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Extra, Extra Read All About
It:
MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS
Free Outdoor World Music Concert Series, 2010
June 15, 2010: 12:15-1pm on the Morristown Green
"Transcendent, hypnotic, haunting" are the terms applied to the
tambin flute whose unique tone quality blends with kora (plucked harp) and
balafon (African xylophone), bringing the sound of West Africa to
Morristown. Members of the group performed a special preview concert
when Carnegie Hall's new Zankel Hall opened in 2003 and continue to earn
critical acclaim for their outstanding work.
June 29, 2010: 12:15-1pm on the Morristown Green
A native of Antigua and graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Conroy Warren has performed internationally with some of the top names in Caribbean music. Currently, he plays with the Melvin Dean Ensemble, Coastal Zone and Rhythm Nation in addition to teaching and conducting music and cultural workshops throughout the tri-state area.
July 13, 2010: 6-7pm on The Community Theatre Plaza
Featuring keyboard, Latin percussion and voice, "The Blind Boys of the Neighborhood" (most of whom are legally blind) perform Merengue, Bachata, Salsa, Cumbia, Reggaeton and Rock in both English and Spanish. They have enjoyed major hits, including a #1 hit on the former MP3.com website. In 2007, Los Ciegos Del Barrio's tracks were featured on "Sound in Sight Volume 1," a compilation sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind which features different blind artists from around the USA.
July 27, 2010: 6-7pm on the Community Theatre Plaza Internationally acclaimed, The East Winds Ensemble has presented its dramatic and highly athletic taiko drumming, and powerful Japanese fue flute performances in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Symphony Space and Lincoln Center as well as sol-out houses in Russia and Europe. We hope you will spend a lunch time or early evening with us, savoring the sounds and sampling the world’s cultural richness right here in Morristown!
June 27, 2010 GIRALDA 2010 Music and Arts Festival
Start the summer right by attending with the Arts Council of the Morris Area's fabulous Giralda Music and Arts Festival on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Held in Madison, NJ on the gracious lawns of Giralda Farms Corporate Park (the former Geraldine R. Dodge estate), this event features a spectacular outdoor concert by The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Jeffrey Grogan, and featuring soloists from Opera New Jersey (Inna Dukach, Ava Pine, Andrew Garland and Batthew Boehler), the program will include selections from
Guonod's
In addition, there will be an art/show and sale, an alternative rock/folk band, children's activities, various arts demonstrations (for adults and for children), a weaving demonstration, face painting, the annual picnic contest (with prizes of dinners for two, show tickets, concert tickets, etc.) along with ice
Bring your friends, families, classmates,
neighbors or come by yourself to help welcome summer with the Arts
Council in this fun and very affordable way! All proceeds benefit the many programs and services provided to artists, arts organizations, schools and the community by the Arts Council of the Morris Area.
For more information: Check this website (www.morrisarts.org)
for updates or call (973) 285-5115, ext. 18 for updated, detailed information.
To speak to our Administrative Program Assistant, contact
kbecker@morrisarts.org or call
(973) 285-5115, ext. 14.
Back by popular demand, this year's Great Conversations took place March 25, 2010 at The Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Rd., Morristown
BE SURE TO SAVE THE DATE
FOR NEXT YEAR'S GREAT CONVERSATIONS: Great Conversations is the Arts Council of the Morris Area's fund-raising event - an unforgettable evening of fine dining and stimulating conversation, connecting leaders in the arts with prominent individuals from all walks of life who contribute to creating our vibrant community. This year's event introduced 29 dynamic and accomplished individuals from the arts, medicine, sports, business, and education to 200+ enthusiastic and influential Arts Council supporters. Our 2010 Host Conversationalists included the following distinguished invidiuals:
Peter Keller (Owner, The Madison Hotel)
Valerie Sinclair (New Jersey Food Critic) Don Jay Smith (Executive Director, New Jersey Hall of Fame) Eric Stiles (Chief Operating Officer & Vice President, Conservation & Stewardship, New Jersey Audubon) Dr. Joseph A. Trunfio (President & CEO, Atlantic Health) Marc Van Cauwenbnergh (Abstract Artist) Richard Vezza (Publisher, The Star-Ledger) John C. Weber (Chief Creative Officer/Principal, J. Weber Design, LLC) Nina Mitchell Wells, Esq. (former Secretary of State of New Jersey) Dr. Edward J. Yaw (President, County College of Morris). This
year's GREAT CONVERSATIONS was generously sponsored by Here are some scenes from this year's Great Conversations.... March 25, 2010
L-R: Conversationalists Dr. Grant V.S. Parr, Joseph Goryeb, Valerie Sinclair and Dr. Joseph A. Trunfio; Drs. Susan and William Neigher flanking Conversationalists Lawrence P. Goldman; Guests Shirley Zitomer and friends; Co-Chair Peter Mancuso with Conversationalists Allison Larena and Joseph Goryeb.
