ENRICHING AND TRANSFORMING THE LIFE OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL THROUGH THE ARTS

Upcoming:

 September 23, 2009
 

7:30pm

at
Community Theatre at May Center for the Performing Arts

THE ALLEY CATS

America's premiere DOO WOP Group...

Benefit concert for the Arts Council of the Morris Area's Arts Education Program.

Tight harmonies, universal humor and unbelievable a cappella energy have made the Alley Cats America's premier Doo Wop group. They've worked with Disney, performed at the White House and regularly open for Jay Leno and other national artists.

Tickets: $30 Adults, $15 children under 17
Tickets on sale at www.mayoarts.org or at the Box Office (973) 539-8008

Group Discounts available

 

Ongoing:

 

THE ARTS COUNCIL OF THE MORRIS AREA

PRESENTS A Juried Art Exhibition

N E W   J E R S E Y

GREEN

…asking artists what it means    

Jamie Allen • Danielle Austen

Jean Burdick • Jeanne Campbell • Valerie Coll

Laura Cuevas • Patricia Dahlman • Jessica Demcsak

Todd L.W. Doney• Dan Fenelon • Annette Hanna • Alice Harrison

Chris Kappmeier • Joan Lamensdorf • Maria Lupo • So Yoon Lym

 Gail Mardfin • Leonard Merlo • Arlene Gale Milgram

Harold Olejarz • Robert Richardson • Wayne Roth • John Tetz

 

EXHIBIT DATES:

JANUARY 28-JULY 15

 

Hours: MONDAY-THURSDAY, 10AM - 4 PM
FrIDAY 10am - 1PM

 

Arts Council of the Morris Area

14 Maple Avenue, Suite 301, Morristown, New Jersey 07960   973.285.5115   info@morrisarts.org

 Supported in part by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

14 Maple Avenue is Morristown’s first building to become certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s scale for

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 

CLICK HERE for the Exhibit Catalogue

The Atrium Art Gallery
Current Exhibit May 14 - August 6, 2009

 

 

On May 28, 2009, several hundred enthusiastic people attended the opening of the newest show at the Atrium, featuring works by

    Members of the Blackwell Street Art Center (5th floor)

   John Tetz (Atrium Stairwell areas)

   Members of the Art Association in Roxbury (4th and 3rd floors)

and

    Participants in the Arts Access program at the Matheny School (2nd floor)

 

 
Visitors at the Exhibit Opening; Cheryl Chapin's "Untitled" (acrylic on canvas; Dr. Virginia Butera, Anne Aronovitch, Dick Eger and Kathleen Hofmann discussing the exhibit; Stanley Bednarz acrylic "New York Mets."

         
Views of the stairwell areas with John Tetz' Open O Mobiles, Feather Pieces and Totems; Chris Kappmeier's Oil "Green Umbrella;" Mike Martin's digital work, "Untitled;" Rose Mandala's acrylic "Pleasant Hill Road."

     
Karen Paz's pastel "Lamp Bases," Stairwell area with feather pieces, Virginia Puskar's watercolor "Busy Sunday;" Mike Cornely acrylic, "My Soul;" Annette Hanna's watercolor "Yellow Roses."

     
Darlene Decker's acrylic "The Pear I;" Gerald Tevaras' acrylic,"Purple Sky;" Jason Christie's acrylic "He Man and Masters of the Universe;" Roberta Millman-Ide's mixed media "H20 is Gold;" Nora Winn's watercolor "Dinghies."

 

As of January 2008, at the request of the County Administrator's Office and the Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Arts Council has assumed oversight for planning exhibitions at the Atrium Art Gallery, housed in the Morris County Administration & Records Building on Court Street in Morristown.

The Atrium Gallery is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on view during regular business hours (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday) until August 6th, 2009. 

 

For additional information about the show, please contact the Arts Council of the Morris Area, (973) 285-5115, ext. 10 or Lsiebert@morrisarts.org.       

 

   

NEWSLETTER:

 

Please click HERE to read or download the May-July 08 ARTS MATTERS.
Please click HERE to read or download the Aug.-Oct. 08 ARTS MATTERS.

Please click HERE to read or download the Nov.08-Jan.09 ARTS MATTERS.

