Take a Minute. Honor Someone Special.

Thomas Jefferson's Favorite Web Sites by Robert Meganck

New Jersey’s Governor’s Office on Volunteerism was started quite a few years ago. One of the traditions they got going is the NJ State Governor’s Jefferson Awards. The Awards are given in four general categories:

"Community Pillar" Award for individuals whose volunteer service runs deep and wide, across many categories of service, making significant contribution to life in their community of residence;

"Lifetime Service" Award for those who lifelong commitment to volunteerism has made a measurable impact to the communities they serve;

"Environmental Stewardship" Award goes to volunteers who pioneer and promote energy conservation and environmental action to foster a clean, green, sustainable environment here in NJ; and

The "Ambassador" Award honors those residents who extend their volunteer service beyond the borders of NJ in efforts to make the world a better place.

The Arts and Humanities world is filled with committed, passionate volunteers. There’s still a week left to nominate one of them (or even a non-arts/humanities-related volunteer!). You can do it easily online at the NJ State Governor’s Jefferson Awards site. Nominations must be in by February 15.

Wearing Your Heart on Their Plate

STARS (the South Trenton Area Residents' Society), is seeking Artists of all ages to decorate wooden hearts for their 1st Annual “Hearts and Stars” Silent Auction taking place at ARTWORKS on Saturday February 27 from 6:00 - 9:00pm. There are no rules about how these hearts can be decorated – they just ask that artists be creative! Plain hearts can be picked up at several Trenton business locations listed on the STARS website. (NOTE: Hearts are free and should be returned to any of these same locations before Saturday, February 20th. Hearts can be picked up starting Wednesday January 20th.)

STARS is also inviting artists working in all mediums (paintings, photographs, sculpture, poetry, found objects, etc.) to enter work in the one-day exhibition, "Depictions of Trenton," also taking place at ARTWORKS February 27. Artwork for this exhibit must include Trenton as the subject matter or theme of the piece. The “Depictions of Trenton” work must be for sale, with 75% going to the artist and a 25% commission going to support STARS.

This is a little complicated; so if you’re interested, check out the FAQ section of the STARS website for more information about this event.

All proceeds from the Hearts and from commission on sale of works in the Depictions of Trenton display will go to support STARS new community garden effort in South Trenton.

Volunteers Needed for 'Chasing' a Dream

There really is a lot of art going on in the area for this Father’s Day weekend. Still, if your dad is the type of guy who prefers rolling up his sleeves and tackling the next project rather than having brunch with a genteel crowd, you might consider an art-event that requires some heavy lifting. It’ll be a great bonding experience!

Pete Abrams, of Modern Metal Work studio, is an artist, a businessman, a dad, and a dreamer. To be clear: he’s a dreamer who really makes things happen. Right now, he dreams of a communal industrial space where art makers and art enjoyers can get together to create and display their work – particularly large scale work. On Father’s Day, this Sunday, he’s holding a working party to show off a space he’s found in the old Roebling Complex in Trenton that he envisions as the future Trenton Atelier.

But before Sunday, he really needs help prepping the building for the (post-Art All Night) party. Incidentally, it’s not all heavy work involved; he’s also looking for assistance with food prep and other party-planning activities.

Pete’s also bringing his Firebowls to this weekend’s Art All Night and is looking for folks who could help keep the bowls going for the 24 hours. If you can help, contact Pete directly at 609-610-3624

You can read more about Pete Abrams and his ideas in this month’s Trenton Downtowner. [A side note: He’s also accepting interns at this time to work with him at Modern Metal Work learning the art of metal fabrication and sculpture.]

Image: Abrams FireBowl, courtesy of the artist

Get YOUR Art on the Wall! Art All Night!

Art All Night, the 24 hour multi-arts party hosted by ARTWORKS in Trenton, takes place this weekend from 3 pm Saturday (June 20) - 3 pm Sunday (June 21). This is the 3rd annual, and -- having been at both #1 and #2 -- I can tell you that it is one of those "not to be missed" events.

There's still time for all of you ARTISTS out there to be a part of this event. Artists (trained, untrained, professional, amateur, poseur, racanteur -- it doesn't matter!!!) of all ages from any area are invited to submit one piece of art to be displayed. Drop off of artwork takes place 6 - 9 pm this Friday night, June 19, and from 8 am - 2 pm on Saturday morning, the 20th. You'll speed things up if you upload the registration form from the Art All Night website.

And if you'd like to be even more involved, there are still shifts open for volunteers. It's a great way to meet other artists, check out a full mix of music, and party with the best of them...all for FREE (although purchase of an Art All Night T-shirt, and a few dollars in the "Donate" boxes will ensure that ARTWORKS -- and Art All Night -- keeps doing its good work.