The Community Chest's Opening Reception Draws Crowd to bergenPAC

The Community Chest launched its first 85th anniversary event, an art exhibition Stills From Life, with an opening reception held on February 8 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center's (bergenPAC) Sandy Bennett Art Gallery in Englewood. The exhibition features the work of these artists: Charlie Hudson, Caslon Bevington, Lindsea Bevington, Jay Gittens, Julia Powers, and Calypso Vaga. Sponsored in partnership with bergenPAC, Apostrophe NYC, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation's ArtsBergen initiative and Westy's Self-Storage, the exhibition runs through February 28.

The opening reception attracted over 75 people from Englewood and the surrounding area. During the reception, the public met the artists and enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

Sale of Art Supports The Chest

A portion of the proceeds of the sale of the art is contributed to The Chest. "We were delighted to welcome so many people to the Stills From Life art exhibition's opening reception, a first for The Community Chest. The public demonstrated much enthusiasm for the artists' work. We invite visitors to support The Chest and purchase the artists' impressive work," said Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director, The Community Chest.

Art for the People

The art exhibition introduced the first project of The Chest's initiative, Art for the People, a new collaborative effort to bring art to the community in observance of the organization's milestone 85th anniversary. An educational program, taught by the exhibit's artists, offers four one-hour group classes for area community middle and high school students. A second class provides two one-hour group classes for senior citizens.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Since its founding, The Chest has raised $2 million, the equivalent of $62 million, when adjusted for inflation, and served 89 nonprofit organizations. The Chest supports area nonprofits addressing a range of issues, including health and mental health, hunger, arts programming, the environment, and volunteerism for approximately 50,000 people annually. Twenty-three agencies providing social, cultural, recreational, and educational services to local residents in need of all ages received grant awards in 2017.

For information about the 85th anniversary celebration, events, programs, grants, or other details, call 201-568-7474 or contact shelly@communitychestofenglewood.org.

Photos A

1) Left to right. Dick Kennedy, President, The Community Chest's Board of Managers

Irmari Nacht, Englewood artist and Co-President of the Englewood Historical Society)

George McKenna, Executive Director of The Office of Concern Food Pantry

2) Left to right.

Ki Smith, co-founder/curator, Apostrophe NYC

artist Charlie Hudson

artist Caslon Bevington