For additional information about the exhibits, please contact the Arts Council of the Morris Area, (973) 285-5115, ext. 10 or Lsiebert@morrisarts.org. Annual
Arts & Humanities Proclamation County Freeholders herald Arts and Humanities Week with Proclamation
On October 14, 2009 in keeping with its mission to bring the arts to the center of community life, 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 17-24, 2009 as Arts & Humanities Week in Morris County. Freeholder Director Gene Feyl presented the Proclamation to Anne Aronovitch, Executive Director of the Arts Council on behalf of arts and humanities organizations in Morris County. 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."
First Night® Morris County
 World class artists came to Morristown on New Year's Eve at FIRST NIGHT® MORRIS COUNTY
 
For those who love CLASSICAL MUSIC, this year’s event offered a veritable feast of talents from which to select: the superlative Duo Cantiga, featuring soprano Katherine Harris and guitarist Christopher Kenniff (in a delicious program including music of Dowland, Brahms and Granados), the acclaimed a cappella Harmonium Choral Society ; the virtuoso pianist Laryssa Krupa (with soprano and clarinettist friends); organist James Hicks ; the well known Masterwork Chorus; the polished Lyrica Chamber Music; perennial favorite, Solid Brass (with "Where in the world is Solid Brass" and brass music from the Middle Ages to the Beach Boys); the award-winning Hickory Tree Chorus (women's barbershop group), the renowned New Philharmonic of New Jersey Orchestra; and Music from the time of Columbus with the Early Music Players.
L-R: Rio Clemente, the Bishop of Jazz; Stephane Wrembel, gypsy jazz guitar; The Aaron Weinstein, jazz violinist (with Tedd Firth on piano); Aficionados of POP AND JAZZ delighted in the heartstopping jazz piano of "the Bishop of Jazz," Rio Clemente; experience awe at the astonishing high velocity, genre-bending virtuosity of guitarist Frank Vignola and his Trio (whom Les Paul called one of the top five in the world); tap their toes with the Dixieland and hot jazz of The Dixie Rascals; groove to the hot version of the American Songbook interpreted by jazz violin wizard Aaron Weinstein (of NPR fame) with pianist Tedd Firth; savor the moody blues of the father/son duo, Beaucoup Blue; rejoice in the New Orleans zydeco, funk and rock by The VooDUDES; and appreciate the sultry blues/funk and rock star quality of the highly acclaimed Blaire Reinhard Band (our local gal done good); while James L. Dean’s big band swing (with vocalist Patti Dunham) – provides just the right music for dancing in the New Year.  
 L-R: The Russian Duo; Rich Reiter’s African Drumming Circle; The Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch; folk singer/songwriter Spook Handy (photo by Econosmith).
Those with more ECLECTIC MUSICAL TASTES and an interest in WORLD MUSIC and DANCE will thrill to the stirring sounds and formations of the Atlantic Watch Pipe and Drum Band (modeled on Scotland’s fabled Black Watch) and the virtuosity of Russian folk instrumentalists Tamara Volskaya with Anatoliy Trofimov of The Russian Duo; Novices were welcome to experience West African drumming firsthand with Richard Reiter’s Participatory African Drumming Circle. Others enjoyed the unique experience of a lesson in Balinese dance provided by the BALAM Balinese Dance Theater which will perform not only a classic E. Asian epic but also humorous blend of hip hop and traditional Balinese dance. Some savored Irish and Indian cultures with the Niall O’Leary Irish Dance Troupe’s traditional Irish step dancing or The Bells of India’s exquisite South Indian classical dance. Music lovers traveled back to the Classical Era with Beethoven, as Meet the Musicians' own actor/musician Dennis Kobray steps into character as the famed composer himself. Amazement accompanied virtuoso Matt Sullivan, electro-acoustic oboist, who produced sounds you never thought you’d hear from an oboe. Others savored the sweet, poignant and pointed lyrics and melodies of Americana/folk singer–songwriter Spook Handy. 