Please click HERE to read or download the February-April 09 ARTS MATTERS.

Please click HERE to read or download the May-August 09 ARTS MATTERS.

Hard copies and/or large print versions are available upon request. Please contact the Arts Council at (973) 285-5115 to request same].
 

 

The ARTS and CULTURAL CALENDAR:

is available on this website by clicking "On the Marquee/Arts Calendar"

 

Just Past: 

June 28, 2009

26th Annual Giralda Lawn Concert

 

    
L-R: The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra under Jeffrey Grogan; Avery Benjamin dances to the music; happy crowds with artist tents in background; "Carmen" sings of love and Fate.

 
L-R: Artist Carol Manochio; sculpture by Dan Fenelon; Prize winning Elegant Victorian Picnic; Prizewinning God Bless America Picnic

Vibrant colors, wonderful sights, spectacular sounds, and enthusiastic enjoyment marked the Arts Council of the Morris Area's 26th Giralda Lawn Concert.  Continuing its 26 year tradition of presenting the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in concert on the beautiful lawns of Giralda Farms Corporate Park (the former Geraldine R. Dodge estate), the Arts Council expanded this year's event to include a fine arts and jewelry exhibit, story telling and craft projects for children (and even a vintage Good Humor ice cream truck!).

 
L-R: Vintage Good Humor Truck; Prizewinning Picnic in Provence; Jewelers Studio Guild tent; The Red Hat's Coral Belles Chapter from Chatham

 

L-R: Artist Susan Sumner; 50-40 Raffle winner Suzanne G. Tice with Arts Council Executive Director, Anne Aronovitch; Deaf-Blind Artist Christian S. Markovic displaying his artwork; 50-50 raffle sellers Craig Dodd and Dr. Don Siebert.

Conductor Jeffrey Grogan led the orchestra in a program whose first half featured members of Opera New Jersey performing music from Bizet's ever-popular opera, Carmen,  Gilbert & Sullivan's beloved operetta, The Mikado, Mozart's classic Don Giovanni, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and Rossini's rousing William Tell Overture (Allegro). The singers included Anne-Carolyn Bird (soprano), Kemper Florin (soprano), Cristina Nassif (soprano), Lisette Oropesa (soprano), Ellen Putney-Moore (mezzo-soprano) and Matthew Burns (bass-baritone). After intermission, the program continued with Beckel’s moving "Liberty for All," Lowden’s "Armed Forces Salute," Bernstein/Mason’s "Selections from West Side Story," Ellington/Norris’s "Ellington Medley" and Ward/Dragon’s "America the Beautiful."

Roving picnic judges selected four outstanding picnics  -- awarding generous prizes (theatre tickets, dinners for two, concert tickets, gift certificates, etc.) to the winners. Further excitement accompanied the 50/50 raffle where the lucky winner received a check for just over $1,500! (The remaining 50% goes to support the Arts Council’s scholarship program).

       
L-R: Purple Hat- Coral Belles chapter member; Michele Para

THANKS to our Sponsors:

Open Spaces Management Association          
RXR Property Management LLC
Maersk Inc.
GRC Management Corp.
Wyeth
Daily Record
Kings Super Markets
Morris County Tourism Bureau

       

Thursday, May 14, 2009

CELEBRATE THE ARTS

 
L-R: 2009 Scholarship Winners, pianist Yuqing Meng (Ehlers Scholarship) and Edward "Teddy" Tedholm (Coladarci Scholarship);
2009 winners: Rear L-R: Yuqing Meng (Ehlers Scholarship); Edward Tedholm (Coladarci Scholarship); Jamie Brink-Grant (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ - Special Recognition); David Grant (President & CEO, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation - Outstanding Arts Advocate); Bonnie Monte (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ - Special Recognition; Front L-R: Marty Epstein (Marty's Reliable Cycle - Outstanding Corporation/Business); Anne Kullaf (Outstanding Professional in the Arts); Iris Torres (Arts at Diamond Spring/NJ Foundation for the Blind - Outstanding Arts Organization) and Lori B. Lawrence (Outstanding Arts Educator).
 

