Hunterdon County Commissioners attend 2025 Teen Arts Festival
Program Celebration Themed: “Wizards of Arts!”
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) — Commissioners Zach Rich and Jeff Kuhl joined students, educators, and community members on Wednesday, April 30, for the 2025 Hunterdon County Teen Arts Festival, held at the Route 12 Complex in Raritan Township.
This year’s theme, “Wizards of Arts,” set the stage for a magical celebration of youth creativity and artistic expression.
“Events like this are a great way to celebrate the many talented young people in our community,” said Commissioner Rich, who also serves as liaison to the Cultural & Heritage Commission. “A lot of hard work and extensive planning went into making this event a big success. The Cultural & Heritage Commission, led by Natalie Zaman, should be commended for a job well done.”
The festival, a signature initiative of the Cultural & Heritage Commission’s arts-in-education programming, gave middle and high school students from across Hunterdon County a platform to showcase their talents in visual arts, theater, dance, music, filmmaking, and creative writing. A panel of professional artists and educators led workshops, performances, and critiques, providing students with valuable feedback on their work.
The event was made possible through partnerships with the Cultural & Heritage Commission, Hunterdon County Library, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, county schools, and local nonprofits. This year’s festival drew 765 student participants from 16 schools, along with parents, elected officials, representatives from Hunterdon Health and NAMI Hunterdon, teachers, volunteers, and county staff.
Commissioner Kuhl praised the collaborative spirit behind the event, stating, “This event brings together the best of what Hunterdon County has to offer—a vibrant arts community and a commitment to empowering our youth. The Teen Arts Festival is an inspiring platform for young artists to shine.”
Generous contributions for the festival were provided by the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, ShopRite of Flemington, the Large Foundation, students of Hunterdon County Polytech, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and the Block Online Auction. County departments and divisions also played a key role in supporting logistics before and during the event.
Cultural & Heritage Commission Executive Director Natalie Zaman, who organized the event, said, “It is wonderful to witness the creativity, dedication, and community of our young people. The ‘Wizards of Arts’ theme brought the entire festival to life, while highlighting the transformative power of the arts in shaping lives and building connections.”