 L-R: Meeting of the Macabre, with readings of Poe and Stoker; Dennis Kobray as Beethoven (Meet the Musicians); Naomi Miller (Love, Marriage, Children, and Liposuction); Faustwork’s The Mask Messenger; The Harlem Wizards duo demonstrating basketball prowess Those who love DRAMATIC ARTS/COMEDY/FILM shared a last laugh of the year with Naomi Miller’s music/comedy program, Love Marriage, Children and Liposuction while those who treasure classic horror couldn't miss Meeting of the Macabre where "Edgar Allen Poe" and "Bram Stoker" read from their spooky masterworks, The Tell Tale Heart and Dracula. Those seeking exercise wore their sneakers and tested their skills against three stars from the famed Harlem Wizards or just gott tired watching MOMIX and Pilobolus veteran Tim Latta change identities in his tour de force theatre piece, The Mask Messenger. For those who craved a calmer night, the Bickford Theatre offered a double feature of two favorite films for New Year’s Eve, The Apartment (with Jack Lemmon) and When Harry Met Sally (with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal).
 L-R; Kit’s Interactive Theatre, Grace, the Irish Pirate; Carol Titus and Ken Galipeau, master storytellers; Patrick Garner’s American Adventure with Lewis & Clark; Sadecky’s Puppets in Castlemania. CHILDREN OF ALL AGES learned science as longtime professional circus performer Mr. Fish juggled eggs, threw boomerangs and cracked whips in Phenomenal Physics. Some headed for the high seas, challenged Blackbeard and sang sea shanties with Kit’s Interactive Family Theatre's Grace, the Irish Pirate, (where audience members were cast right into the show)! Audiences laughed out loud at the zany antics of robot monkeys and Ringling Brothers clown, juggler and magician, John Hadfield and his Monkeys in the House. Rapunzel got a new twist with Keith Torgan and Barbara Seisel’s Green Golly and her Golden Flute while storytellers Carol Titus and Ken Galipeau transported their audiences into new worlds with their words. The hardships and excitements of Lewis & Clark’s groundbreaking explorations came alive with TV veteran Patrick Garner while Sadecky’s whimsical and humorous puppets blended multiple classic fairy tales in Castlemania. New teen talents in music, poetry and other arts were on display at the Teen Coffeehouse and, for the younger set, The Children’s Fun Festival and traveling street performers brought the joys of face painting, airbrush tattoos, wizards, magicians, balloon artists, stilwalkers and costumed characters to all the young at heart.
The VISUAL ARTS were represented with two separate exhibits: Art Upstairs! offers an exhibit entitled Show Stoppers: Contours, Colors and Contrasts with works by Jenny Reinhardt, Laurie Kalb, Becky Santora, Carol Magnatta and Dannielle Mick. A second exhibit, presented by The Arts Council of the Morris Area at the Atrium Gallery (floors 2-5 of the County Administration and Records Building), features works by Latin American Artists (from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Spain) - on the 2nd floor, by realist artist Charles Newman and members of the Hope House art program - on the 3rd floor, by photographer George M. Aronson, botanical artist Mindy Lighthipe and Italian artist Gianluca Bianchino – on the 4th floor and works by members of the Drew Art Association – on the 5th floor. The evening also included TWO rounds of FIREWORKS (one at 9 and one at midnight). Our thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers without whom this fabulous night would never happen!! |
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Third Saturdays at Morris
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Celebrate the
Arts, Awards Event
May 13, 2010 May We Have the Envelope Please? Arts
Council of the Morris Area announces Awards at CELEBRATE THE ARTS On May 13th, 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 2010 Awards for Outstanding Arts Advocate: Dr. Virginia
Fabbri Butera; Outstanding Arts Organization: The Community
Children’s Museum; Outstanding Corporation/Business: The
Star-Ledger; Outstanding Arts Educator/School: Roxbury High School;
and Outstanding Professional in the Arts: Maria Lupo. The event
was sponsored by The MCM Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. 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. Elizabeth Christopherson, President and CEO of The Rita Allen Foundation,
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. Ballroom and
Latin Dancer Daniel Knapp, a Morristown resident and valedictorian of his
graduating class at Morristown High School, won the 2010 Elaine Ehlers Arts
Scholarship ($4,500). Operatic soprano Alessandra Altieri, a resident of
Randolph graduating from Randolph High School, won the Eugenie Coladarci Arts
Scholarship ($1,250). Operatic tenor, Thomas Carle, also a graduating senior at
Randolph High School, won Honorable Mention. In the fall, Daniel will be
attending Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA and Alessandra will be attending
the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Thomas will be heading for an
opera program at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. The evening also included
video presentation of award-winning Roxbury High School’s mural art project, a
video of Ehlers Scholarship winner Daniel Knapp dancing the Viennese Waltz (with
teacher/partner Adriana Chessa) in a 2009 Showcase performance and a live
performance by Coladarci Scholarship winner, Alessandra Altieri of Mozart’s
Un Moto Di Gioia and Copland’s Laurie’s Song, accompanied by Evelyn
McNair. It was truly a night to be inspired!
