The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation opens National Arts and Humanities and Jersey Arts Month in October with a celebration of ArtsBergen’s tenth anniversary supporting the arts, artists, and creative placemaking in Bergen County, New Jersey. A special Connect the Dots networking and workshop event features the artist collective, Works on Water.
The festivities take place on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Club/Alumni Hall, located at 990 Library Circle in Teaneck, New Jersey. The event is free and open to the public. A suggested donation of $10 is appreciated to support ten more years of building beautiful, connected communities through creative placemaking and public art. Refreshments will also be served.
Artists, environmentalists, and also municipal leaders will especially want to attend to learn more about how public art raises awareness about environmental issues, while building beauty and community. Pre-register online.
Works on Water
Works on Water is an organization and triennial exhibition dedicated to artworks, performances, conversations, and workshops, along with site-specific experiences exploring the diverse artistic investigation of water in the urban environment. Their artists and practitioners work with water, as a site and material in response to the urgency of a changing climate, increasing urban density, and a burgeoning public awareness of ecological concerns. Furthermore, their works connect to current economic, political, and global issues. In addition, they are in conversation with the traditions of Land Art, Public Art, and Performance Art, among others.
Sarah Cameron Sunde from Works on Water Photo Credit: Works on Water
Artists Emily Blumenfeld and Sarah Cameron Sunde from Works on Water will present an interactive, informative, contemplative workshop to imagine a new artist-designed future for the Hackensack River. The workshop includes an overview of the evolution and growing importance of Water Art followed by Cameron Sunde discussing her global project 36.5 /A Durational Performance with Sea. The workshop moves out to the river’s edge to experience the tidal shift from an embodied perspective. During the workshop, attendees will work together to create concepts for public art related to water. Participants will also have the opportunity to network and learn more about getting involved in Works on Water’s triennial exhibition.
NNJCF Enriches Life in Northern New Jersey
The NNJCF builds connections, pools resources, and provides leadership to enrich quality of life. The Foundation works in these eight counties in New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren. Through its work in northern New Jersey, the Foundation seeks to develop more creative and inspiring places. The organization also works to create greener and healthier places, as well as more places of belonging and opportunity.
For ten years, ArtsBergen has worked with artists, arts organizations, businesses and municipal leaders. They used the arts to shape the social, physical, cultural, and economic identity of communities. This regional alliance produced and promoted public art projects. They addressed a range of community issues. These included downtown revitalization, gentrification, and mental health, as well as environmental concerns. ArtsBergen’s Connect the Dots program presented networking events for the arts community and those interested in the arts. Held in different venues, each event presented a range of exciting activities and time to network. These activities also included exhibitions and speakers, as well as unique, interactive arts experiences.
ArtsBergen’s Connect the Dots aims to create a safe and open environment. In this environment, artists and other community sector representatives convene and spark relationships and collaborate. The program also strengthens and connects the arts community through professional development presentations. In addition, artists share creative ideas, work, resources and talent. For further information about the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, ArtsBergen, or Connect the Dots, contact nnjcf@nnjcf.org or call 201-568-5608.
