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Art Education & Mental Wellness

By Michelle Miserez, VP Franchise Development | April 15, 2026

Mental Health Awareness Month in May focuses on reducing stigma and promoting well-being, with art serving as a powerful, non-verbal tool for healing, expression, and stress reduction. Art school franchises are crucial because they offer accessible, community-based spaces for creative outlets, helping children and adults build resilience, manage emotions, and foster mental wellness. Why Art…

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Art Rocks!

Yes it does! So does Music. And Dance. This Sunday, we bring you all of these live in Englewood at Veterans Park (across from One River School @ 49 N. Dean Street), from 11AM to 5PM. There will be free art & photography workshops, live performances from the talented House Band @ School of Rock Tenafly, free dance workshops from Bergen…

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Meet Liana Shtern

During summer camps at One River, I have a chance to meet new students who are here for the first time and I often walk away completely inspired by them. Sometimes it is their energy, sometimes it is the artwork, sometimes it is their intellect and sometimes it is all of the above. I walked…

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Slow The Brain Train Down

Now that I am post 50, I find myself starting to think more about how precious time is.  Part of the problem is the litany of choices are excruciating: do I watch the game or get caught up on Season Four of Breaking Bad (yes only 4), do I do some work or sort my…

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Winter Blues

Uh oh, I have a subtle feeling that the winter blues are around the corner.  How do I know?  Well, it generally starts with a few signals: sleepier in the AM, drinking way too much coffee, nesting at home on Sundays and finding ridiculous chores to accomplish, sitting in the man cave and watching too…

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Love and Mercy

I saw the movie about Brian Wilson’s life and it is really worth seeing.  There are lots of stories built into the overall theme that shares the struggle Brian Wilson faced dealing with mental disease. It is fascinating how many people with exceptional brilliance also deal with overcoming exceptional personal challenges.  There is something about…

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Student Portfolios

I am often asked “what is the best way to create a great portfolio?” To which my typical answer is “make great art.” It may sound trite but the fact of the matter is, whether it is for high school (Bergen Academies), college or the professional level, the process of creating a portfolio ultimately comes…

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How Much Do We Appreciate Art?

Ok, here is a little quiz. Name three important artists. Generally when I ask this question, people reply with Picasso, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Sometimes they throw in Matisse or others like Rothko, Jackson Pollock and some other post war American artists. Isn’t it amazing when you contrast this question by asking about important musicians? Imagine…

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Summa

I grew up in Queens and have spent a lifetime tying to deal with my New Yawkeese accent. Summer was pronounced “summa” but no matta how you said it every kid knew what it meant.  School was over!!!! OMG—let the fun begin! My summers were largely spent upstate New York and they were undoubtedly amazing….

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Show And Tell

Our student show is this Friday night from 5-8PM and I want to tell you a little story. In a world of distraction and constant noise, it is gratifying to watch our students come here and create with their heart and soul. This Friday, One River students of all ages share their work with the world at One River Gallery and…

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Botanic Revival

OK, I’m about to get on my soapbox.  We have the coolest new exhibition opening this Saturday. Amy Lincoln and JJ Manford are two accomplished, young artists going against the grain…they are doing still lifes and landscapes with a totally new, hip flavor. If you follow contemporary art, today’s trend is all about abstraction. Many of New York’s top galleries…

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