Additional photos:
Texts of Award Speeches: The Josephine Margetts
Award 2010 OUTSTANDING ARTS ORGANIZATION AWARD Currently celebrating its fifth anniversary, this wonderful organization is centrally located in Dover and serves not only Morris County children but children from throughout Northern New Jersey. Its programs are inventive, engaging and highly innovative and inspiring to young minds on many levels. At the museum itself, a child can visit the Van Gogh Bedroom Exhibit, learning about the artist’s life and art. They can draw in the drawing studio just like Van Gogh did when he was in art school…and can even walk into a life size reproduction of his famous bedroom painting and get a sense of what it was like to live in the 1800s. At the Clay Heads Exhibit, children can create their own sculptures, while, at the Little Theatre, they can sing, talk, dance, dream and dress up to perform on the stage and see themselves on the big screen TV. The Homes Around the World Exhibit allows children to explore what it would be like to live in another part of the world or learn another culture. They can even climb into a full scale replica of John Glenn’s Friendship 7 Space Capsule and pretend they are astronauts taking a ride to outer space. The Museum’s outreach programs include a Hospital Pediatric Art Program (since 1998) which provides sick children with a way to express themselves creatively while in the hospital. Another is a Space Exploration Program that brings a dynamic presentation to a variety of venues to excite children about science and space. The Museum also offers an outstanding special needs program and has worked hard to make its services and site accessible to those with different abilities. Diane Gagliardi of the Early Childhood Learning Community of NJ (offering services/schooling for the learning disabled) writes, " ..The teachers and students were delighted with the hands-on exhibits. Your guides were knowledgeable, organized and extremely patient with our students…." and the Special Children’s School (Sparta, NJ), added, "…the visit to the museum stands out as a special one for our students…Your museum gave our students varied opportunities to see, hear, and touch, fostering a multi-sensory approach to learning. Your staff was attentive, caring and respectful of our students and their special needs…." The Community Children’s Museum has also partnered with the Girls Scouts of Northern New Jersey to offer quality badge programs to thousands of Girl Scouts in the region. According to Laurie Howell of the Girl Scouts, the Museum’s "programs are thoughtful, creative and inspiring …Of all the dozens of organizations and museum that I work with, I would say that the commitment the Community Children’s Museum exhibits is outstanding…." Marlene Martell, a teacher in the Morris School District states, "There are few other organizations that offer such high quality experiences for children in this area…" and El Primer Paso, a nonprofit community-based preschool in Dover, adds, "The variety of quality visual and performing arts exhibits and programs the museum offers preschool children fills an important need in the community," and a parent wrote: "It is our home away from home and we are so grateful that we have such a wonderful resource in our area." Multiple testimonials from community leaders, educators, and families paint a vivid portrait of an institution whose visionary offerings and dedicated staff bring the gift of the arts to thousands of children. One grandparent called the Museum "really remarkable, vibrant" and added, "Messages about art, messages about diversity, messages about nature, science and nutrition are only some of those conveyed at the Museum…The Community Children’s Museum is without peer." Therefore, for its inspired presentation of the arts, culture and learning, for its extraordinary outreach programs, for its dedication to access for all and for its caring and sensitive staff, the Arts Council of the Morris Area is proud to present the Community Children’s Museum with the 2010 Outstanding Arts Organization Award. The Joyce Talbot Award Roxbury High School "Compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer. According to Webster’s Dictionary compassion means a feeling of sympathy for another’s misfortune. My definition of compassion is forgiving, loving, helping, leading and showing mercy for others. I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go." These words were from a high school essay written by Rachel Scott, the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation of a school program presented across the country in schools and community centers by Rachel’s father. In his presentation, he asks students to be leaders not only to express compassion for others but to accept "Rachel’s Challenge" and "think good thoughts, say kind words, do good deeds, start a chain reaction". After experiencing this powerful program at their school, the art students at Roxbury High School embarked on a creative response to "Rachel’s Challenge". Through an artist’s residency, the students worked with "Spiritree" artists, Marco Giammetti and Carol Hendrickson, to create the design for a mural. Starting with discussions and reviewing artists and styles ranging from Australian aborigine art to works by Miro, Kandinsky and Keith Haring, they soon realized what inspired them most was the work of Dan Fenelon, a local contemporary muralist whose work they were able to experience firsthand at the Montclair