I’m Judith Chabra, the art teacher at St. Matthias School.  I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York and grew up on Long Island.  I have lived in Connecticut and moved to New Jersey over 40 years ago.  This is my 34th year teaching at SMS.

I have a BFA in commercial art/advertising design, NJ K-12 art teacher certification, and an MA in liberal studies that focused on art history and women’s studies, primarily women fiber artists.

Before becoming an art teacher, I worked as a photographer for the American Photograph Corporation and in advertising, design and promotion for Charlton Publications which included comics such as Popeye and Hanna- Barbera characters and magazines such as Hit Parader, Find-a-Word and Surfer. 

I am married and have two sons and 3 grandchildren.  I also have a parrot named Emmett. I’ve traveled to half of the United States including Hawaii and Alaska and visited around 10 European countries.  I’ve been to the Galapagos Islands, Cuba, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Ecuador and quite a few other locations.  My most exciting trip was to Kuna Yala (off the coast of Panama) to meet some of the women artists who create molas, which are intricate applique style fabrics.

I have exhibited my art in my local cultural arts show a few times.  I also participated in a group project with artists I met through a course in MoMA. Our collaborative artistic efforts are in book form at the Brooklyn Art Library.

It is my sincere pleasure to share my love of the visual arts with the students of St. Matthias School.