newscasting Winter Spring 2016 by Grounds For Sculpture

newscasting Winter/Spring 2016

THE PUBLICATION FOR MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS

A Focus on Accessibility

GFS within its gates, in the community, ...and beyond!

Exclusive Access through Member Preview Day

Save-the-date for Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Musings, and more!

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Member

Volunteer

Spotlights

Opportunities

welcome 1.16

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ate last summer, as I spent a lunch break leisurely walking the Grounds, I found myself crossing paths with visitors of all ages, colors and interests. I saw couples, families, school groups and solo visitors—sketching, meditating, taking photos, discussing art. As I explored the Grounds further, so did an ADA cart tour. As I turned another corner, I overheard a visually-impaired group engaging in a touch-tour. I returned from my walk with an overwhelming confirmation that GFS is the kind of organization I want to be a part of and help to sustain. A season later, each of my days at GFS is just as confirming, welcoming and truly wonderful. I am absolutely thrilled to have joined the GFS team as the new head of Membership. GFS surrounds me with fresh air, incredible art and people of all backgrounds. I am reminded every day of how art is important to so many people for so many different reasons. As a calendar year closes and a new year begins, I see firsthand that the accessibility I fell in love with continues to be an ongoing focus at GFS. I am especially dedicated to developing special access for our most loyal supporters—you! As a 501(c)3 organization, we recognize every day our dependence on the support of our members in order to sustain the Grounds for future generations to enjoy. GFS has such a diverse and passionate membership base—I look forward to getting to know you! Claire Cossaboon Manager, Membership 609-586-0616 ext. 234 ccossaboon@groundsforsculpture.org

MEMBER RECAPS

MEMBER PREVIEW DAY Your exclusive access to new exhibitions at GFS

MEMBER ADVENTURE Sante Fe, NM

COMMUNITY NEWS Upcoming community projects and how you can be involved!

> GFS Workshop:

Photo courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture

GFS to Host State-wide “Best Practices” Accessibility Workshop With the generous support of the Princeton-based Karma Foundation, and the Short Hills-based Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, GFS will convene arts and cultural organizations from across New Jersey for an intensive hands-on workshop to broaden and deepen accessibility services and programs. Grounds For Sculpture is a long-time member of the Cultural Access Network Program—a cosponsored program of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts—that provides a wide range of services and programs to assist theatres and cultural organizations in making their programs and facilities accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. GFS Director of Operations, Bonnie Brown, is a member of the Project’s allvolunteer steering committee and has served as a volunteer consultant for American with Disabilities Act (ADA) plans throughout the state. Brown saw the opportunity to help other cultural organizations: “We’ve got a wealth of knowledge, innovative practices, successful programs, and creative, committed people across the state who are making their arts and cultural organizations as radically inclusive as possible, already. We felt one of the most effective and efficient ways to share this information was to invite the state’s arts organizations here to learn about these programs first-hand.” Two one-day workshops will be held in April and May 2016, and will include touch-tours for the blind, wheelchair-led tours of the Grounds, and sessions on deaf-to-hearing and hearing-to-deaf signing. 2

Cover: Seward Johnson, On Poppied Hill, 1999, cast bronze and aluminum, 96 x 84 x 60 inches, Grounds For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., ©1999 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., photo: David W. Steele.

GFS is proud to announce we’ve partnered with accessibility company, ScooterBug, to offer wheelchair and scooter rentals to visitors with limited mobility! Both Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECV) and manual wheelchairs are available to rent from the Welcome Center on a first come, first served basis. “We’re so excited to introduce this service to our guests,” said GFS Manager of Guest Services, Rachel Tengowski. “The scooters will really make a difference to guests who might not otherwise get to enjoy all the park has to offer because of its size.” Our Guest Services staff will happily train you on the devices, which are offered at very reasonable rates. The ECV is $25 for the first 4 hours, $10 for each additional hour, and the wheelchairs are available for $15 for the entire day. GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

BLACKOUT: A Centennial Commission by Paul Henry Ramirez, 2010, Newark Museum Newark, NJ. Photo by Raymond Adams.

news

member events calendar Please contact the Membership Office at (609) 586-0616 ext. 234 for more information about any of the following programs.

