As part of the closing-weekend activities for a community exhibition at the Allentown Art Museum, a former Allentown elementary school student returned to the Lehigh Valley to be reunited with artwork he created more than three decades ago as part of a nationwide school art program by Crayola.

James Nangeroni was a third-grade student at Hiram W. Dodd Elementary School in Allentown in 1992 when he painted a colorful creature that was on display as one of more than 50 vintage children’s artworks in the exhibition Dream Makers: A Creative Legacy.

On Saturday, March 1, Nangeroni returned to the Museum to see his painting for the first time since he was a child and be reunited with his work. Now the Director of Robotic Surgery at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, New Jersey, Nangeroni still remembers the inspiration for his creepy creature.

“I’m assuming I saw a preview for Alien 3, as that would have come out that year,” he says. “I’m fairly certain my parents had not shown me any of those movies at nine,” he adds with a laugh.

Presenting Nangeroni with his artwork was a surprise guest: his third-grade art teacher from Dodd Elementary, Cindy Canfield Gunn, shown at left with her former student.

Nangeroni and Gunn were part of a presentation at the Museum that included comments from the Museum’s Director of Education and Public Engagement, Abby Simmons, and Crayola’s Senior Director of Education, Cheri Sterman. Crayola Chief Marketing Officer Victoria Lozano also shared insights on the importance of childhood creativity. The public was welcome to join this celebration of childhood creativity, and refreshments and light snacks were provided.

Also attending the event was the aunt of one of the other Dream Makers artists. Emmaus resident Roxanne Fatzinger picked up the work of her niece, Amber (Groeller) Trimmer, who was also a student of Gunn’s. Watch videos below.

The works in the Museum’s Dream Makers exhibition were selected from Crayola’s vast archives that are stored at the company’s headquarters in Easton, PA. Crayola is sharing the artworks as part of its Campaign for Creativity that is elevating the conversation about the value of childhood creativity to help kids reach their full potential and encouraging adults to nurture that creativity in everyday activities. The Dream Makers exhibition at the Museum closed on Sunday, March 2.

In 1984, Crayola worked with teachers across the country to inspire and celebrate children’s artwork through a program known as Dream Makers. A year later, the first Dream Makers exhibition debuted at the Allentown Art Museum. The nationwide initiative continued for 25 years with artwork displayed in museums, galleries, and office buildings across the country.

“The Allentown Art Museum is incredibly proud to celebrate more than forty years of partnership with Crayola, a collaboration that has been integral to our mission of inspiring creativity and fostering a love for the arts within our community,” says Abby Simmons, the Museum’s Director of Education and Public Engagement.

“We’re excited to once again be sparking imaginations and inspiring self-expression with the Museum, which has been a long-time, valuable partner in celebrating creativity,” says Victoria Lozano, Executive Vice President of Crayola Brand Marketing. “This exhibition aligns with Crayola’s Campaign for Creativity, transporting adults back to childhood, reminding them of the creative moments that impacted their life, and inspiring them to nurture their own children’s creativity.”

James Nangeroni

Roxanne Fatzinger, aunt of Amber (Groeller) Trimmer