Art Center to Participate in Summit’s Celebration of Martin Luther KingJr.

A Day of Justice, Equality, and Service to Others

WHEN: Monday, January 21
WHERE: The Art Center’s portion of the day’s events will take place at their 68 Elm Street location. Activities for A Day of Justice, Equality, and Service to Others will take place throughout Summit over the course of the day.
ADMISSION: All activities are free and open to the public.

For more information, or for a schedule, visit mondosummit.com/shaping-summit-together.

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will participate in Summit’s Day of Justice, Equality, and Service to Others, organized by Shaping Summit Together. The community-wide event is taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with the goal of educating, raising awareness, and engaging people in activities that help those experiencing hardship through circumstances arising from underlying inequality. Non-profit organizations, community agencies, houses of worship, and schools throughout Summit will be inviting community members to participate in a series of activities inspired by the legacy of Dr. King. 

Community members of all ages are invited to take part in the creation of a community social justice quilt. Those wishing to participate will be given pre-cut squares of fabric on which they can share important personal messages through writing, drawing, painting, and decoration. The squares will then be collected and assembled into a quilt at a later date and displayed at City Hall, thanks to Summit Mayor Nora Radest. The activities at the Art Center are free and open to all ages.

“At the Art Center, we encourage all the various ways that art can impact lives, from an individual’s creative outlet for self-expression, to a delivery vessel for an activist’s message,” said Sarah Walko, the Art Center’s Director of Education & Community Programs. “Creating a community social justice quilt helps us to pose what Dr. King called ‘Life's most persistent and urgent question: What are you doing for others?’ We hope this exercise opens up discussions on important issues and creates a place for our shared voices and humanity.”

About the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
For 85 years, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey has been exclusively dedicated to viewing, making, and learning about contemporary art. Recognized as a leading non-profit arts organization, the Art Center’s renowned studio school, acclaimed exhibitions, and educational outreach initiatives serve thousands of youth, families, seniors, and people with special needs every year.

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is located at 68 Elm Street in Summit, NJ. Adult and children’s group tours are available throughout the year. Gallery Hours: Monday–Wednesday and Friday, 10 AM–5 PM; Thursday, 10 AM–8 PM; and Saturday & Sunday, 11 AM–4 PM. Please call 908.273.9121 to confirm holiday hours. Visit artcenternj.org for more information.

Support

Major support for the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is provided in part by the Peter R. & Cynthia K. Kellogg Foundation; the Wilf Family Foundations; and Art Center members and donors.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT IN SUMMIT ON THURSDAY, JUNE 14

From Summit Downtown, Inc. (SDI)

Summit Downtown, Inc. (SDI) is excited to debut their second new event for the month this Thursday: Family Fun Night! Summit Street Sounds will continue this Thursday evening as well. See you in Summit!

WHEN: Thursday, June 14, 4-8 PM
WHERE: Beechwood Road, Bank Street, and the Bank Street parking lot will be transformed into a carnival-themed kid zone

Special thanks to Lois Schneider Realtor for making this fun evening possible!

There will be a main stage at the top of Beechwood Road near Springfield Avenue with children’s music, live animals, and a magic show! The Bank Street Parking Lot will be a game zone, provided by the Summit Area YMCA. Stop by to play giant connect four, foosball, four square, giant foot darts, air hockey, and more. SDI encourages families to enjoy dinner at one of Summit Downtown’s many excellent restaurants before or after visiting Family Fun Night. There will also be two downtown businesses selling from their food trucks on Bank Street: Mexican Spice and Pizza Vita. Beechwood Road will be lined with activities, games and more! See below for a full list.

Main Stage Schedule*

• 4:00-4:30pm – World of Rock Teachers and Students Perform
• 4:45-5:30pm – A fun and educational live animal show from Rizzo’s Wildlife World
• 5:45-6:45pm – Live children’s music from the Songs for Seeds Band
• 7:00-7:30pm – A magic show by magician Mark ”Wow Mark” Zacharia
• 7:30-8:00pm – World of Rock Trio
  *Times approximate

Beechwood Road Activities:

• Balloon artist
• Caricaturist
• Face painter (thanks to Genualdi Orthodontics)
• A chance to learn more about the animals from Rizzo’s
• Remote control car racing
• Old-fashioned photo booth
• Juggling stilt walker
• Hair chalk, slime making, and tie dying from Color Me Mine
• Robotics games from Robot Revolution
• Selfie station and cotton candy at Sweet Nothings
• Crafts and a prize drawing from Kidville
• Creative writing games from the The Writers Circle
• Sweet treats from Brownie Points Baker
• Popcorn at Regal Bank
• Bowling from EXCEL Physical Therapy
• Ring toss and temporary tattoos from Alba Boutique
• Corn toss, a spinning wheel with prizes, and decorated face-in-hole from Brain Balance
• Bean bag toss from The Red Balloon Summit

Summit Street Sounds

Looking for something else to do downtown on Thursday? The second day of Summit Street Sounds will be this Thursday! Downtown will be alive with music from 5-8pm this and every Thursday night in June. Enjoy a meal at one of Summit’s many outdoor cafes, listen to some great live music, and shop at the downtown businesses, some of which will be open late. See you in Summit!

This week’s Summit Street Sounds Performers:

• Promenade (Next to MONDO, 426 Springfield Avenue) – Daniel Rufolo, jazz piano
• Parklet (By Tito’s Burritos + Batavia, 356 Springfield Avenue) – Bud Ayres Duo, jazz
• Horse Trough (By Pizza Vita, 7 Union Place) – Matthew Runciman, Singer, songwriter, guitarist
• DUE 360 (corner of Union Pl. and Maple St.) – Night of the Living Funk Duo, progressive jazz and funk
• Winberie’s (2 Kent Place Blvd.) – Nat Grauman, Singer and guitarist

*Performers and locations subject to change. Check our website for a full list of performers and locations: summitdowntown.org.

Summit Downtown, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the on-going development and promotion of the business community in downtown Summit, NJ.

Learn more about summer in Summit NJ here.