An Evening with Reynold Levy Thursday, April 7, 2016 7:30pm – 9pm

Sneak-Preview of Paul Henry Ramirez’s installation process! February 2016 Paul Henry Ramirez is a contemporary American artist, born in El Paso, Texas and based in New Jersey, whose solo exhibitions consist of painting, site-specific installations, sculpture, ceramics, drawings, prints, art collaborations and public art projects. Ramirez has had numerous one-person museum exhibitions, including the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, the Whitney Museum at Philip Morris, and the Newark Museum. His work is in permanent collections at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Whitney Museum, the Hammer Museum, and many others. In February 2016, Ramirez will create RATTLE, a dynamic sitespecific installation featuring his trademark explosion of color and biomorphic shapes. The installation will be on view in the West Gallery from February 28, 2016– January 8, 2017. Stay tuned for details about how you can receive an exclusive sneak-peek of Ramirez’s installation process! Save-the-date for a special Art Salon with Ramirez: Thursday, April 14, 2016

March is Members Month!

For the entire month of March, all GFS Members enjoy 20% discounts on select items at the Museum Shop! We will also be offering exciting giveaways as an extra way to say thank you for your loyal support!

Members’ Musings Members’ Musings is an annual juried exhibition of art by Grounds For Sculpture members! The exhibition is open to current and new GFS Members, and is shown in the Education Gallery, located adjacent to the Welcome Center. In addition to supporting the arts, many GFS members are gifted artists themselves and work in a variety of media. This exhibition provides an opportunity to share Members’ contributions to the dialogue of art, and furthers the Education Gallery’s commitment to exhibiting artwork created by members of the community. If you are an artist and a GFS member, we welcome you to submit your artwork for this exhibition opportunity!

Dates to remember: June 13, 2016: prospectus available on website July 18 - August 5, 2016: submissions accepted GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

September 23, 2016: notification of acceptance via email Late October - early December 2016: exhibition on view

A distinguished business leader who has transformed the world’s largest cultural organization—and is best known for his ability to bring divergent groups together to get big things done—Reynold Levy shares his experience on leadership, building consensus for a cause and the importance of philanthropy and culture as it relates to building more vibrant businesses. Levy is currently a Senior Advisor to the private equity firm, General Atlantic, Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s School of International Affairs, a consultant to nonprofit institutions and foundations and a Director of First Republic Bank. As the former president of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for over 10 years, Levy led a $1.3 billion capital campaign and transformation of the Center that modernized the campus that houses eleven world-class performance organizations. Levy will be book-signing, including his currently available fourth book, They Told Me Not To Take That Job: Tumult, Betrayal, Heroics and the Transformation of Lincoln Center. Visit our website in February to register.

Day Trip to Wave Hill Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Join us on a day-trip to this exceptional art and garden venue in New York. Wave Hill is a 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the Bronx with breath-taking views overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. We will tour both the gardens and galleries with a catered lunch in between. $95/per person includes bus, admission, lunch and guided tours. Register by April 1 by calling (609) 586-0616 ext. 243.

Member Preview Day Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 10am-2pm Member Preview Day is an exclusive opening that gives members the opportunity to preview the upcoming artistic season before it opens to the public! See more on Page 5.

An Evening with Deepak Chopra Thursday, May 5, 2016 7:30 pm - 9 pm As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mindbody medicine, Deepak Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. He is known as a prolific author of over sixty books with eighteen New York Times best sellers in both the fiction and nonfiction categories. With wisdom and compassion, Dr. Chopra will discuss the utilization of nature, art and the power of visceral experiences to promote wellness. Dr. Chopra will communicate the many ways in which Grounds For Sculpture fosters the ability to enhance wellness for our patrons as they connect with the art and nature on the campus and though the wide variety of programs offered throughout the seasons. 3