Art Museum. Brainstorming led to constant refining and reconfiguration by as many as 60 art students. Senior Christian Peslak who was already working in a style very similar to Dan’s, came up with the chain design central to the mural. The links of the chain are faces and outstretched arms which say "think good thoughts, say kind words, do good deeds". Other students’ images, lettering styles and ideas were incorporated into the mural design and border. Together, the art students at Roxbury High School achieved a mural design, expressing their vision of how communities can live together in a spirit of compassion. Choosing to have this mural installed outside on the façade of the school speaks to their desire to communicate their message publicly. These students and their teachers have created art that matters – art that speaks out – a stunning piece of art work. We’d like to share with you a short presentation about the creation of this mural, so sit back and enjoy this outpouring of joyous creativity. (video presentation) As you can imagine, for a work of art of this scale (32 feet by 16 feet) and quality to be accomplished in a high school setting is amazing. It was made possible by: 1. An outstanding art department which not only encourages student skill development but, at Roxbury High School, also has six dedicated art teachers who are willing to initiate meaningful, labor-intensive special projects (such as this mural), over and above their regular duties. 2. An administration that values and supports the arts as an integral part of education, supporting the teachers, students and teaching artists in their endeavors. The Rachel’s Challenge mural was the second mural that the "Spiritree" artists created with the Roxbury high school students. Last year, through another artists’ residency, the students created a large mural with the theme of "Past, Present and Future of Roxbury". 3. Talented, motivated art students who were willing to put many other activities "on hold" to undertake and complete a project such as this mural. Perhaps the single most important factor was the ability of everyone -- students, teachers, administration, "Spiritree" artists, Dan Fenelon -- to work collaboratively. Everyone contributed their time, their ideas and their talents in the spirit of communal art-making. The Roxbury High School artists set off their chain reaction working together in Rachel’s spirit: acceptance, peace, kindness, friendship and compassion. Therefore, for their exceptional commitment to promoting the arts, for dedicating resources and staff for large scale creative projects and for providing an atmosphere where students can successfully undertake such bold and unique projects, the Arts Council of the Morris Area is proud to recognize Roxbury High School with the 2010 Joyce Talbot Award for an Outstanding School. The Robert Maass Award The Star-Ledger From its modest beginnings as the Newark Daily Advertiser in 1832, The Star-Ledger merged with other papers and grew to become the newspaper with the largest circulation in the state of New Jersey. Known for quality reporting, The Star-Ledger received the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting in 2005 for its comprehensive and thorough coverage of NJ Governor McGreevey’s resignation. Previously, The National Press Foundation named then-editor Jim Willse its 1999 recipient of the George Beveridge Editor of the Year Award in recognition of the Ledger’s coverage of racial profiling by NJ State police. However, what most people may not realize is that, throughout its distinguished history, The Star-Ledger has been a steadfast supporter of the arts, offering insightful and serious coverage of the performing and visual arts, providing arts scholarships and, in recent years, offering invaluable in-kind assistance as a sponsor of First Night Morris County. For the past 11 years, Star-Ledger has invested in the future of the arts through its Star-Ledger Scholarship for the Performing Arts. Spotlighting Newark’s brightest young talents, the Star-Ledger awards merit scholarships totaling $80,000 each year to the 3 top winners - in the areas of vocal music, instrumental music, acting or dance – enabling these talented young people to realize their dreams of attending four year colleges of their choice. Also in recent years, The Star-Ledger has generously supported First Night Morris County with free ads, multiple online and print articles about the event, blogs and even video clips, all designed to spotlight this wonderful New Year’s Eve festival of the arts and its many outstanding performers. Additionally, the paper also designs and prints the beautiful, 12-15 page program for First Night which not only appears as a supplemental section in Morris County’s circulation but also serves as the official program given to all ticket buyers for the event. This program contains color photos and biographies of all performers, a master schedule grid and a map of the event’s many venues. This level of support has been invaluable and critical to the success of First Night Morris County. From the new publisher, Richard Vezza, who graciously served as a host conversationalist at the Arts Council’s recent fundraiser, Great Conversations, to the Essex/Morris/Sussex Bureau Chief, Robin Wilson-Glover, who strongly supports arts coverage, to Susan Kronberg, who designs the layout for the First Night Morris County Program, to MorristownGreen.com for its focus on the Morristown art scene, and to the exceptional arts writers like Peggy McGlone and her gifted colleagues, The Star-Ledger has played a positive and critical role in supporting the arts in Morris County and in our State.Therefore, because of its quality coverage of the arts, its