On May 14th, in the restored gardens and Gilded Age Mansion at Fairleigh Dickinson University, the Arts Council of the Morris Area held its annual Celebrate the Arts event and presented its 2009 Awards for:

 

Outstanding Arts Advocate: David Grant (President & CEO) and The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Outstanding Arts Organization: The Arts at Diamond Spring/New Jersey Foundation for the Blind Outstanding Corporation/Business: Marty’s Reliable Cycle

Outstanding Arts Educator: Lori B. Lawrence

Outstanding Professional in the Arts: Anne Kullaf
Special recognition: Bonnie Monte/The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

The Arts Council will also introduce the two Arts Scholarship Winners for 2009:
 Pianist Yuqing (Damon) Meng,
winner of the Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship 

Dancer Edward "Teddy" Tedholm,
winner of the Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship

Honorable Mention for the Arts Scholarships:
Mark Micchelli (jazz pianist, composer)
Joshua P. Zimmer (trombonist)

Additional "treats" for the evening include:
A screening of the documentary of Arts Council's Mural Arts Project

An exhibit of works by artists from the Arts at Diamond Spring program of the New Jersey Foundation for the Blind

A brief performance by Ehler's scholarship winner, pianist Yuqing Meng playing Balakirev's Islamey: An Oriental Fantasy

 

Each recipient thanked the Arts Council but, with his customary graciousness, Dodge Foundation President David Grant returned the compliments thus: “Receiving an award for Arts Advocacy from the Arts Council of the Morris Area is a little like having Derek Jeter say he likes your hustle or having Brad Pitt tell you that you are cool looking.” Nearly 200 members of the arts community shared in this heady and exciting celebration of the arts – an evening of tribute to the power of the arts to inspire, heal and teach. Eric Hafen, Artistic Director of the Bickford Theatre, presented the awards.

 

The event was also an occasion to celebrate the future, introducing this year's talented graduating high school seniors who won the Arts Council’s two scholarships. Dancer Edward “Teddy” Tedholm, a Rockaway resident graduating from Morris Hills High School in Rockaway, won the Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship ($1,250) and pianist Yuqing Meng, a graduating senior at Madison High School in Madison, won the Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship ($4,250).  In the fall, Teddy will attend the University of the Arts in Philadelphia on full scholarship and Yuqing will attend the joint program at Harvard and New England Conservatory.

 

Works by visually impaired artists from The Arts at Diamond Spring program of the NJ Foundation for the Blind; Ehlers Scholarship Winner Yuqing Meng at the piano

 

The evening also included an exhibition by blind and visually impaired artists from The Arts at Diamond Spring program, the screening of a short documentary on the Arts Council’s Mural Arts Project and a spectacular performance of Mily Balakirev’s intensely difficult Islamey: An Oriental Fantasy by scholarship winner Yuqing Meng.

 

Additional photos and specific information about the awardees can be found by clicking HERE to learn more about the 2009 Winners.

 The event was sponsored by The MCM Group, Smith Barney  

 

   
L-R: Lesley Parness of the Morris County Park Commission talks with Vice President of the Arts Council, Dick Eger; President and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, David Grant, confers with former Madison Mayor, Ellwood ("Woody") Kerkeslager; Arts Council Board President Alan Levitan with Trustee and event Co-Chair Joen Ferrari; Arts Council Trustee Tim Smith, Conversationalist Roberta Guaspari-Tsvaras; Conversationalist Dr. Emlyn Koster with Jodi Marcus, Executive Director of Children's Community Museum.

On March 26th, nearly 200 individuals enjoyed the Arts Council of the Morris Area's exciting new fund-raising event, Great Conversations, which took place at the beautiful Morristown Hyatt.  With this unique evening, the Arts Council stepped away from high speed electronic interactions, fashion statements and passive entertainment and instead returned to the highly valued art of conversation for a stimulating and delightful evening. The Arts Council brought together a diverse group of accomplished people who have contribute significantly to the vibrancy of our community and who offered a wealth of interests and information as the starting points for great conversations.

