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The Morris County Teen Arts Festival will return to the campus of the County College of
Morris (CCM) on Friday, May 16. The day-long festival is expected to bring over 800 middle school and
high school student artists and musicians from Morris County, along with their teachers, to the college
campus to celebrate the arts. In addition to students, the public is invited to view the art
exhibition until Thursday, May 15-Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Each year, the festival is centered on a theme, and this year, the theme is “Art & Consumerism.”
Attendees are encouraged to consider how their form of art and expression is impacted by or through
consumerism.
The festival will start with inspirational words from keynote speaker Anthony Marques.
Regarding the history and art of comic books, Anthony Marques is a leader in the art form. A
graduate of the iconic Joe Kubert School, he began his career working as an editor for publishers DC
Comics and Dynamite Entertainment. A true student of the medium, he was able to bring new and
exciting visions to life as an artist for beloved characters such as Batman, the Green Hornet, and the
Ghostbusters. In addition to working on numerous projects with these companies, he became an
instructor at the Kubert School before eventually becoming president and owner of the institution.
There, he works with instructors to usher in the next generation of comic book creators.
Following the keynote speaker, the day will feature a wide array of activities that are staffed by
CCM faculty, visiting artists, and current CCM students. Students will break out into scheduled
performances, exhibition spaces, and workshops across the college’s campus. The Titan’s Gallery in the
Sherman H. Masten Learning Resource Center (LRC) will feature an exhibition and conversation with
Anthony Marques, while LRC Room 121 will feature an exhibition of student artwork from participating schools throughout the county. High School and Middle School student performers will practice and
present in the Music Technology Building and in Dragonetti Auditorium.
“There is truly something for everyone at this year’s festival,” said Kelly Whalen, chairperson of
the Design and Media Studies Department at CCM. “In addition to the scheduled workshops, many
drop-in happenings will be spread throughout the campus. Wander the marked pathways and you will
find chalk drawing, an interactive post-it note collaboration, presentations, lawn games, and more!”
All activities during the festival will take place on CCM’s campus, 214 Center Grove Road,
Randolph. The festival is sponsored by Morris Arts, whose mission is to engage and build community
through the arts.
For more information about the festival, visit http://www.ccm.edu/teenarts/. Questions can
be emailed to teenarts@ccm.edu
