Author: Michelle Dryden

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Local News

Signage highlights partnerships to connect Circuit Trails

PRINCETON, N.J. — With funding from the William Penn Foundation, D&R Greenway plans to develop

From left – D&R Greenway Land Trust President & CEO Linda Mead; Bordentown City Mayor James Lynch; Joel Dowshen of the Abbott Marshlands Council; and Kay Widmer, representing Friends of the Abbott Marshlands. All welcome the new sign at Bordentown Beach that signals community partnerships.
— Provided photo

more interpretive signage like the new one at Bordentown Beach that connects communities.

As part of its new “Community Conservation” initiative, D&R Greenway, Abbott Marshlands, and TravelStorys App will partner to connect the Greater Philadelphia and Greater Trenton Circuit Trails.

The connectivity of these trails will feature historical and educational signage along their paths. There will be about four new signs.

“D&R Greenway’s expertise lies in maximizing existing partnerships and building new partnerships at all levels – State Government, County Government, Municipal Government, corporations, community groups, nonprofit organizations and individuals,” says President and CEO Linda Mead.

D&R Greenway recognizes all the beneficiaries of land preservation, and so the new totem-designed signage at Bordentown Beach in the Abbott Marshlands lists collaborators of the effort.

The sign helps to promote the use of the Circuit Trails, Tulpehaking Nature Center, and the TravelStorys app.

“D&R Greenway has acted as the leader to bring all these groups together to understand the importance of connecting communities and merging resources to do so,” Mead says.

“The signage will also acknowledge the perseverance and volunteer work of key community people, those who ultimately protect and care for our watershed with boots on the ground,” she says.

For 25 years now, D&R Greenway has been working toward preservation and stewardship of the Abbott Marshlands. It has worked with Mercer and Burlington counties to make the Abbott Marshlands and the Circuit Trails the robust community assets they are today.

An oasis of natural beauty, the Abbott Marshlands is a unique urban wetland where osprey, marsh wrens, and many kinds of butterflies and dragonflies live. There are also the occasional beluga whale and harp seal.

Human visitors include students on field trips, hikers, cyclists, bird watchers, canoeists, kayakers, fishers, hunters, photographers and artists.

Folks along these trails can also enjoy the offerings at the Tulpehaking Nature Center created by D&R Greenway and N.J. Green Acres Program in partnership with Mercer County.

Along with 15 new signs and trail maps, the new TravelStorys app that was released in 2017 provide paddling and walking tours, enabling visitors to imagine journeying back in time.

This app allows them to navigate Crosswicks Creek in the Abbott Marshlands, visit the bluffs that witnessed Lenape Indian life, early English settlers and French royalty. App users can hear the sounds of a railroad, summer insects and the call of an osprey while learning about key events that shifted the course of American history.

Both the app and new signage along the regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails, enhance community connections, and will soon add the Tulpehaking Nature Center, Abbott Marshlands and Lawrence-Hopewell Trail to the Circuit network.

The William Penn Foundation not only funds the new signage for the Circuit Trails, but it also funds the Alliance for Watershed Education, which is a group of 23 nature centers that bring educational programs to the public with a goal of protecting natural resources of the Delaware River Watershed. More than 15 million people get their drinking water from the Delaware River Watershed.

D&R Greenway Land Trust and the Tulpehaking Nature Center are members of the Alliance for Watershed Education.

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Business

Area chamber of commerce officially changes name

BORDENTOWN, N.J. – In order to better reflect their geographic coverage area, the Northern

Local Chamber of Commerce changes its name to Burlington Mercer Chamber of Commerce.
–Internet image

Burlington Regional Chamber of Commerce has recently changed its name to Burlington Mercer Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber President Bill Ryan announced this official name change last Thursday night at their Pi Day Business Networking Special Event held at the Scottish Rite Hall in Bordentown.

The Chamber has served the Burlington-Mercer county areas for more than 40 years, with its commitment to providing affordable networking opportunities and special events to connect their members with customers in those areas.

Even though the new name better reflects their geographic coverage areas, Ryan said they also have members who have joined from Bucks, Monmouth and Ocean counties, in order to also promote their businesses to a wide variety of diverse, engaged business people.