      
L-R: Master Chef and Conversationalist Craig Shelton; Arts Council Trustee Lisa Reschaur, Morris County Tourism Director Leslie Bensley, Arts Council Trustee and Development Director of Morristown Partnership, France Della Donne; Wine expert and Conversationalist Gary Fisch; NJ Highlands Coalition Executive Director and Conversationalist Julia Somers with Eric Stiles of the Audubon Society; Newark Museum Executive Director and Conversationalist Mary Sue Sweeney Price, George Jenkins and Arts Council Trustee Toni Jones; Rutgers Professor, author, and Conversationalist, Dr. Clement Price, and Arts Council Trustee Cheryl Ellis; Sculptor and Conversationalist Sassona Norton.

It was an evening full of opportunity to explore new ideas and discover new interests beginning with a reception attended by all the Conversationalists and dinner guests. The reception was followed by a dinner at which each Conversationalist was seated with a number of guests to explore ideas and share thoughts. Everyone was encouraged to participate.

L-R: Arts Council Trustee Emma Joy Dana; Julia Somers in conversation; Hon. Leanna Brown; Mr. & Mrs. Rollins; Eric Stiles enjoys the evening.

Great Conversations also offered the Arts Council the opportunity to demonstrate the connection between the arts and the rest of our world. The arts enrich our lives in multiple ways – as a critical element in our children’s education, stimulating our economy, strengthening our communities, teaching us understanding and providing a source of inspiration and healing.

The stellar 26 host Conversationalists included Dr. J. Michael Adams; "Mr. Ray" -Ray Andersen; Dennis M. Bone; Elizabeth G. Christopherson; Thomas R. Curtin, Esq.; Gary Fisch; David Grant; Roberta Guaspari-Tsavaras; Eric Hafen; Paul Hostetter; Dr. Emlyn Koster; Hon. Thomas H. Kean; John J. Kowalik; William J. Marino; Sassona Norton; John B.A. Nye; Bart Oates; Frank Previte; Dr. Clement Alexander Price; Mary Sue Sweeney Price; Sister Francis Raftery; Craig C. Shelton; Harry Simon; Julia Somers; Frank Sprow; Dr. Robert Weisbuch.

Arts Education Showcase

 March 10-11, 2009

 

CLICK HERE for Showcase Schedule

     

Click HERE for Arts Education registration and membership information

First Night® Morris, December 31, 2008
by Dr. Lynn L. Siebert
 

       

 On December 31, 2008, thousands came to Morristown to usher in the New Year to enjoy five hours of the full power and splendor of the arts at First Night® Morris, New Jersey’s biggest and brightest alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration. Since First Night’s inception 17 years ago, the Arts Council of the Morris Area has served as its artistic programmer, selecting and scheduling hundreds of artists performing in 25 sites throughout Morristown. Representing multiple artistic disciplines, the live performances, exhibits, activities and demonstrations this year range in style from the popular to the classical, from western to world cultures - for all ages, from young child through adult.

    

Top Row (L-R): Morris Choral Society; Pianist Laryssa Krupa; Harmonium Choral Society; Colonial Symphony

 
Middle Row (L-R): Organist Jim Hicks, Lyrica Chamber Music; Duo Fresco (Chris Kenniff & Brett Deubner) ; Coro Lirico conductor Jason Tramm; Early Music Players Liz Cabrera and Kris Lamb

  
            Bottom Row (L-R): New Philharmonic of NJ conductor, Leon Hyman; Solid Brass;  Pianist Francis Covalesky

For those who love CLASSICAL MUSIC, this year’s event offered a veritable feast of talents from which to select: a tribute in memory of world class pianist Alexander Slobodyanik by his "musical family" - his widow and an  outstanding pianist in her own right, Laryssa Krupa, Students and Friends; the polished Colonial Symphony; the opera chorus Coro Lirico, the virtuoso guitar and viola performers of Duo Fresco, pianist Frances Covalesky, the acclaimed a cappella Harmonium Choral Society (with music spanning multiple centuries and cultures); master organist (and bagpiper) James Hicks ; Lyrica Chamber Music (offering light classics); perennial favorite, Solid Brass (with "Musical History Tour of NJ" and brass music from the Middle Ages to the Beach Boys); the popular Morris Choral Society (with a patriotic sing-along); the renowned New Philharmonic of New Jersey Orchestra and the top hits of the Renaissance- through the 18thc. with cellist Liz Cabrera and flutist/recorder player Kris Lamb of The Early Music Players.