remarkable arts scholarship program, its generous support for arts-centered
events like First Night Morris County, and its longstanding and clear commitment
to the arts in the broadest sense, the Arts Council of the Morris Area is
pleased to honor The Star-Ledger with its 2010 Outstanding Corporation
Award. Featured in numerous gallery, museum and university exhibits across the nation, Ms. Lupo’s art spans the genres of printmaking, wearable art, natural materials, fantasy, sculpture, and healing arts. With a deep concern for "healing our planet, healing ourselves," Maria Lupo devotes herself to using her art in the service of healing and has developed numerous programs to bring art – both its exhibition and its creation - to places of healing. She initiated the first employee art exhibition at Atlantic Health facilities in Morris County and directs the ongoing visual art exhibits at both Overlook Hospital and Morristown’s Carol Simon Cancer Center. These exhibits benefit the patients - bringing visually beautiful and soothing images to treatment areas – as well as providing opportunities for local artists to gain visibility and the satisfaction of knowing their work is helping others to heal. Dealing with her own celiac disease, the artist states candidly, "I hope to bring the message of healing and hope …to others. I understand the healing properties of the field and I encourage others to find and use the creative resources that exist within us all." Making art promotes a sense of identity and emotional growth, helps manage pain, improves a sense of control and offers an effective means of nonverbal communication. Simply put, making art heals. Maria Lupo’s own work is rooted in ecological cycles of nature and one's relationship to the natural world. Handcrafted and archetypal, the images feature places and creatures both real and imagined. She uses tactile, natural materials such as grass seed, Spanish moss, topsoil, sequins, beads, buttons, children’s toys, feathers and other media, fusing ecology and mythology, bearing witness to nature's power as well as its vulnerability. Therefore, for her artistic excellence, her deep dedication to using the arts as a healing force and her efforts to help others discover that the arts are found in every aspect of life, the Arts Council of the Morris Area is proud to recognize Maria Lupo with its 2010 Award for Outstanding Professional in the Arts. THE 2010 ELAINE EHLERS ARTS SCHOLARSHIP Nine years ago, The Arts Council of the Morris Area collaborated with Elaine Ehlers’ family to initiate a second scholarship to be given annually to foster new artistic talent, helping a graduating Morris County high school senior who possesses artistic talent to pursue further study in an area related to the arts. Created as a tribute to the memory of my late wife, Elaine Ehlers, the scholarship is an enduring legacy to recognize artistic excellence and encourage the artists of the future. Elaine, a health-care administrator by profession, had a voracious appetite for all things artistic and musical. She derived intellectual and emotional sustenance from the arts, and received great pleasure when she took young people to concerts, the theater and museums. The Arts Council invites young artists of Morris County who exhibited artistic excellence in the areas of dance, drama, music and the visual arts to compete for this scholarship. The applications were evaluated by a distinguished panel of professional artists: Dr. Patricia Pongracz, Curator of the Museum of Biblical Art in NYC and member the art faculty at The College of St. Elizabeth; Susan McCutcheon Coutts, Choreographer and Director of Dance Innovations; David Gruol, professional photographer and Director of the Blackwell Street Center for the Arts; Arthur T. Wilson, Arts Educator, Author, and Performing Artist; and Dr. Lynn Siebert, Director of Arts Participation and Communication for the Arts Council of the Morris Area, a professional violinist and a member of the music faculty at the College of St. Elizabeth. I am pleased to announce that this year’s Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship award winner of $4,500 is Daniel Knapp, a graduating senior at Morristown High School. This extraordinary young ballroom and Latin Dancer has trained for over 10 years, competing and winning numerous national and world championships. In her glowing recommendation, Daniel’s dance teacher present a portrait of a highly gifted, versatile, humble, and hardworking young dancer: "Daniel has acquired the titles of World Pro-Am Rhythm and Smooth Champion and has placed in the top five of the Latin and Ballroom divisions in the most prestigious competition in the United States. What is more amazing than gaining these world titles is that he competes against other students who only focus on one or two styles of dancing which gives them more opportunity to excel in their particular style. For most of his years of training, Daniel has studied all of the four possible styles of ballroom dancing and has excelled at each of them….What impresses me most about Daniel is that throughout his successes he has remained a humble and gracious person…he shows great sportsmanship and has a positive attitude even if he is not the winner that