by Sally Deering 

 In the 1920s, when Shirley Temple tapped into America’s hearts with her bouncing ringlets, ruffled crinolines and shiny black tap shoes, mothers from Canarsie to Kenosha trundled their daughters off to their local dance school dreaming of their baby girl’s name in lights. Nowadays, child stars go by first names like Britney, but the local dance school still thrives as the only training ground for kids who dream of a dancing career.

 One local dance pioneer who has kept the stage lights burning in her neighborhood dance studio for the past 34 years is Diane Dragone, Artistic Director of The Kennedy Dancers, a professional dance company and dance school that stands in the wings of New York City.  Through her school and with her years as a teacher and choreographer, Dragone has trained and enriched the lives of thousands of inner-city kids – some who became professional dancers — and she has brought modern and classical dance performances to the multi-cultural and economically-diverse Hudson community.

 On Friday and Saturday, May 7 and 8, dance-lovers will have the opportunity to see Dragone’s dynamic troupe perform when The Kennedy Dancers take the stage at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind in their beautiful theater space on Summit Avenue in Jersey City. This Spring Dance Concert will feature contemporary choreographer Sean Curran’s “Force of Circumstance,” and three Dragone choreographies:  “Caven Point” – about a Jersey City encampment during WWII; “La Dolce Vita,” Dragone’s valentine to her Italian heritage with songs by Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin and Louis Prima; and the World Premiere of “My Obsession with Cats,” – a choreography that’s close to Dragone’s animal-activist heart.

 A successful business-and-Renaissance woman, Dragone runs a dance company and school, choreographs , raises a family, performs community outreach and rescues stray animals – all in a day’s work. And at the heart of it all, she is a dancer teaching others the “language of dance” so that they may feel the thrill she has known twirling across the stage, leaping into the air and springing into a dance partner’s arms. 

 “Dancing is ageless, I believe that,” Dragone says, sitting at her desk while a teen ballet class is in progress in her studio on Central Avenue.  “Everybody can dance; you have to break through those inhibitions.  Dancing can be a healing process. It’s excellent for your body, mind and soul.”

 FELINES AND THE REPERTOIRE

The Kennedy Dancers performances on May 7 and 8 in the theater at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind will feature the professional company and the Inner-City Youth teen company composed of students who have trained with Dragone since they were toddlers in tights and taps. One of the highlights of the program will be Dragone’s “My Obsession with Cats,” a choreography about the felines Dragone adores and rescues with the help of her husband, teacher and professional videographer Tom Horan and their children Gigi, 17, and Danny, 15.

 “Cats are beautiful, their movement is beautiful and their personalities are all distinct. They’re a great source of inspiration for dance because they move in many ways,” Dragone says while her two studio cats Sylvester and Silvio are busy cat-napping near her desk. “There have always been cats in my life from the time I was little.”

 Dragone has choreographed hundreds of dances and currently, The Kennedy Dancers perform about 30 dances from the repertoire in venues throughout the tri-state area. Committed to bringing dance to all members of the community, Dragone offers ballroom and exercise classes to seniors; ballet and tap to toddlers and adolescents; ballet, tap and hip-hop to teens and ‘tweens and Zumba and Yoga to adults. A certified dance teacher by the New Jersey Department of Education, Dragone has taught special education dance at Hudson County Schools of Technology and brought dance to children and adults with physical and learning disabilities at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind in Jersey City.

“They loved the dance classes,” Dragone says of the children with disabilities. “It was very emotional for our teachers because some of these children are encapsulated in their own world or they never really experienced creative movement before and you could see they loved dancing. If you can’t see very well and you’re afraid to move, this was a really freeing experience.”

 That program lost its funding. So did the program teaching dance to incarcerated teenagers at the Hudson County Juvenile Detention Center in Secaucus, which was funded by the New Jersey Council on the Arts.  Dragone hopes someone will come up with the funding to reinstate both programs. The students looked forward to it, she says.

 “I think dance gave them something beautiful and challenging,” Dragone says.

 A LOAN TO BUILD A DREAM ON

Creating beautiful and challenging dances was the most important thing to Dragone back when she first opened her studio in 1976 with money she saved and a loan from her parents Anne and Daniel. It was a tiny, bohemian studio on Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City that her dad helped her paint and where she used her training as a dancer and her certification as a teacher to teach ballet, tap and jazz to kids and teens. 

 “The dance students are the mainstay of a company,” Dragone says. “You’re developing young minds and bodies and your goal is to give them an aesthetic, enjoyment and a sense of physical accomplishment. The beauty of dance inspires children and adults to keep coming back to the dance studio.”