     
 L-R: Rio Clemente, the Bishop of Jazz; ; The Aaron Weinstein/Frank Vignola Duo, jazz without boundaries; Bob DeVos jazz guitarist

      
 L-R: The Blaire Reinhard band; reggae/rap band Universal Rebel; Blues singer Bob Beach; The Philadelphia Jug Band.

Aficionados of POP AND JAZZ delighted in the heartstopping jazz piano mastery of "the Bishop of Jazz," Rio Clemente; in the astonishing high velocity, genre-bending virtuosity of the Aaron Weinstein/Frank Vignola Duo (to be joined by bassist, Gary Mazzaroppi and cornet master, Warren Vache); the lush, sophisticated jazz of the Bob DeVos Trio (with Hammond B3 organ); the positively themed rap/reggae band, Universal Rebel; the blues/funk and rock star quality of the highly acclaimed Blaire Reinhard Band (our local gal done good); the blues with the Bob Beach Duo and the fun and frolic of those washboard and kazoo champs, The Philadelphia Jug Band.  

     
L-R: Marco Lienhard playing taiko drum with East Winds Ensemble; The Kleztraphobix klezmer ensemble ; Richard Reiter's Drumming Circle; The Gravikord Duo (Robert Grawi, Pip Klein)

   
L-R: Guy Mendilow; Kenneth Little Hawk; Bonga & the Vodou Drums of Haiti; singer/songwriter Lara Herscovitch; roots singer/lap slide guitarist Pat Wictor

Those with more ECLECTIC MUSICAL TASTES and an interest in WORLD CULTURES thrilled to the thundering taiko drumming, meditative shakuhachi flute and folk/classic dance of traditional & contemporary Japan performed by the East Winds Ensemble; grooved to the syncopated rhythms and haunting middle European Klezmer melodies of the virtuosic and inventive Kleztraphobix (it will be hard not to dance to this music!),  Novices were welcome (and packed the house) to experience West African drumming firsthand with Richard Reiter’s Participatory African Drumming Circle. With Guy Mendilow and his band, they heard one of the world's foremost overtone singers and a group that plays 18 instruments and sings in 6 languages - truly a world music voyage by this highly acclaimed and award-winning ensemble; or they went on a spiritual journey (through music and storytelling) with Native American Cultural Treasure Kenneth Little Hawk (who has performed at The White House, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, in Ken Burns' films, and on TV). Some travelled to Haiti without leaving Morristown with master Haitian drummer Bonga and his Vodou Drums (and dancers, singers) or experienced the unique electronic African-khora-inspired instrument, the Gravikord, with its inventor, musician Robert Grawi. Others savored those literate, laugh-outloud and thought-provoking lyrics of the wonderful (and unique) singer/songwriter Lara Herscovitch; or felt their souls touched by roots singer/songwriter and lap slide guitarist Pat Wictor.

 
L-R: In Good Company, 18thc. dancing; NJTap Ensemble Company Soloists Maurice Chestnut & Jeffry Foote; Flamenco and Spanish Dance with the Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre

DANCE fans also thrilled to this year’s lineup of outstanding talent including world-renowned tap soloist Maurice Chestnut and his colleague, Jeffry Foote, from the NJ Tap Ensemble, dedicated to preserving and
celebrating America's rhythm tap dancing. They had a chance to "Tap" their inner dancers with Maurice and Jeffry; Audiences experienced the passion of fiery flamenco and Spanish dances as performed by members of the Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre. Others, hungering for a true Colonial experience, tried their hands (and feet) at 18thc. court and social dancing with the costumed members of In Good Company!

   
L-R:  Cat Doty, poet; Tara Betts, poet; Dennis Kobray as Bach (Meet the Musicians); James Michael Reilly and Jay Leibowitz perform "Who's On First?" in the original Abbott & Costello classic form and in Shakespearean style; The Harlem Wizards duo demonstrating basketball prowess

Those who love DRAMATIC ARTS/COMEDY/POETRY enjoyed the last verses of the year with prize winning poets Cat Doty and Tara Betts, whose works have received national awards and been included in top anthologies; music lovers went back to the Baroque with Bach as Meet the Musicians' own actor/musician Dennis Kobray stepped into character as the famed composer Johann Sebastian Bach; Many laughs were enjoyed and those who wore their sneakers had a chance to test their skills against three stars from the famed Harlem Wizards; some entered the zany world of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's own Jay Leibowitz and James Michael Reilly as they performed one of the greatest comedic routines of all time, Abbott & Costello's "Who's on First?" in its original form and with a Shakespearean twist (back by popular demand!!).

