VACNJ Art Center To Participate In Summit's MLK Day Celebration

On Monday, January 21, 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. The Art Center's portion of the day's events will take place at their 68 Elm Street location. 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."

Activities for A Day of Justice, Equality, and Service to Others will take place throughout Summit over the course of the day on January 21. All activities are free and open to the public. For more information, or for a schedule, visit mondosummit.com/shaping-summit-together.

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.

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