Artist Spotlight: Lisa Lackey
“Maplewood’s Grace’ is a fabric-collaged image of commuters waiting on the platform for their train to NYC. This artwork is my tribute to this unique town, which embraces a wide berth of racial, religious, and social spectrums. I hope my piece will give pause to busy commuters and families alike who pass it, and will remind them to celebrate this special tenet of our town. We are a community with a strong moral code of courteous good will and respect for each other. The rainbow expresses the joy of our diversity and of Maplewood’s everyday grace with all its people.”
- Lisa Lackey
Instead 5K Register Now for Achieve’s INstead 5K Race Sept 25-27
For 17 years, the Newstead 5K race has kicked off the new school year in South Orange-Maplewood, attracting hundreds of enthusiastic runners and walkers for a morning of healthy activity,
Artist Spotlight: Ekaterina Ermilkina, Art In Motion
"Architecture first drew me in and became a subject of my painting while I was in graduate school…When I first came to the U.S., the experience of seeing skyscrapers for the first time had an enormous imaginative impact. The modernist style of the buildings seemed to demand a more modernist artistic approach, and I was inspired to create my urban series."
— Ekaterina Ermilkina
Lydia Johnson Dance to Present Live Outdoor Performance
Lydia Johnson Dance will present a live performance of the closing section of Johnson's ballet "Clearing," set to music by Philip Glass. The outdoor performance will take place Saturday, September 12, 6 PM, in Maplewood Village NJ at the intersection of Highland Street and Maplewood Avenue, near the outdoor dining area. Masks and social distancing are required
Artist Spotlight: Elijah Minton, Springfield Avenue Partnership Public Art Initiative
Inspired by the theme "Our Community Looking Forward" Elijah Minton used his memories and experiences working in Maplewood as a young teen. He was struck by the diversity of the community and, just as much, by how the community works together to lift all people, of all backgrounds and races to a better future.
SIGNS OF LIFE: An Evening of Safe Social Distant Theater Airs inMaplewood's Outdoor Amphitheater
Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture is proud to be a sponsor of “Signs of Life: An Evening of Safe Social Distant Theater” in Maplewood’s Memorial Park Amphitheater. The production is brought to you by The Distance Theater Youth Collective and will take place Memorial Day Weekend, September 4 through September 6, 2020.
Artist Spotlight: Jennifer McClory, Art In Motion
True to the Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture mission of ensuring that art and culture experiences are inclusive and accessible to all, this week’s featured artist is Jennifer McClory with the Maplewood Arts Council Art In Motion Project. Residents can enjoy public artwork safely while outdoors and socially distant.
New Fund Launched to Help New Jersey’s Arts and Culture Industry Survive COVID-19
A coalition of funders has established the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund (NJACRF) to help ensure the survival of the state’s cultural sector that has faced economic devastation from the COVID-19 pandemic.
MULTICULTURAL WORLD MUSIC PERCUSSION PROGRAM LAUNCHES FOR MAPSO YOUTH
Maplewood Dividion of Arts & Culture introduces a new 8-week Multicultural World Music Percussion Program beginning September 12, 2020, led by Melodic Percussionist, Professor Lyndon Achee.
Artist Spotlight: Aimee Mower Lally, Art In Motion
“This piece came from a series of paintings titled ‘In Between Spaces,’ which documents the journey between New York City and the suburbs of New Jersey. It contemplates our comings and goings and all that lies between—the rapidly changing landscape and the life transitions that lead us to where we are.” — Aimee Mower Lally
Barat Foundation - Open Call for Artists - Animodes
This is an open call for artists to design and paint, along with members of the Newark Gem Project, our new 8 foot high aluminum Animodules, BLACK LIVES MATTER.
New Arts & Culture Director Ready for Coronavirus Challenges in Maplewood
Some employees had to learn to pivot when the coronavirus pandemic rolled in. Ana De Archuleta knew what she was getting into when she was hired at the end of April to be the new Director of the Division of Arts & Culture for Maplewood.She said she understood the challenge, “to try to continue the way the division had been working, which is a lot of events. I mean, this office books around 10 events a week on a regular season.”
FALL PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR SPRINGFIELD AVENUE GAZEBO CONCERT SERIES
The Springfield Avenue Gazebo Concert Series returns to Maplewood in early fall on August 28th, and runs through September 25th. All concerts will take place on Friday nights starting at 7pm and are free and open to the public.
Artist Spotlight: Adam Gustavson, Art In Motion
Adam Gustavson Photo by Rich Silivanch
“The Tunnelers—a badger, a groundhog, several worms, and other assorted critters—are all travelers or makers of subterranean passageways. A pedestrian underpass seems like a natural place for them to be commuting through, while the commute, in itself, is the magical equalizer of the suburbs. Whatever our pecking order or business, even the hungry owls and tempting moles have to tolerate each other while in transit.” - Adam Gustavson
Arts Council introduces Maplewood Black Lives Matter Poetry Project
The Maplewood Arts Council is proud to present Maplewood Black Lives Matter Poetry Project, slated for installation in September, 2020.