day. He is genuinely happy for the winner and takes the experience as a learning opportunity for what he can improve in the next competition. As any true champion does, he continuously looks to improve himself and doesn’t become complacent when he wins." She adds, "…he was the only student I never had to worry about which was surprising since he was the only child competitor amongst adults in our studio." Admirably, Daniel has used his talent to give back to others, donating his time in many fundraising events and helping to raise over $60,000 for Parkinson’s disease research, The Hurricane Katrina Fund, and Everybody’s Children Foundation (for foster children). His teacher added, "I cannot think of a more deserving individual to get something back for all he has done, for all the lives he has touched…" Daniel’s passion for the art of ballroom dance is evident in his own eloquent works: "I believe in the beat. When my shoes touch the wooden floor, a rhythm within beats with fervor….There is only one way to describe my passion for dance: complete ecstasy. I cannot imagine living without ballroom dance because it has consumed more than half of my life.…For me, dancing is about the soul, not the accolades….I hope to continue dancing until my body wills it not…I belong on the floor. It is only there, that I can truly be free." Nor is dancing his only area of excellence. An outstanding competitor in Forensics (Speech and Debate), Daniel is a National Forensics League All-American (2009), the 2009 NJ State Champion in Original Oratory, a Harvard International National Forensics League Finalist, and winner of a 2009 NJ Governor’s Award in the Arts for his forensics skills. In her recommendation, his calculus teacher called Daniel "a true intellectual…Daniel loves to learn. …he is curious about the world around him and, as a result, misses little….He is articulate, tactful, upbeat, respectful…his integrity is firm and unwavering." Daniel will be attending Stanford University in the fall. The panel was greatly impressed by Daniel’s artistry, his grace, commanding posture and physical precision, his sense of line and gesture, his speed and agility in executing difficult footwork, his ability to navigate effortlessly on a crowded dance floor and his sheer joy in performing. For a truly special treat this evening, we will share a short clip of Daniel Knapp dancing a Viennese Waltz with his teacher and partner, Adriana Chessa, in a March 2009 Showcase. Were it not for time constraints this evening, we would have happily highlighted his exciting dancing of the tango, fox trot, rumba, cha cha, paso doble, samba and jive. Please enjoy this tiny sampling of our Ehlers Scholarlship winner, Daniel Knapp, "in action." Therefore, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Arts Council of the Morris Area, it is my great pleasure and privilege to award the ninth annual Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship to this wonderfully gifted young dancer, Daniel Knapp. May 13, 2010 THE 2010 EUGENIE COLADARCI ARTS SCHOLARSHIP I am pleased to announce that this year’s award winner is Alessandra Altieri, a gifted soprano who lives in Randolph and is soon to graduate from Randolph High School. Inspired to excel as a singer by her first visit to The Metropolitan Opera (hearing The Barber of Seville), Alessandra describe the impact of that moment thus: "As we sat in our seats and the light fixtures rose before the beginning of the performance, I could hardly keep still. Though the back of every seat had a screen with translations, I barely looked at mine because I was simply captivated by the raw emotion emanating from the stage. It was almost as if I didn’t have to know what they were saying - I could feel it." From that moment, Alessandra has applied herself to developing her vocal skills, studying privately, competing and being selected for Regional and All State Choirs, training with the Brightest Star Summer Camp and, in summer 2009, being accepted into the prestigious Interlochen Summer Arts Camp Vocal Soloist Studies Program. To raise money for the Interlochen tuition, she planned a fundraising recital for which she spent months working on repertoire, preparing a program with translations and biographical information on each composer and then performing in front of an audience of 200 friends and family members. According to her private voice teacher, "the repertoire chosen for the recital was both challenging and diverse, including sets of Italian, French, German and English art songs as well as Leonard Berstein’s demanding I Hate Music cycle…Alessandra’s professionalism in executing this program is a clear testimony to the professionalism that she assumes in all of her endeavors." Her experience at Interlochen was extremely intense and gave her the opportunity to study with outstanding faculty and to gain a glimpse of conservatory life. Alessandra will be pursuing a 4 year conservatory degree, after which she intends to work towards a master’s degree in music, stating, "I am aware that spending the extra years in school will be necessary because of the time it takes for a voice to mature." She eventually hopes to audition for various opera companies and would also love to have the opportunity to " touch someone else’s life" in the same way hers was touched by her music mentors. Next fall, Alessandra will be pursuing her vocal training at The Manhattan School of Music in New York City. The scholarship panel was particularly impressed by Alessandra’s lovely voice quality, her superb diction, well-supported tone production, excellent intonation, expressiveness and technical agility. She offered a touching performance of Copland’s "Laurie’s Song" (which we will hear tonight) and an exceptional performance (with flawless French) of the highly chromatic and difficult "Mandoline" by Faur é. Her musicianship and ability to convey the meaning of each work were outstanding.On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Arts Council of the Morris Area, it is my great pleasure to award the twelfth annual Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship to Alessandra Altieri. 2010 Arts Scholarship Honorable Mention: |