     
L-R: Kit’s Interactive Theatre with "Cinderella's Fairy Godmother"; Big Jeff (with Mr. Kleiner); Mr. Fish and The Science of Magic;  Kip Rosser and his Theremin

 

L-R; From Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey to Morristown, Will Shaw's "Fun and Funny Juggling Show"; StarFish, world's best rock 'n roll band - for kids!; Transformation Face Painting with Agostino Arts.

CHILDREN OF ALL AGES sang, danced and clapped along with with the guitar, harmonica and kazoo of Big Jeff and Mr. Kleiner; Others made their heads disappear and learned other fantastic illlusions & tricks in The Science of Magic with longtime professional circus performer, Mr. Fish; Still others solved riddles, hid from the giant, and helped Cinderella with Kit’s Interactive Family Theatre's Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, where audience members were cast right into the show! Audiences laughed out loud with the zany, deadpan antics of Ringling Brothers trainer, performer and master juggler/comedian Will Shaw and his Fun and Funny Juggling Act; still others relished the truly unique experience of "Hands On, But Don't Touch..What?" - featuring music/stories/performance art and some hands-on audience participation with Kip Rosser, who appeared at the International Fringe Festival and is considered one of America's top performers on the Theremin - the only instrument played without being touched (and which produces that eerie background music in classic horror films).Attendees danced and sang along with classic rock 'n roll provided by the best rock 'n roll band - for kids, StarFish! or were transformed with the living art of Agostino Arts Transformation Face Painting.  And, of course, many enjoyed The Children’s Fun Festival and traveling street performers who brought the joys of face painting, airbrush tattoos, wizards, magicians, balloon artists, and costumed characters to all the young at heart.

L-R: at the Atrium Gallery: John Tetz's Feather Piece; Hanna Kesselman's Red Still Life; Mike Tesi's Spheres and David Mager's Tow Truck

The VISUAL ARTS were represented with two separate exhibits: Art Upstairs! offers an exhibit of watercolors, oils and Chinese brush paintings by The circle of Friends - artists Medy Bozkurtian, Jill Vondervor-Frank, Rosemary Howlett and Elizabeth (Betty) Weiss on display at the 2^nd floor lobby of the Community Theatre/Mayo Center for the Performing Arts. The Arts Council of the Morris Area presented the Atrium Art Exhibit featuring 4 floors of exhibits with paintings by Laurie Harden and photographs by David Mager (2nd floor), photographs by Ellen Denuto, Mike Tesi and Kadie Dempsey (3rd floor), paintings by Medy Bozkurtian (4th floor), "feather pieces" and "totems" by John Tetz (atrium stairwell) and works by members of the Drew Art Association (5th floor).

The evening ended with not one but TWO rounds of FIREWORKS (one at 9 and one at midnight)- despite the wind and cold -- a fabulous display!! New Year’s Eve never looked so good!!

Please visit www.firstnightmorris.com or check out the blog www.nj.com/morristown/firstnight for more background information about the performances and the excitement of First Night. Our thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers without whom this fabulous night would never happen!!

  

The Arts Council's MURAL ARTS PROJECT

On December 5th, 2008 from 5-7pm, the community joined together at Morristown Neighborhood House to celebrate the completion of the Mural Arts Project and dedication of the newly installed mural. Nearly 150 people attended and had a chance to meet the artist and his family, to honor those people whose support and funding made the mural a reality and to mingle with the many who participated in painting the mural over the last several months. The wonderful buffet, provided by The Hyatt Morristown was an added treat. The Arts Council hopes that both the process of creating a mural, as well as the mural itself, will inspire and energize the community and underscore the value of the arts in our lives. 

Morristown Neighborhood House Mural, three views of installed mural

 

Arts Council Executive Director Anne Aronovitch presents dedication plaque to David Walker, Executive Director of Morristown Neighborhood House; Anne Aronovitch honors supporters before enthusiastic crowd; Morristown Councilwoman Michelle Harris-King with David Walker.

