Summit Public Art
The Year in Review
|
|
"Public art gives people a sense of release and relief. It forces you to take a pause—and that's a beautiful thing."
—SPA artist Willie Cole
|
|
Did you know that Summit was recently named one of "7 NJ Towns with Great Art Scenes" (alongside Newark, Jersey City, Montclair, Asbury Park, and Princeton) by NJ Digest? Or that Summit Public Art was cited as one of the main reasons that our "City of Art" has come to be known as an "oasis of creativity"?
This was just one of many highlights in a year that saw our town finally begin to emerge from the pandemic. And, as it has so many times past, Summit Public Art was there to help us connect, engage, and share our experiences as a community.
Our theme this year was ARTLocal, featuring works by artists from our own backyard and the tristate area. From a striking figural sculpture modeled entirely from ladies shoes (Willie Cole's Woman in Heels) to a trio of meticulously assembled "emotional baggage carts" (Theda Sandiford's The Baggage We Carry) to a moving tribute to a little-known chapter in Summit history (Bryan Zanisnik's Silk Monument), this season offered a host of works that reflect both the diversity of our community and the challenging era we live in.
|
|
In addition to installing seven new public artworks downtown, SPA put ARTLocal into action by hosting a variety of community-wide art events, from downtown art walks and city-wide art contests to our first-ever "Illumination Night," which brought out hundreds of Summit residents to the Village Green for an evening of art, music, and fun.
In September we came together (in person!) for our annual fundraiser to honor acclaimed artist and longtime SPA friend Willie Cole. It was the perfect night to reunite with old friends and to make new ones as we celebrated "An Evening in the 'City of Art.'" We set our hopes high and—thanks to you—we reached our goal!
|
|
September also marked the premiere of "Windows in Art," our collaborative exhibit with Summit Downtown, Inc. that featured the work of more than a dozen local artists in the storefronts of Summit businesses.
We also continued our ongoing collaboration with the Summit Park Line Foundation with a new installation behind Overlook Medical Center by award-winning artist Kate Dodd (Shared Air) that honors our healthcare heroes while reminding us how crucial the environment is to our survival.
|
|
Now as we head into 2022, we anticipate another great year ahead as we look forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary with an exciting new season of public art, community events, and—even more exciting—the premiere of a new permanent art installation in the heart of downtown Summit!
None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our board members who volunteered their time and effort to keep SPA moving forward this year. A special thanks to our co-chairs Marie Cohen and Debi Schwarzmann for their leadership and for the many hours they worked behind the scenes to make this season such a success. We would also like to thank Mayor Nora Radest, David Naidu, Aaron Schrager, Matthew DiLauri, Pat Priore, and the Public Works Department of the City of Summit for their continued and invaluable support.
And, of course, a very big THANK YOU to all of our supporters and to the many generous donors who have kept us going these past two decades. As a 100% volunteer-run, donor-funded nonprofit, we rely entirely on the generosity of friends and neighbors just like YOU to provide the public art and community projects that you, your families, and visitors to our town enjoy each day. We know that the last two years have been especially challenging for all of us, which is why we greatly appreciate any contribution you might be able to provide.
If you would like to help us continue to enrich and inspire our community through public art, please click on the button below:
|
|
If you have already given, we thank you for your support! To those who would like to help, any contribution you can make will help us continue to bring exceptional art to our wonderful city and home—no donation is too small!
Best holiday wishes to you all and may we all remember the many things we have to be grateful for as we head into the new year!
Above: Willie Cole's "Woman in Heels" on the Summit Village Green; "Illumination Night" on the Green (photo: Christine Keeley); SPA fundraiser "An Evening in the 'City of Art'" (photo: Dylan Van Arsdale); Kate Dodd's Shared Air on the Summit Park Line
|
|
Above: (top, left to right): Tom Fruin's Maxikiosco; Karlis Rekevics' Broad Ordinary Occurrences; (bottom, l to r): Bryan Zanisnik's Silk Monument; Willie Cole's Woman in Heels; Theda Sandiford's The Baggage We Carry
|
|
Artist and NJ native Bryan Zanisnik on the Summit Village Green for the installation of his sculpture Silk Monument.
|
|
Artist Karlis Rekevics pours plaster into wooden casts during the installation of his work Broad Ordinary Occurrences on the Village Green.
|
|
Artist Willie Cole returned to Summit in June for the installation of his sculpture Woman in Heels on the Green. Photo by Christine Keeley (@christinek_nyc)
|
|
Artist Laurence de Valmy with her work POST at the MONDO building on the Summit Promenade.
|
|
Artist Theda Sandiford with her Summit-inspired 'emotional baggage cart' Heights over Springfield during SPA's ''Illumination Night' on the Village Green. Photo by Christine Keeley (@christinek_nyc)
|
|
Three views of Kate Dodd's installation Shared Air on the Summit Park Line.
|
|
City Lights by Summit artist Steve Szynal featured uplifting and visually appealing light displays at prominent landmarks around town to mark special occasions and to honor members of the Summit community.
|
|
SPA Co-Chair Marie Cohen and Summit Mayor Nora Radest pictured next to Kelsey Montague's mural What Lifts You at the Water & Wine Gathering during SPA's "Illumination Night." Photo by Christine Keeley (@christinek_nyc)
|
|
SPA board member Taylor Kendra-Van Arsdale celebrates "Illumination Night" on the Summit Village Green. Photo by Christine Keeley (@christinek_nyc)
|
|
SPA board member Sarah Walko leads a guided art walk through downtown Summit. Photo by Christine Keeley (@christinek_nyc)
|
|
SPA's "An Evening in the 'City of Art'"
Photos by Dylan Van Arsdale
|
|
Celebrating "An Evening in the 'City of Art'" (top row, left to right): hosts Tom O'Flynn and SPA board member Cheryl Barr; SPA board members and gala co-chairs Marie Cohen and Debi Schwarzmann; (bottom, l to r): SPA board members Vivian Furman and Shally Saini; SPA board members Deepa Whipple, Estelle Fournier, and SPA artist Willie Cole.
Photos by Christine Keeley (@christinek_nyc)
|
|
A sampling from Windows Into Art, SPA's collaborative exhibit with Summit Downtown, Inc. featuring the work of more than a dozen local artists in the storefronts of local Summit businesses. Pictured (top row l to r): Rasika Reddy, Viburnum Designs; Pam Gosner, Lois Schneider Realtor; (bottom l to r): Yolanda Fundora, Ani Ramen; Celeste Fondaco, The Red Balloon
|
|
Take a quick tour of our current season in this short video produced by Christine Keeley, SPA board member and photographer extraordinaire! |
|
Take the Tour!
From a monument to a forgotten chapter in Summit history to an illuminated "art house" that invites to you to step inside, our current season offers several must-see works by a host of internationally-acclaimed artists. For a handy map and guide to this season’s artworks, simply click the button below:
|
|
Or visit us at www.summitpublicart.com where you’ll find SPA’s full online gallery of inspiring works from both the past and the present. Then head downtown to see for yourself why Summit has earned a reputation as one of New Jersey’s premier destinations for world-class public art!
|
|
follow us on Instagram or Facebook
@summitpublicart
or by clicking the links below:
|
|
From our followers:
“Particularly at a time like this, we need art
to help us stay in touch with our community."
"Truly one of the best perks of living in Summit is
the public art displayed. Thank you and
looking forward to the next installation!”
"The artists and work you support is soul lifting!"
"Ten years ago who would have thought that Summit
would have an art scene? Love it!"
|
|
Stay safe and stay inspired! |
|
Summit Public Art | summitpublicarts@gmail.com | www.summitpublicart.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
