From now through January 8, 2012, local art lovers can see what students in three local high schools are up to in their Advanced Placement in Studio Art classes in FRESH 4.0 at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center.

Over 50 works of art created by students from Columbia High School in Maplewood/South Orange, Arts High School in Newark and Governor Livingston High School in Berekley Heights grace the walls of the gallery in Maplewood.

In its fourth year, the annual show, curated this season by 1978 board member Onnie Strother, serves an important purpose.

"The kids get to see what the other AP's are doing," says Strother. "It helps them get ideas for their portfolios." Strother would like next year's show to include even more students from more schools to make the show "a little more like a metro show."

The AP Studio Art gives highly motivated students a chance to work at the college level. There are no exams or tests. The students are graded on their year-end portfolio. The portfolio must show quality, breadth and an in-depth engagment in the process of making art.

All three AP Studio Art teachers are extremely accomplished artists. Larry McKim from Columbia High School, Neal Korn from Governor Livingston High School and Fausto Sevica from Arts High in Newark. Korn and Sevica are Dodge Fellows — Korn in 2000 and Sevica in 1994.

All three teachers were on hand for the opening as well as quite a few of the students and their parents.

"I am very proud of them," said Korn of his students.