Town Hall Becomes Art Hall

There’s an art to anything, and the Township’s Cultural Arts hopes to bring monthly showcases of local arts to the Municipal Building in 2012.

“We want to make it appealing and inviting, not just beige walls,” Committeeman Anthony Ferrera said of the plans. “We only put artwork up once or twice a year. Not only the children, but the adults—we have some great artists in town.”

The commission developed the idea during its last meeting, and hopes to create a hub for township and county arts. In addition to the monthly art showcases, the plan includes re-painting the Municipal Complex multi-purpose room and hanging inter-changeable art pieces throughout it, and installing the ArtSpot kiosk with township and county art events.

The kiosk would involve a digital media player and a 42-inch LED television screen, according to Ferrera. The cost of the screen and digital player, as well as the painting project, has not yet been established.

The project draws from professional, amateur and aspiring artists, particularly those in Hillsborough schools. Each member of the Cultural Arts Commission agreed to “adopt” a Hillsborough school as part of the project, Ferrera said.

“They’ll work with art teachers and students to create the art,” he said. “That way, no school is left out.”

Each month has a different exhibit theme and isn’t limited to visual art. Though the January theme is snow, other intended themes include poetry, photography, butterflies and flowers, sculpture and writing, Ferrera said.

All submission must include the monthly topic, and commission is already accepting submissions for the January gallery. Those submitting artwork must place the piece and a registration form, in a submission box at the library entrance by Jan. 6. Submissions cannot be monitored, however, and the show is “hang at your own risk”.

Residents with questions should contact Nancy Edwards at nancy.edwards@comcast.net.