 And if the students can’t come to the studio, then Dragone goes into their living rooms with the cable-TV show she hosts and produces with her husband, Tom.  “Dance Vista,” features interviews and choreographies by contemporary dance artists and, after 13-years on the air, the show is now seen on cable stations throughout New Jersey and New York.

 THE STUDENTS’ SUCCESS

Many of The Kennedy Dancers’ students go on to professional dance careers and Dragone is thrilled by their successes. One former student is performing in the musical “Buddy” in London’s West End; another is currently in a show at the La Mama theater in New York.  One dancer joined the Miami Ballet, one is with the Martha Graham dance company and another is featured in the Julie Taymor film, “Across the Universe” – and those are just recent accomplishments.

 “I’m thrilled for them and proud of them,” Dragone says. “I love it.”

 Determined to bring The Kennedy Dancers to new heights, Dragone’s choreography “God Bless America,” was recently named a finalist in the NJN Hispanic Dance competition to be held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in May. And last year, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts gave Dragone and The Kennedy Dancers an Award for Excellence for their outstanding work and Dragone’s compelling choreography.

 THE DANCER IN HER SOUL

So, how does a choreographer make dances? What comes first, the movement or the music?

 “I see people walking down the street, kids dance around, the windshield wipers move;” Dragone says, “I sit in the car listening to the radio and someone walks by to the rhythm of the music – all things can inspire your dances.”

 And that goes for cats, too.                                                                                         

 The Kennedy Dancers present their Spring Dance Performances on Fri, May 7 and Sat, May 8 at St. Joseph‘s School for the Blind 761 Summit Ave, Jersey City.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door; $18 for students and seniors with ID.

Call 201-659-2190 for tickets and class information or visit www.kennedydancers.org.

 

 

 

 

 

The post COVER STORY-Leading The Kennedy Dancers first appeared on River View Observer.

Record producers will tell you that in order to make it in the music business you have to be equipped with; a good strong voice, loads of confidence and the ability to perform on the spot, and to have passion! The passion to give it all you’ve got and the drive not to stop until you get there!

Just ask Johnny Martin (aka John Marino) a singer whose drive and passion have propelled him to record his first CD, “Johnny Martin, I Will Always Love You.”

Growing up in Jersey City, N.J. Martin loved to sing; he was drawn to it and did it well. As a grammar school student at Holy Rosary in downtown Jersey City, Martin first realized that he had the ability to sing. Speaking to his parents he explained his desire to sing, soon after he began taking voice lessons to master his vocal technique, but after grammar school it soon came to a pause.

As a high school student at Ferris High School, he sung on street corners with small groups, always testing his vocals and enjoying his love for music, but never going beyond that.

In the year of 1974, Marino opened up his own business in hair restoration, and with true dedication to his business and raising his family, he took another pause from his music.

Although the passion to sing lived within him, he worked hard and dedicated all of his time into making his business a success.

The years would soon pass by, and Martin still continued to embrace his true feelings of singing deep within; so in the early 1990’s, he decided to finally take the next step into making his singing career a reality. With the support of his wife and family he picked up where he left off and committed himself to taking voice lessons. He worked hard at it for several years and perfected his voice, he refined his styled and decided that it was time to get serious.

Martin explains, “I started recording myself at home and playing it back and listening to myself. I started thinking if I want to get serious again, I better go back and take some lessons and that’s what I did.” As he continued with his lessons, Martin began to focus on his goal to make an album of songs that he loved.

In 2008, through friends of Martin’s he met a couple from N.J who had a studio, their names Sharman and Alfred Nittoli (the Nittoli’s are well-known for writing the song “Here’s to the Band” for Frank Sinatra.) Upon meeting the Nittoli’s, Martin realized that this was the direction he wanted to take in order to bring his album to fruition. Soon after their meeting Martin concentrated on his goal, he gathered together a talented ensemble of musicians, which consisted of Tommy Cavalucci (Drums), Frankie Cupo (Bass, Keyboards), Gill Chimes (Vibes, Harmonica) Sharman Nittoli (Piano, Keyboards, Background Vocals, Musical Director and Arranger) and Alfred Nittoli (Saxophone, Violin, Musical Director and Arranger). Together the entire team began recording and what transpired was not only Johnny Martin’s album, but a life-long dream of Martin’s that had finally become a reality. 

