Art Center 90th Anniversary Exibit

On Friday, Sept. 16, the Visual Art Center of New Jersey (VACNJ), founded in 1933 as the Summit Art Center, will begin a yearlong celebration of its 90th Anniversary when it opens its fall exhibition, “Ripple Effect.”

The show will feature work by 37 of the center’s teaching artists and run through Jan. 8, 2023. The exhibition title speaks to the impact of the faculty who impart their skills and expertise to students of all ages in the Studio School and community programs. The exhibition explores three themes: abstract works, works exploring natural and built environments, and works that plumb the space between the imagined and the real. The artists’ practices include painting, sculpture, drawing, photography and textiles.

VACNJ’s Main Gallery showcases observations of the world around us, highlighting nearby rivers, historic landmarks and industrial sites. Mark de Mos and Janice Patrignani’s works reflect the solace found in experiencing nature during the pandemic, while Donna Conklin King and Judy Hugentobler respond to decaying environments. Valerie Larko, Duane Lutsko and Howard Nathenson portray the confluence of the natural world and the built environment.

The second thematic grouping features works that hover between the imagined and the real. Those featured include Joanna Murdock, Chris Lopez, Heidi SanFilippo, Mansa Mussa, Mary Jean Canziani, Stephen Yavorski and Eli Winter.

The Eisenberg Gallery focuses on abstract works. Highlighted artists are Chase Cantwell, Jessica Garber, Matthew Langley, Anita Gladstone and Diana Hsu Kung.

Emi Winter will present a large woven abstract rug, “Tree of Life.” The piece, woven by Tito Mendoza Ruiz in Oaxaca, Mexico, is named for the “arbol de la vida,” or tree of life, a common theme in many rugs.

The Marité and Joe Robinson Strolling Gallery I will host the documentation of the 90-year history of the Art Center, including rarely seen photographs, print materials, past publications and a nearly 40-foot-long timeline outlining key events in the organization’s history.

The VACNJ will host a series of events over the duration of the exhibition, including “The Narrative Impulse” panel discussion on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m. A second panel discussion, “Observing Observation: The Role of Environment in Artmaking,” is on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2. Additionally, the center will host a Last Look Closing Event on Jan. 8 at 2, which will include an informal artist talk. Visit artcenternj.org for details.

Abstract work by Chase Cantwell is included in the “Ripple Effect” show at the Visual Art Center of New Jersey in Summit that opens Sept. 16.

Visitors to Union County parks – including the Watchung Reservation and Summit’s Bryant Park -- are being encouraged to give outdoor gatherings a zero waste makeover by using washable or recyclable picnic gear including plates, cups, utensils and tablecloths.

“Cutting down on single-use paper or plastic items in our parks is a simple way to help the environment while enjoying the outdoors with friends and family,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

“Zero waste” generally refers to sturdy, reusable items that can be washed or recycled, instead of being disposed in landfills or incinerators.

First-timers can take a step-by-step approach to organizing zero waste meals and snacks, starting with a few items before moving on to others: 1. Inexpensive, reusable plates, cups and utensils are widely available for recreational camping

and other outdoor uses. They come in a variety of patterns and shatterproof materials including bamboo and stainless steel, as well as melamine and other durable plastics. 2. Reusable food containers can substitute for disposable plastic or foil food wrappings. Other reusable options include washable beeswax wraps and silicone pouches. 3. Washable cloth table covers or sturdy reusable plastic table covers can substitute for singleuse plastic tablecloths.

Union County residents can stay up to date with their local and countywide recycling programs by downloading the free Recycle Coach app.

For information about Recycle Coach and county-run recycling programs, visit ucnj.org/recycle.

Details about the Union County parks system are available at ucnj.org/parks.

Across the state, 33 organizations were recently awarded grants from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Among them is the Summit Interfaith Council. Its AntiRacism Committee will receive $13,203 to fund a presentation and book discussions that will use both fiction and nonfiction by authors of color to help educate participants on the economic, societal and personal costs of racism.

The recent grant cycle saw the NJCH award $402,514, following its largest response ever to a call for applications. There were 83 letters of intent submitted earlier this year.

“From telling underrepresented stories to exploring new modes of audience engagement as we emerge from the pandemic, the new grantees’ projects speak to the astonishing breadth and depth of public humanities work in the state,” said Carin Berkowitz, the NJCH’s executive director.

The Summit Interfaith Council, a coalition of leadership of the religious communities of Summit, exists to “seek the welfare of the city (Jeremiah 29:7).” Members said, “We recognize our common spiritual ground while celebrating the diversity of our traditions. Our purpose includes developing a voice to speak to the city and its people of out of our common religious perspectives.” Among the goals of the council is encouraging dialogue in order to appreciate the unique contributions of various perspectives.