Not only does the Chamber help its predominantly small and mid-sized chamber members, but it also has a huge impact on local communities by donating thousands of dollars annually to local non-profits and awarding business and art scholarships each June to area high school seniors.

The affordable annual membership is $125. The Chamber also hosts many events that are free or discounted for its members.

Coverage area for the new Burlington Mercer Chamber of Commerce.
— Google map

Both Chamber members and all other businesses are warmly welcomed to monthly networking breakfasts or luncheons, evening networking events, a Business Expo, the Hidden Treasures Scholarship Calendar, and the Bordentown Street Fair each May.

Their next event will be the Evening Business to Business Networking Event scheduled for March 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hamilton Tap and Grill.

There are several avenues for involvement with this Chamber. And, at this time they are accepting nominations for two open seats for their Board of Directors.

For more information, visit their new website at www.BurlingtonMercerChamber.org.

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Local News

How does the sea inspire her unique art?

PRINCETON, N.J. – The artist who invites others to take a closer look at nature recently

Fine Arts and Nature Photographer Tasha O’Neill designs her “Grandmother’s Pin” artwork from dried seaweed, and includes it in her “Gifts from the Sea” exhibition at Millstone River Gallery in Princeton.
— Provided photo

collaborated with poets to present her close-up “Gifts from the Sea” artwork at Millstone River Gallery.

Fine Art and Nature Photographer Tasha O’Neill draws attention to the often-overlooked aspects of our surroundings through the macro lenses of her camera, and now has an exhibit where she collaborates with the Cool Women Poets.

Currently, O’Neill’s exhibition at Princeton’s Millstone River Gallery called
“Gifts from the Sea” features her recent discoveries of dried and very sculptural seaweed offerings during low tide at sea. The poets matched each image on display with their poems.

The exhibition, which opened Mar. 10, will run through May 9. The gallery held their opening reception last Friday. The public listened to the poets read their poems, while they also admired the seaweed art, and purchased signed books, among other activities.

“The opening was very successful. We had many visitors who were both fans of mine and of the poets,” said O’Neill.

“They marveled at the beauty that was inaccessible to most people especially when at low (sea) tide. They loved the colors and composition and the way the pieces were hung together,” she states.

She continued that, “While the poets had their readings, visitors crowded around the provided seating area and even sat on the stairs going up. It was a rousing success. Books and note cards were sold and the food at the reception was appreciated.”

O’Neill spends her summers on the Maine Coast close to Acadia National Park. She “recalls a day in 2012 when the full moon created an historic low tide and revealed never-before-seen seaweed of such beauty that she had to capture it before the tide rose again.”

Always curious about sea creatures in tide pools, O’Neill finds that the Maine Coast has both tide pools and the abundance of seaweed of every color and variety that inspire her current unique artwork.

Last summer, O’Neill discovered the beauty of wet and dried seaweed. She randomly plucked clumps off the beach, as she studied their shapes and designed various artworks from them.

“Her most successful find turned out to look like a dancer now named ‘Balanchine.’” She adorned a bouquet-like form with small cranberries, bright green hop flowers, and the lacy white blossom of wild carrot.

The Cool Women Poets wrote poems that each image inspires. The poems make the images come alive, states Millstone River Gallery’s Curator Sheila Geisler.

For example, there are poems called “Grandmother’s Pin” by Lois Marie Harrod, and “Tide Pool” by Sharon Olsen.

“I am blessed to have known the Cool Women Poets for years, and am thrilled they chose to exhibit with me. My images will come alive through their poetry,” O’Neill notes.

She states that with their collaboration, she always has memorable titles for her images.

O’Neill’s other photography work has been exhibited at Grounds of Sculpture, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Capital Health, and D&R Greenway Land Trust in solo, group and juried shows.

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Local News

Filmmaker seeks support to tell ‘dark’ story

EWING, N.J. — With the successes of three previous films, a local filmmaker is all about giving away

A concept poster for Ricardo Lorenzo’s next film, “An Unlikely Story.”
— Provided image

perks in order to receive support for his next short.

Ricardo Lorenzo, an award-nominated moviemaker, currently has a full-time job as a producer and editor for television stations, but has always been interested in making movies, and started with his experimental films in high school.

Currently, he is asking for support to produce a short film called, An Unlikely Story, which is a “dark” comedy about mental illness, he says.