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Eugenie Coladarci & Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarships CLICK HERE for downloadable application materials. Offered annually by the Arts Council of the Morris Area to two graduating high school seniors who demonstrate artistic excellence in dance, drama, music or visual arts and plan to pursue further study in an area related to the arts. The Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship (in the amount of $1,250) was established in memory of Eugenie Coladarci, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Chase Manhattan Bank who was an active member of the Arts Council of the Morris Area for eleven years and was completing her first term as Board Chair when she passed away in 1997. As a statewide champion of the arts, Gene encouraged the development of young artists and believed in the value of the arts to the quality of life. The idea of a scholarship to assist talented young people wishing to continue their study in the arts was very important to her.
The
Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship
(now in the amount of $4,500) was
established in memory of Elaine Ehlers (1953-2001), a health-care
administrator by profession, who had a voracious appetite for all
things artistic and musical. She derived intellectual and emotional
sustenance from the arts and she supported programs at many museums
and musical institutions. By establishing this scholarship, an
enduring legacy has been created to reward those who possess
artistic talent and who plan to further their arts education.
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Arts
Mentoring Program at Morristown High School
On January
22, 2008, the 2007-08
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Workshops for Arts Organizations and Individual Artists The Arts Council's MURAL ARTS PROJECT
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 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.”
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.
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 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. Midday/Evening Music on the Green The Green Was Rockin' on June 26, 2008
On June 26th,
the Trustees of the Morristown Green, in cooperation with the Arts Council of
the Morris Area, presented those fab classic rockers, the Robert Murdock
Band, in a free evening concert. Feet were tapping, hands were clapping, and
people were singing (and dancing) along with the band's exciting performance.
With note perfect arrangements, sizzling solos and amazing vocals, the band
delivered two + hours of nonstop rock classics - from the Beatles, Rolling
Stones, Donovan, Guess Who, to Creedence Clearwater, Moody Blues,
Masters of classic
60’s and 70’s Beatles-era "British Invasion" and "American Response" rock ‘n
roll, the Robert Murdock Band generated a major buzz in the Morristown area when
they performed on the Green in October 2007 and, again, at the Community
Theatre/Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, as part of First Night® Morris
County. Guitar fireworks, especially those by the lead guitarist, Lee Scott
Formed in the 1980s,
the Robert Murdock Band tours extensively in the Northeastern USA, opening for
such acts as New Riders of the Purple Sage, Leon Russell, Glen Burtnik (Styx),
John Eddie, Gary US Bonds and others. Appearing on nationally syndicated TV and
radio shows in England, Sweden, Germany and Chile, leader Murdock writes or
co-writes many of the group’s songs with guitarist Lee Scott
April Arts April Arts 2008 was in full bloom on April 5th
L-R: Co-Chairs Joen Ferrari (L) and Dawn Dupak (in blue) with Board Chair Alan Levitan listen to artist Maria de Mos explain her work; Arts Council Executive Director Anne Aronovitch with staffer Kadie Dempsey and Barbara Moran.
L-R: Auctioneer Richard
Eger sells works by Chris Kappmeier, Joan
Artists
at work: Proceeds from this event support the extensive services and programs for artists, arts organizations, schools, and the community provided by the Arts Council of the Morris Area.
The Arts Council gratefully acknowledges that the beautiful location and elegant reception were generously sponsored by REXCORP REALTY
Community Service Arts Initiatives
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| L-R: Eve Jade Rivera and her dad Joel Rivera painting a wooden bumblebee in the Head Start woodworking workshop; Bira lansing, Katriece Davis, Courtney Terhune, Shana Pearson and Adia Harris performed a stage reading of their original play at Morristown High as part of CSAI initiative, "Girls Surviving"; and Priscilla and her mom Monica Heller finish making dinner plate as part of the ceramics workshop at Madison Day Care. |
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