Neighbor News
The Morris County Arts Workshop to debut new public artwork this Sat., Aug. 15, 2015 from 5 - 6:30 pm
A mural by 40 special needs artists will be unveiled at the Chester Springs (ShopRite) Mall in Chester followed by a reception at the Hive.
As part of its growing Public Art initiative, The Morris County Arts Workshop (MCAW), the non-profit group dedicated to the nurturing and promotion of the arts in the area, will debut its latest creation at the Chester Springs (ShopRite) Mall in Chester on Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A celebration of one’s unique abilities, the nine foot by 12 foot mural entitled “Our World” is a collaboration of more than 40 special needs artists who attend the Center for Enhancing Abilities (CEA) program in Cedar Knolls, NJ. The artists will join in a ribbon cutting followed by a meet and greet at the Hive, now located next to ShopRite in the Mall. Refreshments will be served from students in the CEA’s cooking program. The event is free to the public.
“We are so excited and proud to bring this amazing new piece of artwork to the Chester Springs Mall for shoppers and visitors to enjoy,” explains MCAW founder and director Jane Shatz. “What makes this work of art so special are the people involved in its creation. The artists were led by Will Sandoval and Rachael Bondy who conceptualized the idea and helped the students create their own countries. Then, they combined all of the countries to create a unique globe representing their harmonious community.”
Shatz continues, “We also have to thank Morris Arts, whose funding through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, made possible the partial funding for the artwork’s frame.”
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“We also cannot forget to give special thanks to Mr. Dennis Gershenson and Ramco-Gershenson, the property’s owner and management company, who believe strongly in promoting the arts,” Shatz adds. “The professionals at Ramco-Gershenson have tirelessly helped us advance our mission of providing art and music for all to appreciate and enjoy in the community. With Ramco-Gershenson, we have formed a non-profit partnership which we hope other business leaders will embrace to create neighborhoods enhanced by the arts. We appreciate and recognize Ramco-Gershenson as a leader in this field and encourage other businesses and non-profits to develop this model in their towns.”
These are just a few of the series of art shows and musical performances the non-profit organization, which brings after-school art, music, language arts, and cultural programs to youth and seniors in Chester, Mendham, Mt. Olive and surrounding areas, continues to host at its storefront location – the Hive. MCAW also offers a number of special classes and workshops. Some of the monthly activities include Paint and Wine for adults; Open Mic Night; Music Café special performances; and Movie Night with guided discussions.
Find out what's happening in Morris Township-Morris Plainsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
What’s more, Summer Camps are in full swing in Chester and Mendham. Some classes are still open. For additional information on offerings and to register, please visit www.mcartsworkshop.com.
MCAW is continually seeking financial support to continue its operations at The Hive and programs such as the successful annual Haunted Halloween Workshop coming up in October, Art in Public Spaces, Open Mic Night, Guest Art Displays and Lecture Series, Seniors Art Program, Writing Workshops, and its Home for the Arts building. Tax deductible donations can be made through www.mcartsworkshop.com. For additional information or to learn more on how you can help, please contact Director Jane Shatz at (908)531-8433.
About the Morris County Arts Workshop
Founded in 2003 by Jane Shatz, a Juilliard School of Music dance alumna and Chester resident, the Morris County Arts Workshop (MCAW) is a non-profit group created to nurture and promote the love for the arts in children of all ages. The program is community based and offers a wide variety of classes from musical instrument lessons to voice to painting to yoga to language and martial arts. Classes are currently held in Chester and Mendham public schools as well as The Hive in the Chester Springs Shopping Center on Route 206 in Chester, NJ. There are two sessions per year which culminate with a special Showcase performance and art display in the fall and spring. In addition, MCAW runs five weeks of summer camp for pre-kindergarten to age 15. For additional information and class schedules, please visit www.mcartsworkshop.com.
About the Center for Enhancing Abilities
The Center for Enhancing Abilities is a service of Progressive Comprehensive Services, LLC and is a qualified provider for the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities Self Directed / Real Life Choices Programs. For additional information, please visit www.progressivecomprehensiveservicesllc.com.