He says family and friends have been very supportive, and that he also seeking funding through indiegogo.

“It’s pretty exciting to see how much your friends and family support your art. I’m indebted to them,” says Lorenzo.

However, at this point he has met less than half his fundraising goals. He says he will need about $10,000 to support his cast and crewmembers.

Lorenzo has learned a lot about production from his three previous films: Insomnolent (2009), Enlightenment (2012), and Transparent (2013).

“Since Transparent, I grew to really understand everyone in the cast and crew deserves some sort of payment,” he says.

Even though most of his budget will go into equipment and post-production, he says he has to feed his cast and crew, and pay for locations and equipment rentals.

“Pretty much all I can ask is people help us by contributing to indiegogo. Maybe you’re not into it, but maybe you have a friend that might be. We’re just really looking for help to tell this story,” Lorenzo states.

He promises that supporters will benefit from some really “dope” perks that they are offering.

These include early released DVDs and limited edition movie poster giveaways.

Expecting more success, Lorenzo thinks An Unlikely Story will most likely attract an audience who are fans of dark comedy and Todd Solondz films, he says.

The movie will be emotional, addressing issues of companionships, cannibalism, and how important it is to have someone to talk to when one is a loner battling depression.

“We are currently in development; slowly coming into pre-production. And we’re hoping to shoot in June of this year,” Lorenzo said.

Fans will be able to get DVDs as early as Sept., but he does not expect to show the movie publicly until Jan.

For now, Lorenzo is “just going to keep making movies. Everyday, I’m contemplating my next film — hopefully a feature,” he says.

Categories
Local News

Passage Theatre revives revolutionaries during Black History Month

TRENTON, N.J. – In conjunction with Black History Month, Passage Theatre featured two plays about characters who were revolutionaries within the context of their time periods in American history.

Fred Hampton, the revolutionary of the 1960s Black Panthers Party, comes alive as Actor Richard Bradford performs his story at Passage Theatre.
— Photo by Michelle Dryden

The Passage Theatre Company located in the historic Mill Hill Playhouse at 205 E. Front St. in Trenton, hosted the Solo Flights series of shows from Feb. 8 to 17.

The 2019 series of shows included their first play called, “To My Unborn Child: A Love Letter From Fred Hampton,” written and performed by Richard Bradford as Fred Hampton. John Doyle directed it.

The second revolutionary play in the series was titled “Bicycle Face,” which was written and performed by Hannah Van Sciver, and directed by David O’Connor.

Even though both shows were equally important to American History, the first play depicts the struggles of Black America more vividly.

“To My Unborn Child: A Love Letter From Fred Hampton,” a “powerful play about change, love, and legacy, sheds fresh light on a little understood period of our country’s history, and was originally produced by Iron Age Theatre,” states Elizabeth Zuckerman, administrative and marketing associate at Passage Theatre.

The audience, who attended the first night of the Fred Hampton play was in for a profound experience as they had the company of Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, where Fred Hampton was also a member.

Even Bradford, who was acting as Fred Hampton in his solo performance, said he was overjoyed by Seale’s appearance.

“I almost cried when he reached up at me and shook my hands,” said Bradford.

Along with Huey P. Newtown, Seale co-founded the Black Panther Party in 1966, serving as chairman.

In 1968, on trial as one of the “Chicago Eight,” he was famously chained and gagged in the courtroom after requesting that his lawyer be present.

He has written several books including his autobiography A Lonely Rage, which provides invaluable windows into the history and ideology of the 20th Century American political protest.

Artistic Director at Passage Theatre, Ryanne Domingues, states that, “We are honored to have Mr. Seale speak to our community…”

She mentions that Seale was an activist who helped to shape the landscape of social activism and community outreach, and that his stories of the past are now part of our collective history.

Likewise, Fred Hampton was a visionary Black Panther, who was also a revolutionary fighting for social justice, but was murdered by Chicago police as he lay by his pregnant lover at age 21.

Thus, there was a letter written to his unborn child.

Hampton preached a humane, compassionate revolution against racist brutality, child hunger, poverty, and capitalism.

Bradford brought Hampton’s legacy to life on the stage as he performed a well-researched and timeless-written play.

The actor said he wrote the play about three years ago, and said that he even spoke with Hampton’s son, who still lives in Chicago.