member recaps Shaping Sound: Members-Only Performance Series Last fall, GFS launched its brand new performance series exclusively for GFS Members – Shaping Sound. By featuring a different performance group each week, sight and sound transformed our galleries and allowed new ways to interpret and explore Grounds For Sculpture’s indoor exhibitions. Following each performance, members met and mingled with the performers during a lovely, private reception. “The reception after the performers danced was eyeopening. In mixing with each other, we could learn more about the music and the musicians. It was really great to witness their dance improvisations to the music and then talk with the performers,” said GFS member Florence Kapoor. Thanks so much to the many members who attended the performances and a special thank you to members Michael Chang and Robert Herrig for supporting the series. Photo: An incredible Shaping Sound performance by Graffito Works breaks the fourth wall between performer and audience! Tapping, flowing, pressing and pulling—the performers’ movements directly reflected the surrounding work by Robert Lobe on view in the West Gallery. Photo courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture

2015 Epicurean Palette

Photo by dmhphotographer.com

This year’s Epicurean Palette was held on Sunday, September 27 and featured 31 restaurants and 31 beverage vendors. It was a wonderful day filled with great wine, beer and spirits, delicious food, outstanding visual and performing art, and delightful company. The Silent Auction at this year’s Epicurean Palette was accessible online for the very first time, which allowed the bidding to begin 10 days before the event and featured old favorites and thrilling new experiences. The Epicurean Palette is Grounds For Sculpture’s largest fundraising event of the year, and helps to raise the vital funds needed to sustain our exhibitions and educational initiatives for our more than 230,000 annual visitors. Thank you to all who attended, for your generous support of Grounds For Sculpture! Please save the date for next year’s Epicurean Palette on Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Jann Nunn, Rachidial Digression, 2011, steel, dimensions variable, Courtesy of the Artist

member preview day

Walter Dusenbery, Damascus Gate, 2002, travertine, 240 x 176 x 51 inches, Grounds For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.

Member Preview Day is an exclusive opening that gives members the opportunity to preview the upcoming artistic season before it opens to the public! In 2015, over one thousand members joined us for a variety of unique programming specifically designed to engage and inspire Grounds For Sculptureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most loyal supporters. Programs included educational workshops and family activities, curatorial discussion panels, artist-led tours and talks, live performances, film screening previews, art and garden tours, giveaways, and more!

SAVE-THE-DATE for our next

Member Preview Day

Photo by dmhphotographer.com

Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 10am-2pm!

Can you guess what this would be transformed into?

Nick Dong, Lepton Collision, 2014, mixed media, 13 x 15.75 x 15.75 inches, Courtesy of the Artist

GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

General admission for the day is open to GFS Members only. Members can use Guest Passes to bring additional friends or family members, or members can purchase guest tickets for $15 each. RSVPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are not required, but specific programs require registration. Gates open at 9:30am. Present your current membership card, or join upon entry. Check the GFS website in April for the full program schedule. 5

Exploring the gorgeous landscapes of Abiquiu that Georgia O’Keeffe so adored

Member Adventure: Santa Fe, New Mexico October 27-November 1, 2015

ast Autumn, GFS Members traveled to a city unique for its combination of a long and fascinating history, an easy blend of cultures where all are respected, and a culinary cornucopia featuring one of only two indigenous food styles in America. A trip to Santa Fe, which is also well known as a mecca for artists and craftspeople, also allowed for unique meet-ups with artists and organizations from Grounds For Sculpture’s network. From embracing the breath-taking landscapes and connecting with artists in their studios, to perusing private art collections, gardens and world-class museums, GFS Members enjoyed truly enchanting experiences in New Mexico.

Watching molten bronze being poured into ceramic shell molds at the Shidoni Foundry and Gardens in Tesuque, NM

Allan Houser Sculpture Garden

Before-hours tour of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Private tour of the New Mexico Museum of Art

“One of my all-time favorite trips taken!” “The most fabulous trip ever”

GFS Members tour the working studio of artist Kevin Box, and view his monumental sculptures in “Origami” – a temporary exhibition at the Turquoise Trail Sculpture Garden, nestled in the Little Garden of the Gods.

