Hilltop school, Target sponsor 29th annual art exhibit, sale

Event Draws Record Crowds Sparta - Hilltop Country Day School partnered with Target to sponsor its 29th Annual Art Exhibition and Sale. The event pulled in record crowds who viewed and purchased art, mingled with artists, and attended an art workshop. The event ran Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, Oct. 13 through 15, and featured local artist Kárin Lowney-Seed while showcasing more than 70 area artists and sculptors. “We’re thrilled at the number of people who turned out for this year’s event,” said Hilltop Country Day School Director of Development Ginnie Avondoglio, “It’s wonderful to be able to expose our community to such a wide variety of art while raising money for the school, and we are very grateful to Target for helping us to do so. Next year is the 30th Anniversary of the Art Exhibition and Sale, and we’re already planning on making it bigger and better than ever--truly a one-of-a-kind event!” This year’s event included an opening reception with the artists on Friday evening, open gallery hours on Saturday and Sunday, an art-focused “scavenger hunt” for children touring the gallery, and a children’s art workshop on Saturday. Melissa Dietz of Lafayette, N.J., who attended Friday evening’s reception says, “It was so much fun! Everyone really seemed to be enjoying themselves, and it was great to actually meet the artists whose work we were viewing.” Kathy Ryersen of Sparta, whose son, Ryan Ryersen participated in the children’s art workshop added, “My son always likes to visit the SoHo galleries when we’re in New York City, so this was a nice opportunity for him to visit a gallery locally.” Sponsorship by Target of the Hilltop Country Day School 29th Annual Art Exhibition and Sale is part of the ongoing support Target provides to local communities throughout the country. Every week Target gives more than $2 million to strengthen families and communities across the nation, with a focus on education, the arts, social services and other vital community partnerships. “At Target, we are making a real difference every day through our sponsorship program,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with Hilltop Country Day School as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.” Hilltop Country Day School, founded in 1967 in Sparta, provides a highly educational, private, independent school choice for families in northern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, and remains Sussex County’s only private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational, elementary day school, serving grades preschool through eighth. Avondoglio said Hilltop Country Day School is committed to providing a family-oriented, nurturing, creative, highly educational environment in which children discover the excitement of learning, develop good study habits, grow in self-esteem and self-confidence, develop sensitivity and respect for the rights and abilities of others, and learn to accept responsibility and meet personal challenges. More about Hilltop Country Day School can be learned by visiting www.hilltopcds.org.