 His new CD is made up with a compilation of songs from the “great American songbook.” He explains, “I’ve always been a lover of the American songbook. As a matter of fact if you look at my high school yearbook, you’ll see that I was a big Sinatra fan.” Although at the time it was all about rock, I was always quoted as being a fan of his”.

The title of Martin’s new CD, “I Will Always Love You,” which is also the first cut on the CD and a wonderful song made famous by another crooner Dean Martin, is the perfect title and song to begin Johnny Martin’s tribute to the “great American song book”.

Johnny Martin shows real vocal mastery on each track of his CD, he demonstrates impeccable phrasing in each song and his love of this genre of music can be felt on each track. I especially loved “My Baby Just Cares for Me, “an up-tempo number with female background vocals that will have your foot tapping throughout the song.

Based on his first CD I believe Martin has a long singing career ahead of him. He does a wonderful rendition of “More”, and the “Way You Look Tonight.” Martin’s CD will always have a place as part of my own permanent record collection. I enjoyed the CD that much and you will  too!

Martin credits Sharman and Alfred Nittoli and his wonderful and talented musicians for their help and dedication to making this album. He also expresses heartfelt thanks and dedicates his CD to his wife Pat and his family, which he expresses, “Without their love and support, it wouldn’t have been possible.” His advice for up and coming singers is this, ” If you feel that you have a talent, pursue your talent and get professional help; pursue your dream and never give up. Never stop meeting people; by meeting people  that’s how you’ll network yourself and make connections. No one is ever going to promote you, you have to promote yourself.” Pursuing your dreams and never giving up is something this talented singer has truly accomplished; with a successful business, a completed CD and the realization of a dream, Martin is a true inspiration to us all.

If you’re interested in learning more about Johnny Martin or if you would like to listen to some of his songs, sign on to www.johnnymartinsings.com 

Also, if you’re interested in booking Martin for your next event you can email him at johnmartinsings@aol.com

Read more music stories @www.riverviewobserver.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Introducing the One and Only “Johnny Martin” first appeared on River View Observer.

According to the website Lowering the Bar  President George Washington has been accused by a New York Library for failing to return valuable library materials checked out during his presidency. It seems the former President  took out two books on in October of 1789, one  on international law and another that contained transcripts of debates in Britain’s House of Commons.  The books were due back November 2, 1789.  If it’s found to be true, that neither book was ever returned this would mean that , setting aside the value of the items themselves, and adjusting for inflation, Washington currently owes about $100,000 in late fees.

Source: boingboing

Read more Lowering the Bar

The post Does George Washington – Owes Library Fines, about $100,000 in Late Fees? first appeared on River View Observer.

The second annual fair was held yesterday On Saturday April 17 to entusiastic crowds  and  over 60 artists  selling  7500 or more items at Parlay Studio’s 161 2nd St., Downtown Jersey City.  Everything from  jewelry, leather goods, soaps, furniture, cakes, leather bags, paintings  and many other items were on display and being sold.

The doors opened at 11am and the event  ran until 6pm.

Besides the vendors, live entertainment was provided by  Kelly St. Patrick, Hezekiah Jones, Any Day Parade, Chrisitan Alessi, Land of the Look Behind

A portion of yesterday ‘s fair proceeds will go to Arts to Grow a non -profit organization which is dedicated to providing inner city children with a chance to explore the visual, literary and performing arts

Presenting sponsors of yesterday’s event was the Saffron, Boutique Realty and Michael Anthony’s.

Vendors looking to show their wares at next years fair or business looking to act as a sponosor should visit their website at notyomamasaffairs.com

More photos to come

The post Crowds come out for 2nd Annual Yo Mama’s Craft Fair in Downtown, Jersey City first appeared on River View Observer.

Local Theater Performance

April 23-May 9

  FEATURIN:
LY BEATTY / JENNY FERSCH / MARK DUNN
ERIN FLANAGAN ES E. SPLOND

 Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm;  Thursdays, April 29 and May 6 at 7pm. ms, joys and concerns of the average working American are the focus of this unique, extraordinary musical. That the everyday lives of “common” men and women should be so compelling and moving will  surprise and inspire anyone who has ever punched a time clock.  Based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American  workers, Working paints a vivid portrait of the men and women the world  so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the parking lot attendant, the  waitress, the millworker, the mason, the trucker, the fireman, the  housewife, just to name a few. It’s a highly original look at the American landscape that’s simply impossible to forget.
 