Bradford also said he thinks that the Black Panther’s movement still exists in society today, but that it has evolved in art forms such as music.

While the Black Panthers fought for justice against racism and other social movements, women in America had been fighting for equality to men even before that time.

Hannah Van Sciver acts as the three women in the feminism play, “Bicycle Face.”
— Photo by Michelle Dryden

So, the second Solo Flights play this year, titled, “Bicycle Face” addresses that issue.

In the early 19th Century, there was a movement for women to become just as mobile as men, by riding bicycles.

Van Sciver played the part of three female characters who were trying to revolutionize their worlds, hoping society would get better for them.

She showed how they tried to find their place in their new societies even after one getting in trouble for riding a bicycle.

Women fighting for the power to ride bicycles, revolutionize their clothing where they could begin to wear pants, and also helped them to be more than just homemakers who previously had no way to get outside their homes.

Both plays recognize the humanity of their characters’ actions within the context of their time, states Dominguez.

“Whether speaking at a rally, or simply riding a bike, all of the characters in this year’s Solo Flights are revolutionaries,” she notes.

Categories
Local News

Dance for Parkinson’s program explores movements

PRINCETON, N.J. – With physical activity, the brain and the body function better, and so recently a

Students at Princeton Ballet School perform in their Dance for Parkinson’s class where Rachel Stanislawczyk is their teacher.
— Provided photo

dance teacher has been helping special students with their moves.

When Rachel Stanislawczyk interned and became a lead dance teacher for the Mark Morris Dance Group’s Dance for Parkinson’s Program in Brooklyn, N.Y., she decided to broaden the horizons of that program.

On returning to New Jersey, Stanislawczyk proposed the idea of starting a Dance for Parkinson’s program to the Princeton Ballet School, “knowing that their mission and dedication to live accompaniment aligned perfectly with her vision of the program,” says Lindsay Cahill, assistant teacher at Princeton Ballet School.

The Parkinson’s students will need help with controlling their movements, because Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, and often includes tremors.

Therefore, Stanislawczyk is offering the eight-week Dance for Parkinson’s classes that will be running through March 28, this year in Princeton, and she is the lead dance teacher.

Together with her assistant, the dance teachers create “a warm sanctuary for movement exploration, and a social atmosphere to support artistic venture,” Cahill says.

Affiliated with the American Repertory Ballet (ARB), the Princeton Ballet School Dance for Parkinson’s program have live musical accompanied by one of ARB’s staff of professional musicians, Cahill says.

“Each class is infused with guided imagery, vocalization, and movement from several different genres of dance, to provide participants with holistic and dynamic experiences,” Cahill explains.

She says the Dance for Parkinson’s teachers and volunteers encourage participants to “’think like a dancer;’ to indulge in creativity, expression, and shared humanistic experiences.”

Dancers for Parkinson’s hold hands as they participate in their classes at Princeton Ballet School.
— Provided photo

This inclusive program is open to all levels of ability. The participants include senior adults, their care partners, family, friends, children and grandchildren, who may experience therapeutic relief from

dancing.

However, the classes are not considered therapy, but are solely for getting people together to move, share, and enjoy the elements of dance, says Cahill.

Nevertheless, the dance movements help the Parkinson’s students’ bodies to naturally produce the neurotransmitter, Dopamine, which is a feel-good chemical in the brain, and that helps with signaling body movements.

In order to offer a variety of dance movements, the dance instructors incorporate several different dance styles such as ballet, modern jazz, tap, and tango.

“The formula for each class differs as participants are led to explore different choreographic, improvisational, and compositional tools,” Cahill says.

And, the instructors also keep the classes interesting by sometimes revolving them around a central theme that includes aspects of song, poetry, games, and partner work.

They encourage the students to participate to the best of their own abilities while seated or standing during each class, Cahill says.

At the beginning of classes, the instructors remind students that there are no right or left sides, and no right or wrong ways of moving.

There are also volunteers to assist students during each of these one-hour-and-fifteen-minutes classes.

These classes are fairly new to Princeton Ballet School where the first sessions started in August 2018.

The teachers held the first two sessions of the program at their Princeton location. However, this year’s winter sessions are at their Cranbury studios. They also have a studio in New Brunswick.

