An exhibit called Structure that features a series of photographs is now on display through April 4, at Overlook
A photograph from the “Structure” exhibit now showing at Overlook Auxiliary Gallery at the Overlook Hospital in Summit. — Provided photo
Auxiliary Gallery inside the Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J.
The Structure exhibit, curated by Ray Yaros, consists of 68 photographs made by 19 New Jersey Photography Forum (NJPF) members.
The photographers challenged their talents to create images that focus on an arrangement and organization of interrelated elements in material objects, or systems.
“Material structures include man-made objects such as buildings and machines, but could be something from nature as well, as with a spider web, or an amazing tree trunk,” states Nancy Ori of NJPF.
She explains that there are often details in objects such as a grand staircase, or a church roof where the beauty of the design far exceeds the intended purpose.
The NJPF is a group of experienced photographers that was started in 1995 by Ori, who is from Berkeley Heights, and by Michael Creem, from Summit. It serves as an opportunity to gather and talk about their work, as well as to explore exhibition opportunities within the fine arts community.
“The group has grown over the years to become the largest and most recognized group of fine art exhibiting photographers in the State,” Ori says.
Members have a variety of artistic styles and use a wide range of photographic techniques, she states.
They produce 10-12 exhibits annually throughout the State and welcome new members to their monthly meetings at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit.
The Structure exhibit at the Overlook Hospital is on the fifth floor. It is a free-of-charge show opened to the public 24 hours each day. Ask the receptionist at the main entrance for directions.
The “fine and varied” artwork of the late Leslie Vought Kuenne is now on display at Olivia Rainbow Gallery in Princeton, through Feb. 6.
These are the late Leslie Kuenne’s photography artwork at D&R Greenway’s Olivia Rainbow Gallery. – By Lisa Granozio
In memory of the late Kuenne, D&R Greenway’s Olivia Rainbow Gallery maintains the art space in perpetuity, honoring Leslie and Chris Kuenne’s late daughter, Olivia Michelle.
Her mother’s exhibit, Light, Stillness & Beauty, — named by co-curator, Lisa Granozio – evokes the stunning variety of this array of unexpected nature subjects.
“In life, Kuenne downplayed the power of her arresting paintings and photographs,” says D&R Greenway’s contact person, Carolyn Edelmann.
Her lively, even quirky works feature a hefty Savoy cabbage that contends with the intimacy of a softly burgeoning tulip. Her saucy rooster painting challenges a nearby portrait of a nearly exploding tulip.
Kuenne’s approaches to tulips in particular, could be said to be that of a deep-sea diver. A billow of antique lace holds its own above her challenging scene of hairy knees and reaching hands.
This artist’s remarkable close-up of local ice contends in both hue and line with her intense oil of a Vermont sunset.
Kuenne’s family is highly artistic and passionate about paintings, sculptures, gardens, and even storytelling. But she has taken her own art to unexplored levels.
One can say her specialty is in contrasting. Visitors to the Olivia Rainbow Gallery are guided on diverse journeys of entwining leaves softening harshly weathered woods; also, where brittle paint curls contrast with severe straightness in a venerable fence.
Kuenne was also a generous public servant, multi-faceted friend and diverse artist, who possessed other lesser-known talents such as gifted chef, and even inventive gardener.
Her husband is also remarkable in his work at Princeton University, and is also an author, and the founder of Rosetta and Rosemark Capital. Her husband and her two sons, with her sister Victoria, joined Granozio in choosing images for the compact, yet wide-ranging memorial exhibition.
A new arts and culture organization is marking its inception with an opening reception downtown Fort Lee Nov. 8., debuting a pop-up show entitled “2019 All Media Exhibition.’’
The company of artists are known as Fort Lee Art Group (FLAG) who have adopted the slogan, “Art for Everyone,” and is dedicated to connecting people and facilitating collaboration between every art form and creative endeavors.
FLAG’s Art for Everyone includes, “art marketing; networking events; corporate workshops; individual fundraisers; private auctions; and traveling shops with art, crafts, and gifts from local creators…,” explains Nichell Delvaille, FLAG gallery manager.
She states that these are just some of the items on FLAG’s burgeoning catalog of projects and programs that are available to individuals, small businesses and large companies.
FLAG’s debut show will feature its “flagship” artist, Tony “Claxon Du Soleil” Seker, who is a local creative personality, an abstract painter of colorful works of art that represent his self-created French moniker, which roughly means “blast from the sun.”
Tony “Claxon Du Soleil” Seker is FLAG’s featured artist for debut exhibition Nov. 8. — Provided photo
Seker is a pillar of the arts community in the Fort Lee area. He acts as vice president of the non-profit organization Fort Lee Artists Guild, and he shows his work throughout Bergen County from the Modern and the Recreation centers to local fairs and festivals.
His artistic reach and exhibitions have also extended into the larger metropolitan regions such as Hoboken, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New York State. He has received multiple awards from juried shows throughout the tri-state area.
In addition to Seker’s paintings, FLAG will also present pieces from several other artists in the upcoming exhibition. It is still seeking submissions for artwork as well as applications for live musical performances during the opening reception.