Charge tickets Online. Cash and checks are accepted at the box office.  NJ Arts Cards are accepted for discounted ticket pricing.     The Barrow Mansion is handicapped accessible and barrier free. Large print program available upon request; please call one week in advance to arrange for a large print program. Assisted listening devices will be available for the Thursday May 6th 7 p.m. performance. Please call one week in advance to reserve a device.

 

 

  A classic, comic,”who-done-it” with a twist. The first few minutes are Mad-Libs® style, where the audience provides key nouns, verbs and adjectives – all of which the cast then incorporates in the telling of the tale.     The Suspects:  ORSON BUGGY,movie producer on the brink of ruin RHODA PONY, Orson’s former leading lady FONDA JEWELS,fidgety heiress & diamond collector AARON MATIRES, Philip DeBlanks’ chauffeur LYNN O’LIAM, ice sculptress, casino investor BOB FRAPPLES,fortune cookie writer, Philip’s cousinÂ

The Attic Ensemble is located just two blocks from the Grove Street PATH Station, in the Historic Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne Street, Jersey City. There is free parking after 7 p.m. in the parking lot 1 ½ blocks away on Christopher Columbus Drive.  For directions and further information:  www.atticensemble.org or phone (201) 413-9200, e-mail: info@atticensemble.org

Â

 

 

The post Attic Ensemble Presents WORKING first appeared on River View Observer.

Grand Prize Winner from North Haledon, N.J. Honors Father

Dana Nicoletti from North Haledon, N.J., (second from left) who nominated her father Chris Di Lenno (first from left) to win Quick Chek’s Devils Night Out Sweepstakes, enjoy the New Jersey Devils game along with Nicoletti’s daughter, Alexandra Nicoletti (third from left), and brother Chris Di Lenno (fourth from left), at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Sat., April 10. 

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., April 14, 2010 – Quick Chek, the family-operated premier chain of more than 120 food store locations throughout New Jersey and Southern New York, announces today the winners of its Third Annual Devils Night Out Sweepstakes.

            The sweepstakes, which celebrates Quick Chek’s famed coffee as the official coffee of the New Jersey Devils, asked customers to submit an essay stating why they deserved a “Devils Night Out.”  More than 800 essay entries vying for one Devils Night Out grand prize, along with ten runners up prize packages, were received online and in-store between Feb. 22 and March 22.

Chosen for its creativity, originality and compelling nature, the winning entry (inlcuded below) was authored by Dana Nicoletti of North Haledon, N.J., who submitted a poem in tribute to her father who had never been to a New Jersey Devils hockey game.

 I switch on the game on MSG, A very special man is sitting next to me.

He’s not young, not rich, not a celebrity…

But he’s all that and more, much more to me.

 My dad is a kind, generous, selfless man.

I really am his number one fan.

He is one that is always, always willing to help.

Go Devils!  Shoot, shoot… we let out a collective yelp!

 Langenbrunner, Parise take the ice.

To the devils game we go…

Wouldn’t that be nice?

…He has never been to a hockey game…

I passionately write this hopeful plea

To cross off a Bucket List entry…

To fulfill a dream for my Dad and me!

 Nicoletti’s grand prize package includes:

• Free Quick Chek coffee for one year
• Dinner for four at the Prudential Center Restaurant with a visit from a New Jersey Devils alumni player
• Four lower level tickets to the April 10 New Jersey Devils game
• New Jersey Devils autographed item and New Jersey Devils gift pack

 Ten runners up in Quick Chek’s Devils Night Out Sweepstakes were also chosen to receive: Ten vouchers for free Quick Chek coffee

• Two tickets to the April 10 New Jersey Devils game
• Autographed New Jersey Devils hockey puck and New Jersey Devils gift pack

 Quick Chek’s Devils Night Out runners-up prize winners are:

1. Joel Arela of Maywood, N.J.
2. Mary Beth Cole of Bayonne, N.J.
3. Kevin Coleman of Hillsborough, N.J.
4. Julie Dalley of Clifton, N.J.
5. Scott Molinaro of Succasunna, N.J.
6. Laura Hoffman of Verona, N.J.
7. Erika Perrius of Wall, N.J.
8. Andrea Sarich of Saugerties, N.Y.
9. Dustin Todd of Bayville, N.J.
10. Amanda Zapp of New Rochelle, N.Y.

 About Quick Chek

Devoted to providing convenient shopping blended with an expansive range of fresh products and services, Quick Chek, is a market leader in food service with an exceptional fresh coffee and fresh food program.  Operating more than 120 retail locations in New Jersey and Southern New York, Quick Chek’s locations include 12 pharmacy stores and 25 locations with fuel.  For more information, please visit www.quick-chek.com.

