For the fifth year, the Hopewell Valley Arts Council will anchor Pennington Day with an artful takeover on the Howe Commons lawn, at 65 South Main Street in Pennington, next to the music stage and “food court,” on Saturday, May 19, from 10am – 4pm.
This year, the HV Arts Council will kick off a new initiative, Out of the Ashes: Art Emerging from Fallen Trees, to commemorate the devastating loss of the ash tree, one of the primary native trees in Hopewell Valley.
A little, green, jewel-like beetle called the Emerald Ash Borer, threatens the entire North American Fraxinus(Ash) genus of ash trees, which can be found on private and public property and in forests and yards. Due to the nature of the infestation, it’s difficult to determine which trees have already succumbed. As a result, many ash trees, some infected and some yet to be infected, are being taken down to ensure public safety. Hopewell Township is being proactive in the fight to protect our ash trees and has information on their website at www.haveyoursayhopewelltwp.org.
In the spirit of the HV Arts Council’s ongoing upcycling theme – making art out of trash and typically discarded items – Out of the Ashes will transform wood from this beautiful American tree into art through a diverse series of art programs, exhibits, and community events throughout 2018 and 2019.
Ash wood will abound with opportunities to view and make art, watch live carving demonstrations, and learn more about the emerald ash borer and about our year-long events celebrating as art emerges Out of the Ashes.
In the center of Howe Commons, a manual shingle cutter will cut ash wood into shingles, and kids of all ages are invited to paint the shingles along with wood discs. Two local wood carvers, Stan Saperstein and Scott Fulmer, will also be stationed on Howe Commons throughout the day demonstrating live wood carving and showing projects at various stages of completion. Plus, visit us at the HV Arts Council tent at Howe Commons to find out more about our upcoming art- and culture-related events and receive 10% off membership.
The HV Arts Council will also issue a “call to artists” beginning at Pennington Day, as part of Out of the Ashes. Wood slices, playfully being called “slices of art” will be available for artists, creative adults, and hobbyist to take home and adorn. Use your creativity and paint, mosaic, apply photography, or whatever your imagination desires! At the end of the summer, these slices of art will be sold, with half going to the individual artist and half to support local art and artists in the greater Hopewell Valley. The slices will be sold at the HV Arts Council’s Slice of Art Sale, Barbecue, & Cornhole Tournament on Sunday, September 9 at the Valley Road Picnic Area, Hopewell Township.
For more information about HV Arts Council events and initiatives, please see their website hvartscouncil.org.
Editor’s Note: MercerMe publisher Mary Galioto is the PR & Media Coordinator for the Hopewell Valley Arts Council.
