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want to get involved with the Arts Council. Doing those events and being able to keep them free for the public is really part of our mission, and is at the very core of the things that we do here.” The Arts Council’s Day of the Dead celebration, which takes place at the Paul Robeson Center mixes fun, food and a cultural celebration. Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that takes place around Halloween and honors friends and family members who have died. The Arts Council’s celebration includes paper flower making, sugar skull decorating, face painting and Mexican food. “I had no idea if it would take off, but the very first Day of the Dead, our building was packed,” Ms. Evans says. “We had a mariachi band, we had all this Mexican food and so many people came. You’d look across the room and it was people from every background.” The program has become so popular that it is now held in the Courtyard at the Princeton Shopping Center and the Arts Council’s pop-up location. Another annual celebration is the Arts Council Martin Luther King Jr. Day event. The day not only honors Martin Luther King, but other non-violent leaders such as Gandhi and Mother Teresa. “We like to get out of our doors as much as possible,” Ms. Evans says. “In the past two years, we’ve had a big initiative to
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bring a lot of public art into the town.” That public art included last year’s “Parklet,” a seating area in a parking space outside Small World Coffee. “We just want to keep getting out there and spreading art and activities and festivals and parades and events and music outside of our doors,” Ms. Evans says. “We are so fortunate to be in this community, where we are so well received.” And people in Princeton are always ready to get in on the fun. “You put a big mask on and walk down the street, and you’ll be shocked how many people start to follow you,” Ms. Evans says with a laugh. “We’re really connected with the community and we’re blessed that they are connected with us.” Practice Your Craft If you’re an artist looking to learn more, or if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush and want to discover your inner masterpiece, the Arts Council offers an array of programming. These include core classes and innovative programs that address the interests of students and instructors. As Liz Murray, education director for the Arts Council, notes, the arts council’s programs offer “breadth” in respect to age range, media and instructors, and “depth,” for artists ranging from beginners to advanced. Programs are designed to fit various schedules, as you can take a one-off workshop or a multi-week class.
Day, Sports, and Specialty camps THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL for boys and girls, ages 3-6 IN LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ
JUNE 20 - AUGUST 19
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