ARTSplay: Special Needs Arts Program for Toddlers

ARTSplay

Special Needs Arts Program for Toddlers

        •    8 week fine and performing arts educational program

        •    Age: 1 to 4 years old

        •    Includes participation with parents and siblings

        •    Sundays beginning February 6 at 1 pm

        •    Each session will last 45 minutes

        •    There will be one Artist and one therapist each session to provide therapeutic and FUN family activities for your special needs toddler

Read more

“UNEMERGED” OPENS AT THE NEW JERSEY ARTS INCUBATOR GALLERY

Passion and Process: 8 Artistic Visions

West Orange, New Jersey, January **, 2011 – “Unemerged,” an exhibition of paintings, sculpture and photography, will be the newest exhibit on display the New Jersey Arts Incubator Gallery starting January 22nd. Curated by Larry and Jane Dell, “Unemerged” presents the work of 8 artists whose artistic achievements are the result of a lifetime of observation and thought about artistic process, subject matter, the nature of creativity process and the role of the artist in contemporary culture. The artists exhibiting are: Pam Cooper, Robert Coto, Larry Dell, Jane Dell, Susan Lisbin, Robert Lobe, Carol Radsprecher, and Walter Zimmerman.

“Unemerged” will be on display from Saturday, January 22nd through Sunday, February 26th at the New Jersey Arts Incubator Gallery located at 495 Prospect Avenue, Essex Green on the Courtyard. Just ‘follow the art’ down the walkway to the AMC Cinema entrance and turn right at the beautiful mural. Opening reception will take place on January 22nd from 1pm- 4pm. The gallery is open Saturday and Sundays 1pm – 4pm and by appointment.

The exhibition includes paintings, sculpture, photography and mixed media. Pam Cooper’s sculptures, prints and works on handmade paper address her inner most emotions: fear, dread, insecurity and anxiety. Robert Coto’s process driven reductive paintings explore expressive potential of color and surface within a 20” x 20” format. Larry Dell’s central sculptural work is a response to a recent startling discovery about his birth. Jane Dell’s expressionist paintings and mixed media work are an elegy to the natural worlds losing battle against the forces of development and urbanization. Susan Lisbin’s spare paintings and sculpture are an affirmation of herself as a woman and as a valuable presence to others. Robert Lobe’s “urban still lifes” uncover the visual and rhythmic poetry of everyday surroundings. Carol Radsprecher’s thought-provoking Photoshop drawings/prints refer to the human body, specifically the female body, in both subtle and brazen ways. And Walter Zimmerman’s sculpture uses inorganic materials to create and literally capture visceral animal like forms that come alive and inhabit the space between the natural and the manmade.

The Incubator Gallery presents a year-round schedule of changing exhibitions devoted to contemporary arts. The mission of the Incubator Gallery is to curate and present the work of emerging and established artists with a commitment to providing exhibition programming with depth and relevance to multiple disciplinary perspectives and a diverse community audience.  In particular, the gallery strives to provide an environment dedicated to inspiration and culture enrichment.

The New Jersey Arts Incubator’s mission is the economic development of artists and arts organizations through technical assistance, employment, marketing, programming, performance, and education in an effort to support, sustain, and promote viable arts agencies to act as economic drivers in communities across the State of New Jersey.

# # #
Contact

Christine Wolff-Strassman NJAI, Press cwstrassman@comcast.net 917-554-2462

Larry Dell Curator/artist larrydell@comcast.net 973-986-1433

www.incubatorgallery.com
www.njai.org

“Buttons” by Larry Dell. Foam rubber, acrylic paint, wire and buttons.

NEW JERSEY ARTS INCUBATOR ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP

West Orange, New Jersey, October 12, 2010 – The New Jersey Arts Incubator (NJAI) announces new leadership today. Founder and Executive Director Amy Simon will take the Chairwoman’s seat on the Board of Directors as Carol Berman is hired as Executive Director and Joe Gardner as Managing Director.

“It has been a thrilling experience, creating and leading NJAI as we serve artists and communities in New Jersey” says Amy Simon, “I am excited to welcome new leadership and new ideas for moving the mission forward while I focus on keeping our organization stable and inclusive.”

Adds Carol Berman, “I am excited to be part of the New Jersey Arts Incubator and to continue the exceptional work that Amy Simon began for the arts in New Jersey.  The Incubator remains dedicated to New Jersey artists and developing the business of art in New Jersey.  Joe Gardner and I hope to continue creating a support network for New Jersey artists that helps sustain, nurture and grow art in New Jersey as a tool for educational and self expressive purposes.  If, as Leo Schulemowitz once said, ‘Art Is The Highest Form Of Play’ than we’re grateful to be in the sandbox to stay!”

