NJ SEC OF STATE WELLS VISITS CAPE MAY



New Jersey’s Secretary of State, Nina Mitchell Wells, visited Cape May at the invitation of the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and Center for Community Arts (CCA) on April 26, 2006.

Her stay included a tour of Franklin Street School and the CCA Community History Program exhibit, “A Feeling of Community: Education and Segregation on Cape Island, 1860-1954,” at the Carriage House Gallery on the Physick Estate.

The exhibit is at the Carriage House through May 14, and will re-open in West Cape May Borough Hall on May 24, where it will remain through the summer.

Among the Secretary’s responsibilities are supervision of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Historical Commission, both of which support CCA and MAC through grant funds.

Impressed with the work of CCA’s Community History Program, the Secretary predicted that once restored, the Franklin Street School Community Cultural Center will attract thousands of new visitors to Cape May, comparing its potential to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. CCA is raising funds to transform the School into a Center that will house CCA’s community history and art exhibits and programs, the John and Janet Nash Archives of African American History, and programs and archives of other area nonprofit organizations.

Pictured are (l-r) CCA’s Program Committee Chair Yvonne Wright Gary, Board Chair Shirley “Becki” Wilson, Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, and CCA Board Vice Chair Hilary Pritchard, Co-founder Emily Dempsey and Executive Director Steve Bacher.

For further information call 884-7525 or see www.CenterforCommunityArts.org.

CCA NATURAL EXPRESSIONS EXHIBIT AT NATURE CENTER

Cape May -- “Natural Expressions,” an exhibit of artworks from recent Center for Community Arts (CCA) classes for adults, will be on display Saturday, April 29, at the Nature Center of Cape May from noon – 5:00 p.m., with a reception at 4:00 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. The Nature Center is at 1600 Delaware Avenue.

On display will be works from recent classes taught by Judy Ballinger, Jody Swope and Tina Giaimo, including book making, collage/assemblage, drawing, floral design, mixed media, painting as meditation, papier mache, photography, sea sculpture, and silk painting.

The exhibit is offered in conjunction with the grand opening of the Nature Center Trucksess Welcome Center. The exhibit and Nature Center facilities are wheelchair accessible. CCA art programs are supported by grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Lower Cape Alliance, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and many generous businesses and individuals.

For further information on CCA’s arts programs see www.CenterForCommunityArts.org or call 884-7525.

These two “Sculptures from the Sea” by Dottie Rogers of Cape May are part of “Natural Expressions,” an exhibit of artworks from Center for Community Arts (CCA) classes for adults. The exhibit will be on display Saturday, April 29, at the Nature Center of Cape May from noon – 5:00 p.m., with a reception at 4:00 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. The Nature Center is at 1600 Delaware Avenue.

SUMMER CAPE MAY ART CLASSES FOR KIDS, YOUTH AND ADULTS

SUMMER CAPE MAY ART CAMPS FOR KIDS AND YOUTH

CAPE MAY SUMMER ART WORKSHOPS

SUMMER ART CAMPS IN WILDWOOD AND LOWER TOWNSHIP – VILLAS

Want us to send you a detailed brochure and registration information?
Call Center for Community Arts at 609-884-7525 or email info@centerforcommunityarts.org.

· YAP – Youth Arts Program for Ages 10-14. 9 a.m. – noon, M-F, Cape May, Wildwood and Lower Township - Villas. Art camp with a different theme each week. June 26 – August 25, 2006. Arts Workshops taught by Professional Artists.

· Kids Art Camp for Ages 6-10. Stand-alone workshop on Mondays; More in-depth projects Tues – Fri. 9 a.m. – noon, Cape May City Elementary School, June 26 – August 11.

· Camp Congress Hall for Ages 6-12. Open to the public. Art workshops led by professional artist-teachers in the Harrison Room at the historic hotel. 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., July 1 - Labor Day. Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat in July; also on Sundays in August. Same day registration through Congress Hall Hotel front desk - 609-884-8421. Age appropriate art projects give kids a beautiful momento of their evening while they learn about arts in various cultures. A different project each night - seven different projects in all, including Mexican God's Eyes, Native American Dream Catchers, African Mask Sculptures, and more. $38/night includes kids' buffet supper, snack, beverages, and all materials.

· Art at the Library - For ages 6-10. Free. Enjoy a book about an artist, art form or art from a foreign land, and create a work of art inspired by the book. Summer Thursdays, 1-2 p.m., Cape May City Public Library, Hughes & Ocean Streets. (Continues during the school year on alternate Thursday evenings, 7-8 p.m.)


· Art Workshops for Adults– Stand-alone workshop on Mondays; More in-depth projects Tues – Thurs. 9 a.m. – noon, Cape May City Elementary School, June 26 – August 10.

· Plein Air Art Workshops for Adults– Stand – alone Plein Air (on-site) workshops on various topics, such as Pastels at Sunset on the Beach, Sketching at the Lighthouse, Pen & Ink Victorian Architecture, Boats & Birds, etc. Various times, dates, places.

CAPE MAY SUMMER WALKING TOURS

· African American Heritage Walking Tours of Cape May. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays beginning June 1.11:00 a.m. Hear about Harriet Tubman's time working in Cape May to raise funds for the Underground Railroad; early African American settlements in this area; the thriving early 20th Century African American business and social community; the segregated beaches and USO during WWII (Paul Robeson performed at the USO's grand opening); the effect of Urban Renewal on Cape May, how one citizen saved an historic African American home with a letter to LBJ; and more. $10/adult, $7/youth

CAPE MAY SUMMER SPECIAL EVENTS

· Art in the Garden, Self-guided Tour of Eight Private Cape Island Gardens filled with the Works of Over 20 Local Artists, Saturday, June 17, noon – 4:00 p.m. Tickets and map at 712 Lafayette Street.

· Hotel & Guest Night – Revived, Residents, Seasonal Staff & Visitors Come Together for an Old-Fashioned Talent Show at Convention Hall. Monday, August 7, 8:15 p.m. Free.

· Harvest Country Fair, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16 (rain date: Sept. 17), Rea’s Farm, Bayshore Rd. & Stevens St., W. Cape May. Free Trolley from Cape May Washington St. Mall. Antiques, Arts & Crafts, Flea Market, Fall Plants. Hayrides & Pony Rides, Games & Activities for the Whole Family. Live music 4-6 p.m. Free admission. Saturday, Sept. 16.

CAPE MAY ALL YEAR ‘ROUND:

· Dance and Stretch Workshops in Partnership with Community Outreach Dance Network. Weekly. Call for location and times. 884-7525.

· Visual Arts Workshops for Adults. Various locations, times, topics, such as Chinese Watercolor, Art as Meditation, Nature Studies, Printmaking, Papier Mache, Floral Design, and Book Arts. Call for details (609) 884-7525 or email info@centerforcommunityarts.org.