EVENTS, CLASSES, EXHIBITS @ HUNTERDON ART MUSEUM THIS MONTH

A special book reading Saturday Celebrate Black History Month with a special reading and book signing of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated family biography, The Ditchdigger’s Daughters: A Black Family’s Astonishing Success Story, with co-author Jo Coudert. The event is sponsored in partnership with Califon Book Shop co-owners Mary Turkus and Alison Ramarge. ADMISSION: free for adults and supervised teens WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 9, from 1 to 2:30 PM WHERE:  Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center St., Clinton Coudert wrote the book with Yvonne S. Thornton, MD. The biography tells the modern Horatio Alger success story of Thornton’s family, whose parents worked multiple jobs to give their five daughters a better life. Much of the book centers around Yvonne’s father, Donald Thornton, whose tough love, common-sense wisdom and sheer grit helped propel his daughters out of poverty and into successful careers. Coudert, a Califon resident, will read excerpts from her book and sign copies on the third floor of the Museum.  She has authored 10 books and more than a hundred articles for magazines, including Reader’s Digest and Woman’s Day. Her talents as a painter are currently on display at the Tewksbury Public Library, and she has also illustrated one of her books, Seven Cats and the Art of Living. The Ditchdigger’s Daughters became a national bestseller in 1995, and was named a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association. For more information, visit www.hunterdonartmuseum.org or call 908.735.8415.

Great Workshops to Stretch Your Imagination Develop skills and stretch your imagination by enrolling in one of our fabulous workshops! Learn from the best: Their teachers are among the top talents in their areas of expertise. Here are just a few of the great workshops they're offering with the Peters Valley Craft Center: CONJURING FORMS IN CROCHET with Donna Lish, Sunday, Feb 24. All skill levels are welcome in this one-day crochet workshop which focuses on transforming stitches with both traditional and nontraditional supplies, colors, and open and solid spatial accents.Through experimentation, you'll feel encouraged to take your crochet in new directions, and help solve three dimensional issues such as balance, space, scale and density. ELEMENTAL ICONGOGRAPHY: DRAWING with Kulvinder Kaur Dhew (Beginner, Intermediate). Elements of Dry Media, Saturday, March 16; Elements of Wet Media, Saturday April 6. These one-day workshops for adults and teens ages 16 and up will introduce and build upon fundamental drawing concepts that apply across disciplines. Practice and experiment with your materials (pencils, charcoal, ink, etc.) to learn what you like best and to develop seeing ability and means of expressing visual ideas Line, value, shape, form, space, intent, and other elements are addressed using direct observation, invented and conceptual imagery. BEADED BRACELETS with Wendy Ellsworth; Saturday, April 13. Learn the St. Petersburg Chain technique and make a beautiful beaded bracelet. The stitch originated in Russia and has become very popular. It is easy to learn and works up quickly using size 11 seed beads and glass tear drops for embellishment. Beginners are welcome. FOCUS ON FORM: PHOTOGRAPHY With Nancy Ori; Sunday, April 14. This workshop is designed for the beginning photographer or other artists using photography in their work who already have a basic understanding of how their camera operates and is looking to enhance their skills. Learn to see and compose your favorite subjects better by understanding how light and shadow create the structure of your image and clarify your subject for the viewer. For times, tuition and other information on workshops, visit the website at www.hunterdonartmuseum.org or call 908-735-8415. CURRENT EXHIBITS OPEN UNTIL MARCH 10:

Movis: HAM & Eggs Hungry for some HAM and Eggs? Then Movis, the innovative Princeton-based group, has just the exhibition for you! With photography, knitting, found objects and music, they've created a fun and fascinating exhibition with an egg-based theme. Exhibition includes works by Jeff Koons and Clarence Carter.

East & West Clay Exhibition Members of the East & West Ceramic Artists Association may struggle to understand each other when they speak, but when working with clay they communicate with ease. Explore three different cultures—26 artists from South Korean, Japan and the U.S.—working in the clay tradition.

Kulvinder Kaur Dhew: Torrent Kulvinder Kaur Dhew's charcoal-on-paper works may be the closest viewers can get to feeling the power of a storm without the gusting winds and torrential rains. The River Gallery features Dhew's atmospheric work that explore the turbulent interplay of sky, earth and wind.

Young Artists Showcase Come check out the Young Artists Showcase featuring the incredible talents of Hunterdon County students. Currently on the third-floor gallery, we are displaying art created by students from Delaware Township Schools.  A new school is featured every two weeks.