Lunch and conversation at Casa de Vidrio (Glass House), the home of the art collector Betsy Ehrenberg

Private tour of the Girard Wing at the Museum of International Folk Art

Interested in our next Member Adventure? — Call the Membership Office at (609) 586-0616 ext. 234 6

“This was my first experience traveling with GFS. I feel the trip was a well-planned and diverse adventure—it was perfect. I traveled alone and was initially concerned about that… but your Meet & Greet was very effective and put me at ease. I feel every effort put towards this trip was very professional – excellent job. Looking forward to more GFS trips in the future.” GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

member spotlight “All Roads Lead Back to Grounds For Sculpture” Meet Donna Tully, Grounds For Sculpture Member and Donor

onna Tully’s first trip to Grounds the house itself—a 7,000 square foot For Sculpture (GFS) was with home that sat on a 14-acre hilltop her daughter’s class trip in with 360-degree views near the 2000. It was at that time that she Santa Fe Opera. The home was a felt a connection and a genuine result of collaboration between appreciation for all that is GFS— the owners, an architect, a the sculpture, the landscape and curator, craftsmen and others nature. A number of years later, who shared an understanding after an art-filled trip to Greece, of and appreciation for art and Donna returned to GFS. Having seen the environment. so much beauty on her trip, GFS was a Donna supports GFS because she Donna Tully wonderful extension of that experience. She believes that art and nature are important, was thrilled to not only take in the art, but she also and that it is our role as humans to serves as enjoyed watching all the families experiencing the stewards for these wonderful resources that bring so park and discovering its delightful surprises. Having much to our society and environment.“I have a real only seen one piece of artist Seward Johnson’s work connection with GFS—it’s a perfect place for me. outside the offices of Homefront in Trenton, Donna Every time I come to GFS, I feel like I am coming was amazed to discover more of his art at GFS and home. It brings me joy.” had an immediate connection to his subjects. She appreciated what Johnson had done and continues to do as an artist, as well as what he was able to accomplish as the organization’s founder. As a GFS member, Donna has had the opportunity to take art classes and travel with the GFS Member community. Most recently, Donna attended the GFS Member Adventure to Santa Fe, New Mexico. On her first day, she saw an amazing sculpture that completely captivated her and she texted home to her daughter. It was a sculpture by Allan Houser. In 2008, GFS presented “Inspired Visions,” a retrospective of the career of Allan Houser (an exhibition that Donna did not see, but eventually she would find the path to Allan Houser through GFS). Later during the GFS trip to New Mexico, Donna visited the Allan Houser Sculpture Park and made yet another connection with this artist and ended up bringing a piece home. Another interesting component of the adventure involved visiting the Casa deVidrio (House of Glass) home of art collectors Betsy and Richard Ehrenberg. Donna was impressed with the world-class art Allan Houser, Warm Springs Apache Man, collection, their desire to support up-and-coming 1991, bronze, 49’ x 42’ x 42’. artists from all over the world, and the creation of

Join the Grounds For Sculpture Legacy Society and help support GFS through Planned Giving. Through your bequest or other planned gifts, you can ensure that GFS will continue to fulfill its mission to promote an appreciation and understanding of contemporary art for all people and inspire visitors of all ages for generations to come. For more information, please contact the Development Department at 609-586-0616 ext. 233. GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

CONNECT WITH US

JOIN:

Our members receive special discounts on everything from shopping and dining to classes and more, exclusive invitations to exhibition previews, and free admission to the park year-round… just for starters. For more information about the many benefits of membership, contact our Membership Manager at 609-586-0616 ext. 234.