 

 

The post Quick Chek Announces Winners of Devils Night Out Sweepstakes first appeared on River View Observer.

 the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

 Clifton based rock band Blisserine will host a benefit concert on March 25^th  at 8 p.m.   at LUA Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ.

Benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the concert will allow Blisserine to bring a greater awareness to the fight against cancer with the performance their hit song Spirit of the Fight, their first single and original recording. 

 “We’re honored to be able to participate in the fight against cancer,” says Blisserine lead singer Sebastian Barbagallo.  “We wrote the song for our fan who was going through cancer treatment, but now it’s really become an anthem for everyone fighting the battle.  We hope the song makes a difference in people’s lives and shows them that they aren’t alone.”

 As an exclusive for guests, the band will also debut the music video for Spirit of the Fight, which was written for fan and surviving cancer patient Michelle Dolcemascolo of Toms River, NJ.  The video, shot by Victoria Korty, an aspiring filmmaker from Clifton High School, documents Dolcemascolo’s experiences, through real footage and reenactments, of receiving treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“Creating the video was emotional and a little scary but it’s something that I wanted to do, not only for myself, but for other people that are battling the disease as well,” says Dolcemascolo.  “It shows my strengths and my weaknesses and documents how the experience changes your life and the life of your loved ones.  Needless to say, I’m excited to be able to see the finished product.”

Fifty percent of the $10 cover charge for the concert will directly benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The inspirational song Spirit of the Fight is now available on iTunes and 30 % of proceeds of the songs downloads will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society New Jersey Chapter.

 LUA Restaurant is located at 1300 Sinatra Dr. North, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

 About Blisserine

Based in Clifton, NJ, Blisserine is a champion mix of hard rock and alt-pop melodies. The New Jersey based quartet originally formed in 2006 with an aggressive, heavy sound, playing shows up and down the Jersey shore. Fronted by Sebastian Barbagallo, the group established a reputation as a hard working band.  In 2008 the band started a new page in its history. Barbagallo, the lead singer/songwriter recruited his cousin Salvatore Rametta and the modern day Blisserine was back in fighting form. Adding drummer Sean Scillieri, childhood friend of Rametta, along with original bassist Nutile to the roster, Blisserine is fresh and ready to take the industry by storm.  Blisserine’s first single, Spirit of the Fight, has been a huge seller on iTunes and prompted a collaboration with DMC from legendary band Run DMC on their follow up single, Stone Crazy.

About the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS’s mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $680 million in research funding.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Home Office is based in White Plains, NY.

The post Local NJ Band Rocks to Fight Cancer first appeared on River View Observer.

Howard Pyle, the “Father of American Illustration,” was also famous for painting historic murals like “The Landing at Carteret” which hangs in the Essex County Court House in Newark and other works collected by the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, the Delaware Art Museum and the Brandywine River Museum. But you don’t have to hop a plane to Frisco or a train to Delaware to see Pyle’s paintings up close. Four murals depicting the history of Hudson County hang in the beautifully restored, Beaux Arts landmark Justice William J. Brennan Court House in Jersey City, where people from all walks of life can view Pyle’s majestic and historic paintings.  

Adorning public buildings with historic art by contemporary artists was a popular concept at the Turn-of-the 20^th century and Pyle’s murals were hung at the Brennan (then called the Hudson County Court House,) soon after it opened on September 10, 1910 (this is the building’s centennial year.) Pyle’s murals are cherished commodities and respectfully maintained by the Hudson County Cultural & Heritage Affairs Tourism Development office housed on the first floor of the building where the department’s administrator Bill LaRosa and his talented staff – some of whom are artists, performers and writers themselves – carry on Pyle’s legacy:

Every month, the staff transforms the first floor’s Theodore Conrad Rotunda into the Brennan Gallery, a public art space that gives local artists a venue to show their work and the local community a chance to experience art up close and personal.  To LaRosa, his staff and the man in charge, Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise, art is for the people and by the people.

 “The arts community is an important and growing part of our population,” DeGise says from his wood-paneled office on the first floor of the court house. “Ten percent of our capital projects go to public art. The Brennan was built 100 years ago and it’s still very beautiful and useful. There’s a lesson there. Do it right and with an eye toward the future.” 

And while Pyle, a master artist and illustrator of his time chose to look back in Hudson County’s history as the inspiration for the murals he created, LaRosa and the Cultural Affairs crew concentrate their efforts on artists who create contemporary works in all genres of the visual and performing arts.