The Cranbury and Princeton studios are wheelchair accessible. All locations feature state-of-the-art dance floors that are shock absorbent and slip proof.

Categories
Local News

Curators open doors for various artists

PRINCETON, N.J. — Many local photographers and mixed media artists now have a chance to

showcase their artworks at local hospital galleries, thanks to a few area curators.

Princeton Photography Club Curator Sheila Geisler plans for future projects at their hospital galleries.
— Provided photo

Among others making this possible, are curators from the Princeton Photography Club (PPC), which include Sheila Geisler, Lillian Ciuffreda, and Mark Poiani. David Anderson is president of the club.

The PPC oversees Millstone River Gallery at Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center in Plainsboro, and Lakefront Gallery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton.

Geisler explained that, “the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital (Lakefront Gallery) and the Millstone River Gallery at Merwick are maintained by the photo club in order to give local, emerging artists a place to show their work without a cost,” or fees because the club maintains the galleries.

At the recent opening reception for the “Pictures at an Exhibition” photography show at Millstone River Gallery, Geisler said that even though this specific exhibition is about photography, the galleries tend to be diverse with their artwork.

“We are able to invite many artists besides photographers to join us, including mixed media artists like what is currently at Lakefront Gallery,” she said.

The diversity of artists includes high school students who compete in the annual 4thCongressional Dist. Art Competition by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, and recently the Trenton Street Artists.

It was very exciting for the Trenton Street Artists.

“This was the first time they ever hung in a hospital gallery,” said Geisler. “And we sold 10 pieces of their work. Then they got invited to other hospitals in the Trenton area to exhibit.”

She said PPC opened a whole new venue for them.

Geisler also said, “it’s a wonderful goal for the club to be able to allow the artists and the community to participate” in the art exhibitions.

She said they accept almost all the artists’ works.

Photo of “Anchors Aweigh” by Jim Amon at “Photos at an Exhibition” show at Millstone River Gallery.
— Provided photo

“If the work is interesting, we hang them” in the galleries, she said.

The hospital galleries have become community attractions.

According to Christina Fleming, vice president of marketing and strategy at Windsor Healthcare Communities, the parent of Merwick Care, having the gallery in the hospital benefits everyone.

“We are good stewards to the community by opening our doors for them to come into our building and see how positive we are,” said Fleming.

She said it is not really a marketing strategy, but instead it allows people who might need nursing care at sometime in their lives to come visit the place and see how it is firsthand.

Geisler said the galleries are well-known and popular with the artists and the communities.

The curators are busy with future projects such as a major Pine Barrens exhibition for PPC with Pinelands Preservation Alliance, which will open in Jan. 2020 at RWJ Hamilton Lakefront Gallery.

Other upcoming exhibitions will include artist Tasha O’Neill’s “Gifts from the Sea” and the Cool Women Poets at Millstone River Gallery in March.

Categories
Local News

Artist captures ‘People in Geometry’ classic moments

TRENTON, N.J. — For Fine Arts Photographer John Clarke, retirement from a career in Architecture

Fine Arts Photographer John Clarke displays his favorite piece, “Reflection of Man,” in his current exhibition called “People in Geometry” at Artworks in Trenton.
— Provided photo

has led him to defining relationships between people and their unique geometric surroundings.

Clarke’s most recent photography collection called, “People in Geometry” is a black and white monochrome exhibition at Artworks in Trenton lasting a month through Feb. 23.

With this exhibition of fine arts photography, Clarke said that light is an important factor in all the photographs.

“Sparkling surfaces that glow and reflect draw the viewer’s interest into the photo,” he states.

Clarke also said that the idea to monochrome his photographs is deliberate, and he does it “to emphasize the relationship between the geometry of the setting and the people.”

He chooses to make them black and white because he wants his photos to be “timeless and abstract.”

As longtime architect, who is a partner emeritus of Clarke Caton Hintz, an award-winning architectural and planning firm based in Trenton, Clarke said he spent his professional life “immersed in architectural and urban design issues.”

His work involved photography.

At the recent opening reception for this exhibition, Clarke said, “I like the idea of exhibiting my artwork here because the space is very ideal and conducive to showing photos and paintings.”

Clarke has a lot of history with the Artworks building and the Mill Hill area in general.

