​Art All Night at Arts Unbound

Arts Unbound, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the artistic achievement of people living with disabilities, will be hosting their third annual 24-hour art marathon from noon May 6 to noon on May 7.

The ArtBender is a 24-hour period of creativity and a crowdfunding event to support Arts Unbound's programs. Participants sign up to make art during ArtBender and raise pledges from friends and family to support their efforts.

Participants can create art at the Arts Unbound gallery, at other participating sites, or at home. Visitors are welcome at the Arts Unbound gallery at 544 Freeman St, Orange, anytime during the 24 -hour period to watch participants at work or to join in. The gallery will be open for the entire 24 hours with art projects for visitors to try and supplies donated by Jerry's Artist Outlet.

Supporters can also host their own “bender” event and invite guests to join them to make art and raise funds for the non-profit. A map of ArtBender sites is available on the event website – www.artbender.org. Last year, sixteen ArtBender sites were scattered throughout Orange, West Orange, South Orange, and Maplewood. Arts Unbound is encouraging local community-minded companies to host a bender event, participate at any bender event as a team.

You do not need to be an artist to take part. The point is to dedicate a period of time to being creative and thinking about the role the arts play in all our lives.

A selection of thirty of the works created during Artbender will be auctioned at The Dora Stern Gallery at Arts Unbound from 6-8pm on May 12, with proceeds benefiting Arts Unbound’s mission. The ArtBender Silent Auction, sponsored by realtor Natalie Farrell, will feature signature cocktails, cupcakes by Pink Cupcakes of West Orange, and music by dj Mojito Jones. The gallery is located in the Valley Arts District at 544 Freeman Street, in Orange. Auction tickets for $20 are available at artbender.org.

Visit the event website at www.artbender.org to sign up for ArtBender. To volunteer during the event, please email Margaret Mikkelsen at mmikkelsen@artsunbound.org or call 973-675-2787.

Arts Unbound is dedicated to the artistic achievement of people living with disabilities and to the continuing artistic enrichment of seniors. They provide visual arts education and professional development to help emerging artists compete on the retail market. By promoting the work of artists with disabilities and seniors, Arts Unbound centers their art-making rather than any impairments, and by doing so challenges the stigma associated with disability and aging. www.artsunbound.org.