Carol Berman is an actress, singer, director and arts educator as well as a skilled and dedicated arts manager with more than 15 years experience in professional and educational fine and performing arts management.  Ms. Berman has lead the JCC Metrowest Triple Threat Theater Camp and School of the Arts for the past 6 years and, in 2008 was named Manager of the Gaelen Center for the Arts where she manages the yearly presenting season for the Maurice Levin Theater, Gaelen Art Galleries as well as New Jersey Jewish Film Festival. As a results-oriented, decisive leader with proven success in market identification she has a track record of increasing growth and operational improvements.

Joe Gardner is an education, theatre director, actor and playwright, and producer of television, film and theatre. Mr. Gardner has worked on a variety of commercial film, television and audio productions including PBS “Shining Time Station” series and the original “Curious George” television stories. Mr. Gardner is a long time member of the 12 Miles West Theatre Company and served for several years as its Literary Manager overseeing the development of new plays including two of his own. As the Education Director of NJAI Mr. Gardner developed and directed the workshop and production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Festival” produced in Verona Park in the summer of 2009. Mr. Gardner is also a publisher of children’s books specializing in active and interactive early childhood education.

The NJAI studio is located at the Essex Green Shopping Center in West Orange, NJ. Upcoming programming includes a Life Skills for the Working Artist seminar on October 20th and the continuation of the NJAI Music Series. You can still catch the INCUBATION exhibit on display in the Gallery through October 30th. An arts education for special needs toddlers’ program project is under way with funding help from the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation. This signature NJAI project will focus on using art experience to stimulate special needs toddlers 12 months – 36 months in an effort to maximize the development of skills and abilities. This prototype class will be offered in the winter 2011. For more information and a list of upcoming events please visit www.njai.org. The office can be reached at 973-669-0602.

The New Jersey Arts Incubator’s mission is the economic development of artists and arts organizations through technical assistance, employment, marketing, programming, performance, and education in an effort to support, sustain, and promote viable arts agencies to act as economic drivers in communities across the State of New Jersey.

Contact

Christine Wolff-Strassman

NJAI, Press

917-554-2462

cwstrassman@comcast.net

---

Carol Berman

Joe Gardner

NJAI MUSIC SERIES CONTINUES SEPTEMBER 25TH WITH GAR FRANCIS

West Orange, New Jersey, August 19, 2010 – New Jersey Arts Incubator’s Music Series continues September 25th with a night of Americana rock featuring performances by Gar Francis and Tom Picard.

The concert will take place at NJAI’s new location in Essex Green, 495 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey. Just ‘follow the art’ down the walkway to the AMC Cinema entrance and turn right at the new mural into the courtyard. Doors open at 7:30pm. Suggested donation $10.

Showcasing the best of New Jersey’s up and coming musicians, the NJAI Music Series began in April with a performance by rock bands Mike Rocket & the Stars and Red Reyne and continued in May with a night of Celtic celebration featuring Blackwater and Slight Imperfection. June featured indie rockers Blair Reinhard Band and Loa Heymann Band before the series went on a brief summer hiatus. The NJAI Music Series provides a performance venue for New Jersey and area musicians that explore stylistic and culturally diverse world music performed in an effort to promote various forms of musical expression. To participate email info@njai.org

Gar Francis was born and raised in Plainfield, NJ and has been called the hardest working songwriter in America. As founding member of the 1970s group The Rockids; Gar spent most of his time at CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City in Manhattan sharing a stage with The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads and others. Gar is currently writing and producing for such acts as, The Doughboys, Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs, Jeanne Lozier, The Easy Outs, Jana Peri, Jackie Kringle & The Elves, as well as his own solo projects including a newly released folk album titled “Love & Protest”. Gar is finishing his upcoming Americana album “The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same” for the newly formed Bongo Boy Records. He wrote and produced 2 new singles: “Come On, Come On” for the rock band The Easy Outs and “Ballerina Of The Bowery” for NY Rocker Jana Peri. Gar has received awards for songwriting from The John Lennon Song Contest, the Unisong Music Awards, an Honorable Mention in the Billboard Song Contest and two songs were voted by Sirius radio listeners the ‘Coolest Song In The World in 2008 & 2009.’ www.garfrancis.com. Tom Picard opens the show www.tompicard.com.

The New Jersey Arts Incubator’s mission is the economic development of artists and arts organizations through technical assistance, employment, marketing, programming, performance, and education in an effort to support, sustain, and promote viable arts agencies to act as economic drivers in communities across the State of New Jersey.

Art Education for Special Needs Toddlers

Project development funded by Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation.

