Perhaps the finest scholastic artist in New Jersey once again resides at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
And this is no waggish notion.
Lucia Bolle, a sophomore at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, was honored during a ceremony on Thursday afternoon, May 29, when she received the 2025 Art Administrators of New Jersey (AANJ) Visual Art Student Achievement Award as well as the Governor’s Award in Arts Education.
This elite ceremony was performed in the Bridgewater-Raritan High School auditorium, where New Jersey State and school district officials, as well as family members and high school administrators, staff and students were in attendance.
Lucia’s fellow Art students were excused from class, and they assembled in the auditorium seats to support their fellow schoolmate.
High School Principal Dan Hemberger opened the festivities with a welcome, while Matt McCarthy, the Supervisor of Arts Education for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, introduced the guests.
On hand to present a medallion, a check worth $250, a certificate, and a proclamation from New Jersey Gov. Murphy were Margaret El, the Executive Board Member of the AANJ, Alisha Sheth of the Arts Ed NJ Program and Outreach Coordinator, and Shea Murray, the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Education.
Joining Principal Hemberger and Mr. McCarthy were Superintendent Bob Beers, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Dr. Dan Fonder, Board of Education President Steve Singer, Board of Education member Barry Walker, Jason Mauriello, the Director of 21st Century Learning and Data Analysis for the school district, Assistant High School Principal Damian Storey, and Sarah Nasson, Lucia’s Art Teacher.
The audience also included one proud mother, Ana Bolle.
Lucia’s prestigious honor completed a hat trick for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.
Before Lucia earned this achievement for 2025, Crystal Zhang received the Visual Art Student Achievement Award in 2023, and Sharanya Ram was the recipient in 2024. Each of those two students was a senior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School when honored.
Lucia became a candidate to become the third straight Bridgewater-Raritan High School artist to win this elite award when her work titled “The Show” was selected as a finalist for the Governor’s Award when the AANJ sponsored its 36th Annual Emerging Artists Art Show at the James Howe Gallery on Kean University’s campus on Sunday, January 28.
It was during that exhibit at the college in Union when Ms. El realized that she had seen a winner.
“When we (AANJ) hung up Lucia's artwork in the gallery, everyone said ‘look at this,' '' Ms. El recalled.
That recognition placed Lucia in contention with an estimated “35 to 50 other students,” who were in contention for the Governor’s Award, according to Ms. El.
The finalists, including Lucia, then submitted a portfolio of their pieces.
That portfolio sealed the deal for Lucia.
“Her technique and the way she used the lighting,” Ms. El said about the skills that boosted Lucia to the top of an impressive list of student artists.
Mr. McCarthy spoke highly of her work ethic and determination.
“When you look at Lucia's work, you may first notice her technical skill—and it is considerable. You may be drawn to the beauty she creates or the power of her images. But I ask you instead to recognize the courage in her work,” he stated. “The courage of someone who has learned to trust her vision, who has developed the discipline to translate that vision into reality, and who has found the strength to share her most authentic self through her art. This is what makes Lucia not just a skilled artist but an inspiring one.”
Mr. McCarthy concluded:
“I am honored to have Lucia as part of our arts community here in Bridgewater-Raritan. Not because of this recognition today, significant as it is, but because of her ongoing bravery to create.”
Ms. Nasson felt fortunate that she will have two more years of teaching Lucia.
“I am so proud of Lucia for all of her many accomplishments, and because she is a sophomore, I am even more thrilled that I get to see her for the next two years to see what else she can do,” Ms. Nasson claimed.
Lucia, who revealed that she became seriously involved in an artwork when she was “about 12 or 13,” thanked the audience for attending.
“I am appreciative and always grateful that we have a fantastic art community,” she said.
Her mom, Ana Bolle, was asked how proud she was after the ceremony.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say a 20.”
Below is Lucia’s winning portfolio that was submitted to the AANJ.
Lucia Bolle
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
Art Teacher: Sarah Nasson
Art Supervisor: Matthew McCarthy
#01: “Anguish”, colored pencil, graphite, & charcoal, 15 x 17, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#02: “Avoidance”, acrylic, 18 x 24, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#03: “Bug Mafia”, acrylic, 17.5 x 17.5, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#04: “Guilt & Regret”, acrylic, 16 x 20, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#05: “The Show”, acrylic, 21.5 x 29.5, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#06: “Loneliness & Longing”, acrylic, 24 x 18, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#07: “Nostalgia”, acrylic, 21 x 29, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#08: “Shock”, acrylic, 15 x 20, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#09: “Sorrow”, colored pencil & alcohol marker, 22.5 x 18, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
#10: “Subordination”, acrylic, 21 x 14.5, L Bolle, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School