But he said, “I’ve never had an exhibition in this building before, and I’ve only being doing this type of (fine arts) photography since I retired from my architectural practice” eight years ago.

Clarke’s relationship with the Artworks building dates back to nearly 50 years ago when he was the City of Trenton Director of Planning and Development.

He said he was instrumental in acquiring the old Sears building, getting federal funds, and renovating it to make sure they would create a space for artists.

This photo is called “Bicycle in Princeton,” from Fine Arts Photographer John Clarke.
— Provided photo

Now Clarke is finally “closing the loop” by exhibiting his own work in a building that he helped to design, and he is also educating the public about this new type of photography that he is enjoying.

He says his favorite piece in the “People in Geometry” exhibition is the one called the “Reflection of Man” photograph that he took in the courtyard of PS1 Museum in New York City.

To express action in a setting, Clarke creates this photo to show the “reflection of the uniquely dressed older man looking at the young woman.”

With most of these photos, Clarke is trying to tell a story about a person somewhere who has an expression, or is doing an action.  He captures a decisive moment. He says light can also define the settings, or the peoples in the photos.

The Artworks exhibition also has a photograph by Clarke that is called, “Bicycle in Princeton.”

This local photo shows a male on a bicycle in a science building at Princeton University.

“I am interested in this location due to the people moving through the pattern of light and shadow created by the buildings sun screen,” explains Clarke.

As an architect, Clarke has the ability to choose the ideal spaces and buildings for his photos.

“I think he’s remarkable. Because he’s an architect, he has such an eye for how spaces and shapes and people all come together,” said John D. S. Hatch, FAIA, LEED AP at Clarke Caton Hintz Architectural and Planning Firm.

“It’s about the connections and contrasts of the people to the geometry,” he said.

At the opening reception to “People in Geometry,” Clarke expressed gratitude to be showing “this group of photos” in a neighborhood that he is “very familiar with.

He also mentioned that as an architect in the City, he was also involved with the creation of the Architects Housing, Passage Theater, and the home renovations in Mill Hill.

To become more familiar with John Clarke’s photography, visit his website at

https://johnclarke.smugmug.com

Categories
Local News

Rediscover connections between humans and nature

PRINCETON, N.J. — At D&R Greenway Land Trust, an author and a photographer are exploring trees, miniscule plants and other species from a different perspective.

Author Andrea Fereshteh expresses her love for trees in this image.
– Provided photo

Author Andrea Fereshteh and Photographer Tasha O’Neill offer unique views of their take on nature.

Fereshteh will discuss her book called, “In the Company of Trees,” Thursday at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, while O’Neill currently has a display of her close-up photography of oft-overlooked nature called “From a Child’s Perspective“ at D&R Greenway’s Olivia Rainbow Gallery.

“Practicing being present in nature has been a truly transformative experience for me,” Fereshteh says.

Fereshteh credits the lands preserved by D&R Greenway and other local conservation groups for inspiring her to write a newly published book about the ancient and enduring wisdom of trees.

“We are so lucky to have so many amazing preserved natural spaces in our area. They are incredible resources for experiencing firsthand the magic of nature, and I am thrilled to encourage others to get outside and take advantage of our local trails by sharing this new book,” she says.

Fereshteh has an interest in blending mindful and contemplative practices with nature, which has led her into the woods of central New Jersey where she has practiced forest bathing for the past two years.

Her book is full of short essays, inspirational quotes and color photographs that can be enjoyed piece-by-piece, allowing the reader to savor the experience of trees, healing and nature.

Likewise, O’Neill’s photography focuses macro-lenses on the unusual and the tiniest plants in nature that give the Olivia Rainbow Gallery art lovers the outdoor experiences of the late Artist Olivia Kuenne.

“I seem to be drawn to the unusual. The tiniest plants compel me, as though I were still my child self. I am pleased that D&R Greenway invited me to share these images from the child’s perspective for Olivia’s Rainbow Gallery,” O’Neill explains.

Photographer Tasha O’Neill focuses her macro lenses on this blue egg shell laying out there in nature.
— Provided photo

O’Neill’s art regularly appears in the Princeton-area juried exhibitions.

Recently, D&R Greenway demonstrated her one-person exhibition of her “Forest Bathing” art in their Soul of a Tree display; and is also highlighting her Golden Light art about the apotheosis of winter trees in their Lovely as a Tree display.

