SOMA Celebrates Women’s History Month
Elected officials in Maplewood and South Orange, in partnership with township departments, divisions, and organizations, join with local business districts to celebrate the achievements of women. The focus for 2021 is ‘Women Lifting Women’ which will be realized through more than 45 unique events including safe, socially distant and/or virtual concerts, performances, author events, exhibits, classes, fundraisers, drives, projects, and initiatives.
Artist Spotlight: Autumn Jones
Autumn Jones is an accomplished singer-songwriter from Maplewood, New Jersey with a strong vocal technique and songwriting capabilities. The soulful r&b she creates is an expression of her life experiences as told through her stories expressed in each of her songs. Autumn’s music is therapy for the mind and soul'; her poetic lyricism has been compared to that of Maya Angelou.
The 3rd Latin American Contemporary Fine Art Competition
New York Art Competitions are pleased to announce the opening of the 3rd Latin American Contemporary Fine Art Competition. Fine artists from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal, the Latin American diaspora, and artists residing in any of the above, are invited to submit their works for a chance to be selected for promotional awards designed to boost their careers.
Artist Spotlight: Gregory Omar Osborne
Gregory Omar Osborne is a man on a mission! A mission to create a space for Black people and other minorities to share their truth artistically, without censorship. Within the MAPSO community and beyond, Gregory pushes the boundaries by bringing into the conversation important issues that Black people and minorities face.
Progressive Theater aims to tell culturally enriched stories that empower the misrepresented; people of color and women, and captivate all audiences with the focus on being the change we want to see in the theater community.
Artist Spotlight: Ras Heru Stewart
“My art is my highest and clearest expression of who and what I am. The bravery it provides is the bravery I attempt to inspire in my students and in those that share in my work. It is when we can channel who and what we are through our highest truth that we are our most vulnerable, powerful, and pure.” — Ras Heru Stewart
NJ State Arts Council Grants Nearly $1 Million To Jersey Artists & Welcomes Felicia Grant To Council Board
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts held its first public meeting of 2021 on February 2nd, where nearly $1 million was awarded to 129 New Jersey artists through two grant programs.
Artist Spotlight: Raymond Saá
Color, line, pattern and shape are simple words that define Raymond Saa’s layered, stacked, and complex artwork. Raymond’s materials and tools are basic such as paper, canvas, paint, X-Acto knives and a sewing machine; his techniques intricate with cut-outs, sewn layers, and collages. His bold colors and large-scale format transforms spaces.
“I often refer to my work as building a composition by stacking pattern and color on top of one another.”
— Raymond Saá
Artist Spotlight: Eddie Bennett
Maplewood resident Eddie Bennett is a diverse and talented choreographer, dancer, and illustrator. Eddie has established himself as a professional international entertainer with over 20 years of working continuously in the theatre industry. Eddie is multifaceted, a true Renaissance man!
MAPLEWOOD CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In honor of Black History Month, the Township of Maplewood has joined with local non-profit, community and business partners to sponsor more than 40 artistic, cultural and educational events and activities throughout the month of February to celebrate and raise awareness of the contributions and achievements Black Americans have made to the fabric of our society.
Arts Organizations - Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Information
The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance.
NJLM - Show Off Your City 2021 Photo Contest Open!
2021 Show Off Your City judging day is February 15. Please send in your photos of how local residents and officials worked and played and thrived in these pandemic days. Entries will be posted on the League’s Facebook page, website and some will be featured in the April issue of NJ Municipalities magazine, and possibly other issues. A winner will be selected and receives a free League publication of their choice.
Artist Spotlight: Claire Sinclair
Long-time Maplewoodian and Tuscan School kindergarten teacher, Claire Sinclair, was awarded 3rd place for the Maplewood 2020 Photo Contest with her entry titled, ‘Tuscan Art Camp’.
“My favorite things to photograph are flowers and candid moments of joy in our community. I love being able to photograph stories that capture the essence of our two towns. The Halloween Parade, Dickens Village, and The Duck Races are just a few of these events where I can depict our two towns in all their glory, it makes me proud to live here.” — Claire Sinclair
MAPLEWOOD, 1 of 25 coolest towns in America to visit in 2021
From www.matadornetwork.com - In this beautiful New Jersey suburb, Magnolia trees blossom in the spring, lending the neighborhood a storybook quality. Though Maplewood is just a short 30- to 45-minute commute from New York City and Jersey City by car, you probably won’t want to leave once you get there.
Artist Spotlight: Joy Yagid
Professional Photographer, Joy Yagid received 2nd place in the Maplewood 2020 Photo contest for her black and white entry titled, “A wintery View from the Oakland Road Bridge”. Joy beautifully captures the picturesque scene of the foot bridge in memorial park after a heavy snow.
10 Classical Concerts to Stream in January (via New York Times)
A Verdi opera from the Met and composers on the border of classical and pop are among the highlights.
As the live performing arts still reel from the coronavirus pandemic, here are 10 highlights from the flood of online music content coming in January. (Times listed are Eastern.)