We are asking for your support—above and beyond what your membership donations help us to accomplish. Private donations from a large number of individuals impact our ability to present exhibitions, deliver programming, preserve the park—its sculptures and landscape. As a devoted member of the GFS community, you play a crucial role in the future of this cultural resource, and we are extremely grateful to you. We hope you consider making a taxdeductible gift to the 2016 Annual Appeal. You can donate online at www.GFStomorrow.org or by mail (Grounds For Sculpture, Development Department, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619), or call 609-586-0616 ext. 233 or 254. Thank you for your generosity!

business member spotlight Meet Our Newest Business Member: Custom Essence Felix Buccellato, Founder, Perfumer

ased in Somerset, New Jersey, Custom Essence creates innovative fragrances through an artful balance of creativity and technical knowledge. A team of master perfumers, evaluators, customer service staff, quality control experts, regulatory professionals, researchers and others come together to create winning fragrances for the next generation of product development. Custom Essence is a leader in the development of natural fragrances and has worked with some of the largest companies that are driving the market for natural personal care products. Custom Essence was founded by Felix Buccellato and Raman Patel.Their unique blend of artistic talent and scientific knowledge has earned them a reputation as two of the foremost developers of fragrances and their applications. Their vision has been to marry the world-class perfumery expertise and quality of the large, multinational fragrance houses with the service and attention of a “boutique.” As a perfumer for International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF), he spent 10 years developing analytical and artistic sensory skills. Buccellato is a frequent speaker and author at industry functions. He is an active member and past president of the American Society of Perfumers, the Society of Flavor Chemists, and the American Chemical Society. In 1981, he co-founded Custom Essence with Raman Patel. He is responsible for analytical perfumery at Custom Essence, and heads the regulatory, quality control and safety departments. Buccellato serves as mentor to all junior perfumers

All great art has elements of science and all great science has an element of the artistic. and laboratory technicians. Speaking with Buccellato, one can tell he loves his job, his music and art, and finds inspiration in his visits to Grounds For Sculpture. Much the same way a musician or a sculptor needs to understand both the art and the mechanics of creation, Buccellato combines both art and science in creating the unique fragrances he and his firm craft for their clients. “We create custom fragrances for our clients. All great art has elements of science and all great science has an element of the artistic. That is why we appreciate such a fine collection of art and sculpture found at Grounds For Sculpture,” said Felix Buccellato. Buccellato and his partner Raman Patel, as well as their families, all appreciate the membership to GFS and make visits often. His personal favorite exhibition was the Seward Johnson Retrospective. “The monumental sculptures were so very impressive – unless you stood next to them you really could not experience the wonder of these gargantuan works,’ he explained. Other favorites at GFS include the concert events and the gourmet food and wine event, Epicurean Palette, and enjoying all the wonderful art in such a superb setting so close to home.

Become a GFS Business Member Today… ART, OPPORTUNITY & COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS ABOUND

Alessi Arthur J Gallager Risk Management Bank of America Bloomberg Community Investment Strategies, Inc. Custom Essence Inc. Event Navigators Hamilton Pet Meadow Hampton Inn East Windsor Hopewell Valley Bank Hopewell Valley Vineyards Inn at Glencairn Johnson & Johnson Kale’s Nursery Kimberly-Clark Marriott Forrestal McGraw Hill Financial Pennoni Pennsylvania Lumbermans Mutual Insurance Company/Indiana Lumbermans Mutual Insurance Company Phillips McDade Primepoint Princetel Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce Princeton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau Quaker Bridge Mall RAS Technology Consultants Rutgers Landscape and Nursery Sametric Research Spring Hill Suites Stewart Films, Inc. Stout’s Transportation TD Bank Trident Plastics Tris Pharma V.J. Scozzari and Sons To connect with these Business Partner Members directly, please go to http://www. groundsforsculpture.org/ Membership/Business-PartnerMembers and click on the member and link. For more information on becoming a member of the GFS Business Partner Program, or to craft a Business Partner Program exclusively to meet your business needs, please contact Janis MartinHughes at (609) 586-0616 ext. 248, or jmhughes@ groundsforsculpture.org.

For More Information

Are you a fan of Grounds For Sculpture? Would you like to support the institution you love while gaining visibility and networking opportunities for your business or corporation? Join with a special group of business leaders in our community who care deeply about keeping the arts alive in New Jersey! The Grounds For Sculpture Business Partner Program represents an exciting and significant partnership between area businesses and art in our community. The business community’s membership and participation play an invaluable part in the GFS’s growth and success by helping the GFS to present new exhibitions, financially sustain its permanent collection and enhance its programs for children and adults. Enjoy the privileges of support – gain visibility for your business and enhance the quality of life for the public, your clients, and your employees. To show our appreciation, GFS offers exclusive benefits for members of the GFS Business Partner Program.