  

Mural Artists Cesar Viveros-Herrera and his wife/muralist Ana Palma; Girl Scouts who painted mural ask for Cesar's autograph; the delicious buffet provided by the Hyatt Morristown

Mural supporter, Marty Epstein, donated space in his bike shop, Marty's Reliable Cycle for public painting sessions over several months - with Paul Miller; Morristown Mayor Cresitello with Hyatt Senior Catering Manager, Carla Angel; Kadie Dempsey, Local Arts Director for the Arts Council (foreground) oversaw the entire Mural Arts Project...shown here with Neighborhood House personnel and supporters of the mural project.

A little history of the project:

The Arts Council of the Morris Area selected Philadelphia artist Cesar Viveros-Herrera for this exciting mural arts residency to create a permanent 35’ x 35’ outdoor mural on the Morristown Neighborhood House building at 12 Flagler Street. The content of the mural was developed by the artist, based on community input and the theme of the Neighborhood House’s mission over more than 100 years to help new immigrants and to foster cross cultural acceptance.

 

Mural painting at the Family Service of Morris County's Time Out Adult Day Care Center at Morris View 

  

The artist Cesar Viveros-Herrera was chosen because of his outstanding reputation and sizeable experience as a mural artist as well as his ability to engage various sectors of the community throughout the mural making process.  A Steering Committee oversaw the mural design process and developed a plan for engaging the community, including local artists and local youth with artistic talent, in the process of the mural “creation.”

 

 

  
Other Murals conceived and executed by Mr. Viveros-Herrera as part of the large scale mural project in the city of Philadelphia

 

The Arts Council launched the project with a tent at the Morristown Fall Festival on September 28, 2008. There, the artist brought several mural panels, inviting public participation in painting the mural.  Even individuals with no artistic talent are able and welcomed to join in painting the panels. During the ensuing months, over 500 people from Scout troops, school groups, participants in Adult Day Care, child day care, residents of Morris View Healthcare Center, members of the Arts Council Staff and Board of Trustees and the community at large participated in the painting efforts. When all 49 panels were completed, the artist installed them on the side of the Neighborhood House building.

L-R: Artist Dorothy Clair at Community Painting Day; Artist Cesar Viveros-Herrera with mural design; Arts Council Board members at work

 

 

L-R: Residents of Morris View Healthcare Center paint with Cesar (Arts Council Executive Director Anne Aronovitch looks on); Morris View Residents with artist, Arts Council and Morris View Staff

 

      Steering Committee Members: 

David Walker, Executive Director, Morristown Neighborhood House

Lashone Murphy, Director of Arts & Recreation, Morristown Neighborhood House

Yvonne Ferise, Morristown Neighborhood House

Rey Caudillo, Executive Director, Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce

Xiomara Guevera, Executive Director, Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs

Councilwoman Raline Smith-Reid

Leanora Gross, Housing Operations Administrator, Morristown Housing Authority

Maria Eugenia Vargas, Program Coordinator, Wind of the Spirit

Paul Miller, Director of Sustainability, Morristown Partnership
Mira Morrison, Coordinator of Art, Music & Technology, Morristown High School

Anne Aronovitch, Executive Director, Arts Council of the Morris Area

Kadie Dempsey, Local Arts Director, Arts Council of the Morris Area

    Funding:

The Arts Council gratefully acknowledges that funding for the Morristown Neighborhood House Mural Arts Project was provided by: Artists & Communities, a program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation made possible by major funding from Johnson & Johnson, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Heinz Endowments, the William Penn Foundation, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; with the generous support of Reynolds Painting Group, LLC, Jay Favia of Elite Corporate Housing, Marty’s Reliable Cycle, The Hyatt Morristown and Thomas DeVita of United Rentals, Piscataway, NJ.