The Group expects the occasion to attract all kinds of different artists as well as art enthusiasts and hopes to act as a breeding ground for new and exciting ideas in the future, says Delvaille.
As Tenton Art All Night 2019 returns from last year’s tragedy, supporters are excited about the artwork seen here. — Photo by Michelle Dryden
With beefed up law enforcement following last year’s tragic incident, the 24-hour Artworks event was scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Saturday and to end at its usual time Sunday at 3 p.m., but there was a significant break from 1 to 7 a.m., for this year only.
This year, there were two public entrances to the event that the staff closed during the break as they asked patrons to leave at 1 a.m., and invited them to return at 7 a.m.
Artworks Director Lauren Otis explained that, “We want everyone to be comfortable…coming back, so we decided to close the event in the wee hours, but next year we’ll be back 24-hours.”
Otis appreciated turnout to see the art by 6 p.m. Saturday. He also said that more than 900 artists who
promised to continue to support the fest submitted artworks, but there were about 500 less than last year.
This year’s incident-free Art All Night event depicts the City’s beauty, with everything coming “together in a perfect triumphant storm,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who spoke to a positive crowd at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Gov. Murphy said, “Art measures the soul of this particular community.” He believes that whatever takes place in Trenton affects the entire State of New Jersey.
Thanking all the supporters including City workers, law enforcement, artists, and the community at large, the Gov. officially kicked off the event by cheering it on.
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.
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.
Follow these links to place an ad, or to make a secure donation:
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – A forceful and dedicated leader, the
Rabbi Eric B. Wisnia plans to retire from Congregation Beth Chain in West Windsor after 42 years of service. — Provided photo
senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Chaim will retire after 42 years of service.
Rabbi Eric B. Wisnia announced that he plans to resign from leading the congregation Jan. 31, 2019.
Wisnia joined Congregation Beth Chaim in 1977, and has led the synagogue through substantial growth by presiding over more than 4,000 life cycle events.
One of his most recent life cycle events was his mother’s funeral a few months ago.
“My congregants were here to support me, just as I have supported them all these years,” says Wisnia.
A powerful voice for religious liberty, he believes that, “We are all brothers and sisters, and when any of our rights are diminished, all of our rights are diminished.”
The community heard Wisnia’s voice when he advocated for building a Muslim Center of Greater Princeton in West Windsor. This led the mosque to honor him with a Community Service Award in Dec. 2014.
He said he supported the building because his religion teaches him that we are our brothers’ keepers.
“My torah tells me to love the ‘stranger,’’’ he states.
Wisnia is very community oriented and has received other recognitions.
In September, the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer-Bucks also honored Wisnia for his dedicated service to the community.
Several times, he served as president for Windsor-Hightstown Area Ministerium, where the community’s clergy meet to address community issues such as feeding the homeless at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and Homefront, and participating in the CROP Hunger Walk with Church World Service.
Wisnia’s service also includes being on the Jewish Committee on Scouting for the Central New Jersey Council Boy Scouts of America.
His other affiliations include: Serving on the Institutional Review Board for Medical Ethics of the Medical Center at Princeton; chairman of the Committee on Religious Ministries at the Medical Center for many years; chairman of the Board of Directors of the Family Service Agency of Princeton; and was active with the New Jersey West Hudson Valley Area Reform Rabbis, where he was president.
After all this, the rabbi says he is looking forward to life after service.
He jokes that after retirement he will be a bum, annoy his wife and children, play war games on the computer, and seriously write a book about slavery, racism and the Civil War.
To conclude his service, Congregation Beth Chaim will celebrate Wisnia’s role in the synagogue and the community by hosting a benefit gala on Nov.3.
For tickets, journal ads and information about other events to honor Wisnia, please visit www.bethchaim.org/benefit.
PENNINGTON, N.J. – In addition to other camps, the non-profit, Hope Loves Company, HLC young ambassadors travel to Iceland last July. — Provided photo (HLC) is now offering a free weekend retreat for teenagers and young adults who have been closely affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“We hope that this new paradigm will address the unique needs of young adults who are caregivers, who have more responsibilities in their roles transferring people with ALS, seating and dressing them,” said Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, the founder of HLC.
O’Donnell-Ames said HLC is trying to help campers with their emotional and physical wellness by providing a safe haven of peer support and relaxation for these young caregivers.
This new HLC Teen Retreat is opened to ages 15-21, and will offer many fun experiences allowing attendees from across the nation who have attended Camp HLC before to reconnect with old friends while making new ones. It will take place Sept. 7 to 9 at the Barn at Gravity Hill in Titusville, N.J.
You can learn more about ALS and Camp HLC that have also been featured on The Today’s Show on NBC television.
“Plight” performer kneels with pairs of shoes on the floor to demonstrate her immigration issues. — Provided photo
WAYNE, N.J. – Titilayo Majoyeogbe is the director and choreographer of a fairly new dance company — T. MAJ Dance – that recently demonstrated its mission to address sociopolitical issues and encourage activism through dance performances.
T. MAJ Dance company presented its premiere performance called “Plight,” by implementing text, audio, props, visual and innovative movements to depict one of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis – immigration.
