On Sat., Sept. 24 under a beautiful autumnal sky and seasonal temperatures Apple Pie & Art occurred at Hopatcong High School from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This event, a first for the newly created Hopatcong Creative Arts Council, was a free art show that highlighted four Sussex County professional artists, the talents of Sussex County Community College students, and artwork of Hopatcong Borough Schools from grades Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Brad Guice, New York photographer whose professional career is numbered in decades, gave an in-depth slide show and talk about his commercial career as well as his humanitarian efforts that have taken him to some 70 countries. Other professionals on hand for the day were up-and-coming artist Marki Wolfson, professor at SCCC and artist Julie McWilliams, and Hopatcong High School Art teacher and professional artist Jonathan Rischawy, who raffled off an original piece to the patrons in attendance.

The spectators were treated to hundreds of pieces of original art displayed in the halls of HHS as well as live music by Vernon native Jordan Pantaleo who entertained by playing acoustic guitar and singing in the high school’s outdoor courtyard next to a lovely and educational koi pond.

In addition to the art presented, children of all ages were encouraged to create art, both with an instructor, Madeline Young, and on a “Children’s Wall” mural with markers provided for passers-by to leave their mark. Vendors were located outside in the courtyard for people to pick up artsy treasures after they had their free piece of fabulous apple pie.

The Hopatcong Creative Arts Council was the brainchild of Hopatcong Mayor Sylvia Petillo who assembled a group of art-loving residents within the borough and county whom she felt would bring her ideas to light. Petillo, along with her fellow HCAC members, is thrilled with the first outing and looks forward to expanding the HCAC’s calendar of events moving forward.