NJ Teen Arts State Tour Features "Hive Mind" “Hive Mind,” a porcelain piece created by recent Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate Dante Cioffoletti, has been selected for the New Jersey Teen Arts Touring Exhibition. “Hive Mind” will be on exhibit throughout Monmouth County for a year. “I created ‘Hive Mind’ in my RFH art class, working from the prompt ‘Skulls and Bones,’” said Dante Cioffoletti. “The skull is porcelain, and made with real dead bees from my friends bee farm.”
Outstanding Performance in Fine Arts, and the Tom Regan Art Scholarship. “I love the art program at RFH, it has taken me in and pushed me to all of my successes,” Dante said. “It’s challenging, thought-provoking, and – most importantly – a family. I would like to thank the entire art program, but especially Ms. Okeson and Mrs. Lanfrank. They’ve done incredible work for me, and given me a confidence in my artwork that I never had before.” Although his plan is to study ceramics at RISD, Dante says that could be subject to change.
Dante, who plans to attend the highly selective and prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), was recently chosen for the honor of receiving the RISD Annual Art Award. Each year, a select number of secondary schools with noteworthy programs are invited by the President of RISD to nominate an accomplished artist from their senior class for this award.
”RISD requires all freshmen to take a foundation year, where we take a class in a bit of every media, and where a lot of students change their direction,” he said. “My plan for now is to study ceramics at RISD, but I’m open to any path I fall in love with.”
At the recent RFH Senior Awards ceremony, Dante was presented with the RFH Fine Arts Department Achievement Award for
18-year-old Dante is a native of Fair Haven. His parents are Mary McBride and John Cioffoletti.
ABOVE: Recent RFH graduate Dante Cioffoletti will attend the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, and was selected to receive the RISD Annual Art Award. He stands next to “Hive Mind,” which was selected by the NJ Teen Arts Touring Exhibition.
Rocky Needs a Home It’s 9 o’clock on a Tuesday and Rocky is curled up in a makeshift nest consisting of a blanket, pillow and the crook of his foster mom’s knee. For the time being, he is comfortable, happy and safe. He wasn’t always. Like so many rescue dogs, Rocky had a rough start in life, and his was crueler than most. In the fall of 2015, his former owners locked him in a crate, took him out into the woods and left him. Fortunately, he was discovered - emaciated, dehydrated and covered in ticks - and was brought to the Monmouth County SPCA. The SPCA’s staff slowly brought him back to physical health but his trust in humans remained severely damaged. 54
For weeks, a shelter volunteer sat patiently and quietly with Rocky every day, and a small flicker of trust began to emerge. It took time. It’s still taking time. Even after weeks of progress, the smallish pittie, white and tan with permanent puppy eyes, was too scared to go on the adoption floor. Too much noise, too many people. A new solution was needed, so Rocky entered a foster home. Once in his dog-friendly foster home, Rocky was able to follow the lead of his new siblings, and his anxiety slowly began to subside. Not long after moving in, he joined his new family on the couch. Then he tried curling up in bed for the night. Over the course of a year, he became a complete member of the household, playing fetch in the yard, walking on the beach, and snuggling with his pack on winter nights. Rocky is happiest following his humans around, rolling around in the grass and waiting patiently for a late night snuggle.
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com
Two years after going to live there, he has made incredible strides. But Rocky is still a work in progress, which has made finding a permanent home for him difficult. He needs a family that can provide an understanding and low stress environment, and continued training to combat his anxiety. Rocky is fully house trained, loves car rides, and is happily crated when his people go to work. He’s lived with dogs and cats alike, but can also be happy on his own. He is still shy and anxious when meeting strangers (dogs or people) or leaving the house. While small in stature, Rocky can be highly spirited so should not be in a home with small children. Rocky may not ever be entirely at ease with the world, but he is a sweet and special soul who deserves to find his forever home. If you’re interested in meeting Rocky, please contact the MCSPCA at 732.542.5962. To learn more about Rocky, visit monmouthcountyspca.org/rocky.