County Freeholders herald Arts and Humanities Week with Proclamation

 
Margaret Nordstrom, Director of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Anne Aronovitch, Executive Director of the Arts Council of the Morris Area holding the Arts & Humanities Week Proclamation; Representatives from the Morris County Arts and Cultural Community show support for the Proclamation (L-R top row: June Van Thoen, Music at Morristown United Methodist Church; Kathy Hobbs, Development Consultant, Community Theatre; Artist David Clair; Ed Kirchdoerffer, Marketing Director, Community Theatre; 2^nd row down – Carrie Fellows, Morris County Heritage Commission; Allison Larena, Executive Director, Community Theatre/Mayo Center for the Performing Arts; Jody Marcus, Executive Director, Community Children’s Museum; 3^rd row down - Nancy Kelner, The Folk Project; Artist Gail Mardfin; 4^th row down – Steve Miller, Executive Director, Morris Museum; Artist Annette Hanna, Blackwell Street Artists; Artist Victoria Starger, Morris County Art Association; Barbara Krajkowski, Executive Director, Women’s Theater Company; 5^th row down – Artist David Derr; Vocalist Laura Hull; Elizabeth Lehmann, Executive Director, New Philharmonic of NJ; Bottom row – Ken Donohue, President, Morris Choral Society; Singer/ storyteller, Ken Galipeau; Anne Aronovitch, Executive Director, Arts Council of the Morris Area (holding Proclamation), Artist Chris Kappemeier and Anne de Graaf, Chief of Interpretation, Morristown National Historical Park.

On October 22, 2008, in keeping with its vision to enrich and transform the life of every individual through the arts, the Arts Council of the Morris Area received a Proclamation from the Board of Chosen Freeholders on behalf of the county’s arts and cultural organizations to mark October 24-31, 2008 as Arts & Humanities Week in Morris County. A former professional ballet instructor herself, Freeholder Director Margaret Nordstrom spoke with passion about the power of the arts and the profound impact of the arts not only in her own life but on lives within the larger community.

Part of the Proclamation states: "The arts and humanities bring people together to share the enjoyment of originality, talent, self-expression, beauty, imagination and to explore what it means to be human…" The Proclamation also urges county citizens to "celebrate and participate in the many outstanding cultural opportunities Morris County has to offer and to honor and support those individuals and organizations that make them possible."

Gathering to support the Proclamation were the following representatives from the arts and cultural communities: June Van Thoen, Music at Morristown United Methodist Church; Kathy Hobbs, Development Consultant, Community Theatre; Artist David Clair; Ed Kirchdoerffer, Marketing Director, Community Theatre; Carrie Fellows, Morris County Heritage Commission; Allison Larena, Executive Director, Community Theatre/Mayo Center for the Performing Arts; Jody Marcus, Executive Director, Community Children’s Museum; Nancy Kelner, The Folk Project; Artist Gail Mardfin; Steve Miller, Executive Director, Morris Museum; Artist Annette Hanna, Blackwell Street Artists; Artist Victoria Starger, Morris County Art Association; Barbara Krajkowski, Executive Director, Women’s Theater Company; Artist David Derr; Vocalist Laura Hull; Elizabeth Lehmann, Executive Director, New Philharmonic of NJ; Ken Donohue, President, Morris Choral Society; Singer/Storyteller, Ken Galipeau; Artist Chris Kappemeier; Anne de Graaf, Chief of Interpretation, Morristown National Historical Park, and Anne Aronovitch, Executive Director, Arts Council of the Morris Area.

The Morris County Proclamation coordinates with the designation of October as national "Arts and Humanities Month," a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America. Coordinated by the organization Americans for the Arts, this represents the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation. From art center open houses to local and county governmental proclamations to banners and media coverage, communities across the United States join together to recognize the importance of arts and culture to citizens’ daily lives.

GIRALDA LAWN CONCERT's 25th Anniversary

For more details on the June 29th event, click here

 

EVENING MUSIC ON THE GREEN
For more details on the June 26th event, click here

 

CELEBRATE THE ARTS
For more details on the May 15th event, click here

 

APRIL ARTS

For more details on the April 5, 2008 event, click here (then scroll down)

 

ANNUAL ARTS EDUCATION SHOWCASE

For more details on the March 2008 event, click here (then scroll down)

ARTS MENTORING PROGRAM at Morristown High School
For details on the 2007-08 school year, click here (then scroll down)

FIRST NIGHT® MORRIS, December 31, 2007
For details on this past First Night's offerings, click here (then scroll down).