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THE STaTE OF THE aRTS
Taking the pulse of arts in Hamilton
Growing a Gospel choir
Nottingham proves student interest in music with town’s largest singing group
THOMAS KELLY
FIGHT IN THE MUSEUM
Art is something that we all learn about in school and use to make our homes, businesses and public spaces more beautiful or thought provoking. Culture is what separates us, as a society, showing that we value things that can educate and entertain us. Culture can be fashion, food, literature and music. Being in the midst of art and culture can boost our own creativity, it can awaken our imagination. We can see how other groups and individuals think and what is important to them. We can be encouraged to be a little artistic and cultured ourselves. But most of all, arts and culture can be fun. It should be enjoyable to see, hear, feel and taste new things and observe a different outlook. We can all enjoy a play, a song or a terrific photograph. We like films, books, singers and city murals. But do we value arts and culture enough to support it? When we say support, we mean attend, pay for a ticket, encourage a stuSee KELLY, Page 9
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP
By Thomas Kelly
Their courage and compassion inspire us all.
Artist Mike Gyampo shows one of his works to a guest at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Gyampo has his studio at GFS’s Motor Exhibits Building. (Photo by David Michael Howarth.)
Proving Grounds Grounds For Sculpture balances its future with its community’s
One morning, a message written in chalk appeared in front of an RWJBarnabas Health facility. The words couldn’t have been simpler, or more stirring,The New York andsoul gardens. corner of Hamilton Township or more accurate. on the former New Jersey Times recently named GFS—
state fairgrounds, Grounds along with Storm King Art For Sculpture has gained Center in New York and the acclaim as a world-class “Heroes art Minneapolis Sculpture Garpark since artistwork andhere.” philan- den in Minnesota—as one thropist Seward Johnson of the country’s “can’t miss” founded it in 1992. On its 42 sculpture gardens. In a norBy RoB Anthes acres, GFS features more mal year, it draws 250,000 peoThree words of gratitude and encouragement that When it comes to arts and than 300 outdoor sculptures ple through its gates. capture the courage and compassion of health But GFS has a delicate baland six indoor galleries with culture in Hamilton Township, workers hereexhibitions, and across as America. To share your to maintain, a balance rotating well ance seemingly everyone agrees thanks to support our that Emergency between Fund, its reputation as a as aorcultural center offers Response on one thing: it all starts with volunteer opportuni- nationally renowned tourist Grounds For Sculpture. visit classes, rwjbh.org/heroes Situated in the northwest ties, lectures, music events See GROUNDS, Page 10
The Nottingham High School Gospel Choir is a microcosm of Hamilton Township. Directed by Kelly Dunn Hall since 2000, the choir exemplifies the school’s and the town’s diversity. Fellow music teacher Meg Hanson had the original idea to start a more diverse choir at Nottingham in 1998. “It was her idea to appeal to the needs of Nottingham’s diverse community,” Hall said. “Meg wanted to have a choir which would include and celebrate African American music and composers. She must be given the credit for getting the ball rolling to what the choir has become today.” Hanson led the choir for a year and then moved to teach at the elementary school level. Hall started at Nottingham in 2000, and has seen the school’s Gospel Choir explode into what Hall says is the largest choir in Hamilton. The choir performs several times a year, and has See CHOIR, Page 8
And please, for them, stay home and safe.
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