This artist grew up in a diverse countryside of Germany, where her family was dedicated to nature.

“There we would walk; explore; learn about wild plants and berries; and then nap in the meadow. With our faces so close to the flowers, the gentle buzzing of insects would lull us to sleep,” she states.

Both Fereshteh and O’Neill are sharing their love for nature locally.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Fereshteh will discuss the inspiration for her book.

A month later, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 21, she will lead a mediation workshop focused on trees, healing and nature at the Johnson Education Center, where participants will also walk through Greenway Meadows Park.

During the walk Fereshteh will guide them to pause and ignite their senses at different points so they will experience the benefits of being immersed in nature.

These Princeton events are free, but require registration at rsvp@drgreenway.org, or by calling 609-924-4646.

The public can see O’Neill’s other exhibitions such as Gifts from the Sea at Merwick’s Millstone Gallery in Princeton from March 10 to May 9. And, Princeton’s Nassau Club will feature her Shapes of Water artwork in November and December this year.

Follow these links to place an ad, or to make a secure donation:

www.themediapub.com/advertise

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Categories
Art & Life

Smith Family extends principles of annual Kwanzaa event to everyday

TRENTON, N.J. – When the Smith Family Foundation of New Jersey (SFFNJ) began celebrating

At the Smith’s Family Kwanzaa365 event last Saturday from L-R are Kimberly Clark-Bryant of CM Events Planners; Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora; and Katherine Nunnally, executive director of the Smith Family Foundation of NJ.
– Photo by Michelle Dryden

community Kwanzaa two years ago, they did not realize it would grow so fast.

After attaining national attention as New Jersey Powerball lottery winners in 2016, the family formed SFFNJ, and decided to give back to the Trenton community where they are from.

So last Saturday, the SFFNJ hosted their 2nd  Annual Community Kwanzaa 365  (Umoja) Celebration at the Trenton War Memorial for about seven hours starting at 11 a.m.

This year, the event got bigger and now the family wants everyone to implore the principles of Kwanzaa everyday of the year.

“There were about 1000 people,” said Kimberly Clark-Bryant, event coordinator of CM Event Planners. “It doubled” from the previous year at the Trenton YMCA, she said.

In the mix at the new location, were members of Trenton Police Department, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusicora, who applauded the SFFNJ and their hosts of corporate and community partners for a daylong of events that focused on unity, or Umoja, which is one of the seven Kwanzaa principles.

“If we are going to progress as a City we have to work together,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Smith Foundation is really instrumental in bringing people together,” he said.

The mayor commented that the event was a great celebration of Kwanzaa, and also mentioned other events going on in the City at that time such as the Battle of Trenton re-enactment. He said the City is lively and it celebrates life, and that it was a great day to celebrate unity as well.

Katherine Nunnally, executive director of SFFNJ, was excited to have the mayor to represent the Trenton community for the purpose of unity.

“I am excited that the mayor is here today, because we really wanted to reach out to the entire Trenton community, so we’ll be able to celebrate together; so we can tell a great story about what’s happening in Trenton, and show the wonderful things that Trenton has to offer.”

She explained that Kwanzaa is a seven-day African-American holiday that “celebrates the entire diaspora of the African people all over the world,” and that by celebrating one of its principles name Umoja, they wanted to involve all Trenton’s residents.

The daylong event Saturday featured a marketplace of fun activities and local talents.

Wowing the audience, were performers from Trenton Circus Squad, Youth Turn Performing Arts Company, and Watson & Johnson Dance Theatre.

There were also activities in The House of Zawadi where Trenton Artist Kenneth Lewis Sr. taught the children how to create African-styled masks, Romare Beardon style collages, and quilt making.

In another room, lecturers told tales of the diaspora that included the history and principles of Kwanzaa by Harold Smith; dance movements throughout the diaspora by Patricia Matos; and “The cultural relevance of holiday celebrations,’’ by Nwasha Edu.

At the end of the day, Sprout U Performing Arts School of Trenton entertained the crowd with “The Lion King Jr.” performance.

SFFNJ also gifted several prizes to attendees as donations in celebration of Kwanzaa365.

Kwanzaa began Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, 2019.

For more information about the SFFNJ, please visit www.sffnj.org.

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