Majoyeogbe believes “Plight” dance show is culturally relevant.
“As a choreographer, I always want to create a dance that seeks to bring the unspoken, neglected, rejected and under-told histories and stories of marginalized people to light through movement,” Majoyeogbe states.
According to Majoyeogbe, “Plight” is culturally relevant because it reveals the sacrifices of family divisions among immigrants.
She said the performers explore their sacrifices by creating moments of dependency and independency, and security and disconnection.
The dancers demonstrate the issues of immigrants through “small yet intense vernacular gestures that speak of dignity, power, determination and desperation,” Majoyeogbe states.
The dance movements create a surreal experience charged with mystery and analogy that invite viewers to feel empowered, self-reflect and take action, she explains.
As a choreographer, she pushes the boundaries of creative movements while she tries to inspire viewers by creating a sense of hope in the midst of worldwide sociopolitical issues, she says.
In general, “Plight” performance revolves around immigration, culture resilience, humanity and community.
Her choreography is meant “to initiate conversations among people and to help keep the channels open to humanity and the realms of social inclusion,” she infers.
Thai-Burmese members at FBCT in Trenton. L-R: Precious, Valerie, Martha, Christal. They prayed for the soccer team trapped in Thailand cave recently. — Photo by Michelle Dryden
TRENTON, N.J. – Pray Meh is from Burma, a country near Thailand, and is among more than two dozen Thai-Burmese congregation members at First Baptist Church of Trenton, (FBCT) whose prayers have been answered for the safe rescue of the Thai Wild Boars soccer team and their coach from the flooded Tham Luan Nang Non cave complex in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Although many of the Thai-Burmese members at FBCT said they are not cavers themselves, what was happening in their country certainly affected them because of their Christian beliefs to show love to humanity and community.
“They are very-loving people, and so when anything happens in their country they are affected because they are a family-oriented people,” said Rev. Nadir Powell of FBCT.
So, while the Thai Navy SEALS were preparing for their dramatic rescue efforts inside the cave, the Trenton-area Thai-Burmese members of FCBT were praying for a safe and timely rescue, and were trying to stay upbeat at Great Adventures with Rev. Powell who thought the trip would help them cope.
FBCT leader, Rev. Calvin Nadir Powell, supports the Thai-Burmese members of his church during the saga in their country. — Photo by Michelle Dryden
“Of course when I found out that they found the boys I was really happy, “ said Christal Hla. “I was happy that everyone was alive. But one of the rescuers died in that cave, and that’s sad. It’s gonna take a long time to get them out of the cave. I am hoping they’ll make it out safe – all of them.”
The comments were nearly all similar. They were very prayerful and faithful even though they understood the rescue would be treacherous.
Martha Hla also said she was worried about the situation, and was hoping they will make it out safely. She believed God would show a miracle, and said we can all support them with our prayers.
Kahmiya Win was concerned that the boys cannot swim, and was hoping the Thai Navy SEALS and other rescuers would find another way to get them out.
She also praised the diver who died while trying to help the boys and their coach.
“It’s sad that one passed away. But he kinda gave his life helping others. It’s kinda good, but it’s probably not.”
However, the recent success of the rescue where all 12 boys from the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach have been saved is definitely a great outcome for the Thai and Burmese folks at FBCT.
The reverend of the FBCT was a crucial support for them during that time. He said that they asked him to pray for them.
“So, one of the teenagers came to me and showed me the clipping about (the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach who were trapped in the flooded cave). She told me to let us pray for them. I said to myself, that’s nothing but the love of God,” said Rev. Powell.
According to Rev. Powell, most of the Thai and Burmese people who come to his church are God-fearing, God-loving people who have experienced religious persecution for being Christians in their homelands.
“Most of them who come here are already a part of the body of Christ,” said Rev. Powell. “So they come and want to serve, and they just want to do God’s work. They are praying people.”
The Rev. Powell also explained that the Thai-Burmese people are conditioned to care about human lives because of their plights of life experiences in their countries.
Hardships in human lives really affect them because “some of their families came out of refugee camps, and some came out of villages that were ransacked by the military, but there is just a natural God love in them,” said Rev. Powell.
TRENTON, N.J. — Recently, the City of Trenton recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month, which occurs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with the return of the Puerto Rican Day Parade along South Broad and Front streets, and in Mill Hill Park, Trenton.
According to attendees, the parade has been absent from the city for at least four years due to budgetary problems and seemingly lack of participation. However, this year, the turnout was huge and there were vendors, music, food, contests, and plenty of enthusiasm.
George Jones, a resident of Mill Hill District, said the parade had ceased for a few years, “due to the weather and participation. We couldn’t get enough sponsors,” he said.
He added that the heritage is very important, and so it is a good idea to bring it back because Trenton has lost its heritage. He also mentioned that there used to be other parades such as the African and Jamaican parades, and that the kids need to see that we can all come together.
An attendee, Susana Rios, said it has been about four or five years ago since she has been to a Puerto Rican Day Parade in Trenton. She said she was enjoying the music, the vendors and the parade.
Others, such as Erin Lind, said she was also enjoying the return of the parade and was looking forward to the food.