This signature NJAI project will focus on using art experience to stimulated special needs toddlers 12 months – 36 months in an effort to maximize the development of skills and abilities. This program is intended as a supplemental activity to traditional therapies, and will include tactile arts, music, storytelling, puppetry and dance.

The prototype class will be held in Winter of 2011 at the New Jersey Arts Incubator studio. For information about participating as a teaching artist, therapist, or family, call 973-669-0602 or email, info@njai.org.

Call for interested families and arts educators.

Midsummer Nights Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Festival, Verona Park, Essex County. Saturday July 18th & July 19th.

Co-sponsored by the Essex County , Oberon Major Sponsor -JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Puck Primary Sponsor – Verizon Foundation, Lysander Sponosr – PSE&G, Lysander Sponsor – Valley Neighborhood Preservation Program.

The Business of Art in New Jersey

The Business of Art in New Jersey pilot demo by the New Jersey Arts Incubator From the arts economic summit at the Crossroads Theater New Brunswick.

NJAI Literacy Project Performance Held at Montclair Art Museum

Essex County, NJ, 6/28/10

The New Jersey Arts Incubator, the Rose Parks School, the Orange Public School and the Montclair Art Museum partnered this spring on an innovative literacy project for 20 students of the Rosa Park School, which culminated in a recent performance at MAM.

Hundreds of community members participating in the Montclair Art Museum Community Day on June 13th enjoyed the 20 minute performance by Orange 13-16 year old students from the Rosa Parks School in Orange New Jersey. Based on the Force For Change exhibit at MAM which explores and celebrates the numerous recipients of the Julius Rosenwald Fund, the literacy project presentation included poetry presentation and movement chosen and performed the students.

“The Julius Rosenwald Fund Literacy Project provided our students an experience outside of their normal daily environment,” said NJAI Education Director Joseph Gardner.  “We had the opportunity to bring them to the museum and expose them to the legacy of Julius Rosenwald. Through their exploration of these funded artists the students learned about the rich cultural experience of African Americans of this period and translated that to knowledge into performance that reflected their own lives.”

NJAI is committed to creating and supporting a partnership between art, education and communication.  Professionals in the performing arts and arts development share their knowledge with students of all ages with a special emphasis on artistic programming for children of diverse cultures in low socio-economic backgrounds.

Julius Rosenwald founder and owner of Sears & Roebuck, who lived in the late 19th and early 20th century established a fund with a principal mission to improve the life of African Americans in this country.  The Fund’s greatest interest was rural education, and his partner in developing schools was Booker T Washington and the Tuskeegee Institute.  In addition, the Fund contributed support to a wide variety of artists, writers, poets, playwrights, teachers, journalists and others. The Julius Rosenwald Fund was designed to devote all its resources to philanthropy and ultimately, it gave away more than 70 million dollars, through 1948.

“This was so much fun,” said Ayomide Mustapha, one of the eighth grade participants. “I had never heard of any of these poets, but they were writing about people like me. I can’t wait to get a chance to do something like this again.”

A second Julius Rosenwald Fund Literacy Project summer program between NJAI and the Rosa Parks School has begun, engaging 60 City of Orange Township students in the exploration of culture and art. The summer program is partially funded by the JP Morgan Chase Foundation.

West Orange Rotary Club Awards New Jersey Arts Incubator

West Orange Rotary Club Awards New Jersey Arts Incubator

West Orange, NJ – 6/28/10 – The West Orange Rotary Club awarded the New Jersey Arts Incubator with a Community Service Grant. The 2010 grant award is for the NJAI Summer Literacy Project part of the NJAI Arts Outreach Program.

The summer project, The Julius Rosewald Literacy Project, is a six- week program for 60 low and moderate income students, based on the exhibit A Force For Change at the Montclair Museum. Student will explore the written works and other artistic disciplines represented by the Rosewald Funded artists, and prepare a performance piece to present to the community.

“The Julius Rosenwald Fund Literacy Project was incredibly successful this spring so we are reprising it for the summer project. We will provide our students an experience outside of their normal daily environment,” said NJAI Education Director Joseph Gardner. “Through their exploration of these funded artists the students will learn about the rich cultural experience of African Americans of this period and translated that to knowledge into performance that reflects their own lives.”

NJAI is committed to creating and supporting a partnership between art, education and communication. Professionals in the performing arts and arts development share their knowledge with students of all ages with a special emphasis on artistic programming for children of diverse cultures in low socio-economic backgrounds.

The New Jersey Arts Incubator’s mission is the economic development of artists and arts organizations through technical assistance, employment, marketing, programming, performance, and education in an effort to support, sustain, and promote viable arts agencies to act as economic drivers in communities across the State of New Jersey.

---

Open Call for Artist for Incubation Exhibit at Incubator Gallery Deadline July 10th

« Previous Page — Next Page »