 “We have some of the greatest murals of the 20^th century on our walls,” LaRosa says from his first floor office steps away from the marble-floored rotunda. “Why shouldn’t contemporary artists have the privilege of being seen here? The court house is an ideal location to showcase art work.”

To respect the dignity of the Brennan which is on the National Register of Historic Places, LaRosa and his crew stage the Brennan Gallery with the clever use of portable walls and strategic lighting.

 “I remember seeing the gallery when it was completed, it was just beautiful,” LaRosa says. “The paintings were up, the lights were on – the rotunda was made for it.”

Because the court house is a government building, the work is seen by a wide-range of people, from the high-ranking government official to the local citizen on their way to jury duty. Seeing everyday people appreciate the art gives LaRosa great pleasure, he says.

  “I’ll see jurors, sheriff’s officers and county employees looking at the art work and that makes me feel good because that’s what it’s designed to do,” LaRosa says. “Art is for everyone.  A public building shouldn’t be cut and dry. If it can serve a higher purpose, then why not?”

Looking back to the 1960s, 70s and 80s, Hudson County was home to many art galleries exhibiting local artists’ work, but times changed when storefront galleries became real estate gold. These days, local art galleries are practically nonexistent and many artists look for alternative venues to show their work like restaurants, office buildings, even city halls.

“There are very few galleries in Hudson County because of property values and lack of accessible public spaces,” LaRosa says. “The Brennan Gallery is one of the few.”

This week, the Cultural Affairs team is preparing for a special exhibit for Women’s History Month called “Herstory” curated by Assistant Administrator Eileen Gaughan and Program Development Specialist Meredith Lippman. The show opens March 2^nd and runs through March 26^th and features black-and-white photographs taken by local women photographers who were asked to go out into the community and photograph other women at work.  

“We thought what better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than with an exhibit of women photographing women working in unconventional roles in fields like architecture and mathematics,” Gaughan says. “Who knows a woman better than another woman and who can celebrate women better than her peers?”

 For the past two years, the Women’s History Month exhibition has given women artists like So Yoon Lym, a photographer and painter, the opportunity to have their work shown. Prior to having her work chosen for the 2009 show, Lym’s work was picked for the February “African Americana” exhibit.

  “For the African-Americana show, the artists had to be of African-American ancestry,” Lym says. “What a revolutionary and contemporary concept – that all Americans are in some way connected to this month and could be through their art work. I have always looked to New York City as the center of the art world and though this is true, it’s great to know that there are venues in Jersey City that showcase and promote contemporary artists.” 

Along with professional artists and photographers who exhibit at the Brennan, LaRosa and his staff present shows by senior citizens, teenagers, even patients from a local hospital. Lippman recalls a group show by students at St. Dominic’s Academy, a Catholic High School in Jersey City, who expressed their artistry in a series of painted wooden chairs.

“It was a knockout of an exhibit,” Lippman says.

As Program Development Specialist, Lippman also runs a workshop series to help artists manage their careers. An artist herself, she understands the problems they face trying to handle their careers while creating their art. So, she assembles panels of professionals who discuss important issues like writing artist statements, knowing what museum curators look for when producing shows, copyrights and other matters.

 “I email the artist community and ask them, ‘What do you need?  Give me an idea of what we can do to help you,'” Lippman says.

Along with the Brennan Gallery, LaRosa and his staff host the Brennan Coffee House, a once-a-month, Friday night hootenanny where the rotunda gets transformed again, this time as an intimate bistro with café tables and chairs. Local folksingers and musicians – some with a national following – perform on a portable stage and the acoustics are just right for folk music.  A pet project of County Executive DeGise who’s a real fan of folk legends like Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, the coffee house has become a popular night of entertainment for local music lovers and within the historic setting of the court house, songs of protest and peace seem to resound with a deeper meaning.

In September, DeGise will host a special celebration honoring the Brennan’s centennial year. It’s been a hundred years since Pyle’s murals were hung in the court house, but the concept of giving art justice still holds true today through the work of DeGise, LaRosa and the Cultural Affairs staff.  Providing a public forum for art exhibitions not only nurtures an ever-growing artist population, it nourishes a community’s quality-of-life.

As County Executive DeGise says, “There’s a lesson there.”

 Sally Deering is a freelance writer on art and culture.

For more information, email SallyDeer@gmail.com

 

 

The post The Art of Justice: Howard Pyle’s Legacy Prevails at the Brennan Court House first appeared on River View Observer.