This April, the third annual Autism Art Expo opened a virtual exhibit, showcasing artwork from teens with autism throughout New Jersey.

Del Val students Tommy Bentley, Jackson Schwartz, Kevin Yawger, Travis Oldenburg and Tyler DiBenedetto had artwork featured in the Autism in Action gallery. They submitted their art and were eventually selected to be included, a huge honor for Del Val.

The students were inspired and encouraged to submit their pieces by art teachers Sarah Ruppert and Jason Farnsworth.

“I’m grateful for opportunities like this that celebrate student voice and creativity,” Ruppert said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our students recognized and to share their work with a wider audience.”

Each student submitted a piece from a different medium, including photos, drawings and paintings.

Bentley and Schwartz both submitted photographs, receiving positive recognition for their work. Schwartz’s piece focuses on nature, highlighting the beauty of the world around us.

“We live in a world now where we are always glued to our phones,” Schwartz said. “People aren’t appreciating the Earth as much as they used to back in the day.”

Yawger, Oldenburg and DiBenedetto submitted successful drawings as well, showcasing their creativity and artistic talent.

The exhibit promotes autism acceptance and highlights its impact in the artistic world.

“[The students] bring both energy and meaningful challenges to the classroom,” Ruppert said. “They encourage all of us to reflect on our interactions, language and teaching practices.”