Join with these GFS Business Members to support all the exhibitions, workshops and programs GFS offers to the community:

GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

Photo by Keith Pyatt

green Makiah Patterson-Brown, Mark Baird, Cindy Srnka, Bob Lindgren, JoAnn Pelliccio-Lindgren, Ulrike Zimmer (Not pictured: Linda Cerino, Inger Davis, Jen Garey, John Santa Maria, Megan Uhaze, Jennifer Vana)

Enriching the GFS Experience for our Members & beyond The Event Concierge Program at GFS The Event Concierge (EC) Program was created to provide private, custom tours that focus on delivering a thorough overview of Grounds For Sculpture for individuals and corporate groups.

hat is unique about an Event Concierge experience? The EC team motto is Adaptability. As GFS’s diverse audiences present a wide array of special needs, requests and circumstances—such as requests for specific tour and event times, special occasions (planned or surprised!), professional corporate event needs, and groups with mobility or ADA concerns—the EC team is well equipped and trained to adapt and accommodate all needs to ensure the most memorable experience possible! An Event Concierge experience can be as intimate as a private Give the Gift of GFS tour for 2 people, or as large as a corporate, community, or wedding While the EC Program’s team shares event for as many as 300 guests! Whether you are a true passion and love of Grounds looking for a general tour of the Grounds for first- For Sculpture, the group is made time visitors, a more extensive tour for GFS Members up of diverse ages, backgrounds or those with backgrounds in art or horticulture, or and life experiences. They are fine a business/team-driven event experience, Grounds For Sculpture’s Event Concierge team is dedicated to artists, entrepreneurs, and educators expanding the GFS family—and most importantly— at college, elementary and special the sustainability of GFS for many years to come. education levels. EC Tours accommodate up to 15 individuals per Event Concierge for a fee of $75/ hour, plus admission to GFS. For additional information about the GFS Event Concierge Program, or to book an EC for your special tour or event, please contact Cindy Srnka, Corporate Engagement Associate, at 609-5860616 ext. 253, two weeks prior to the date you would like your tour.

Receive event guides electronically by sending an email to gogreen@ groundsforsculpture.org. You’ll be helping us take a step toward sustainability and be among the first to receive this information, which means you’ll have first dibs on programs that always sell out! Please be sure to add info@groundsforsculpture.org

to your address book so you get our messages!

Interested in becoming an Events Concierge? As a part-time position during the March through October tour season, the Events Concierges are trained to provide tours about the history of Grounds For Sculpture, the benefits of membership, sponsorship opportunities, and an overview of a select number of sculptures. Individuals with an arts or arts education background are ideal candidates. Resumes should be sent to careers@ groundsforsculpture.org.

Please help us welcome our new Director of Engagement and Education, Heather Brady, who joined the GFS staff in October 2015. In this newly created position, Heather will oversee our education and events department, helping to curate exciting and meaningful experiences that convey the great value of visual, performing, and literary arts for young children, youth, and adults of all backgrounds and interests. A national search process was led by m/Oppenheim Associates, and Heather interviewed with a committee comprised of GFS board members, Executive Director Gary Garrido Schneider, and members of the senior leadership team. Prior to this position, Heather served as the Head of Education at The Noguchi Museum in New York. There, she was responsible for overseeing programs designed to support visitors of all ages and abilities as they formed personal connections with the art, life, and vision of the museum’s founder and establishing enduring, collaborative relationships with area schools and community-based organizations. We’re thrilled to have her energy, experience, and expertise to guide and shape our educational and engagement offerings. If you’d like to contact Heather directly, please email hbrady@groundsforsculpture.org. GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

community news “The Big Read” Comes to GFS Grounds For Sculpture is thrilled to have been chosen as a 2016 host organization of a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) “Big Read”grant. A program of the NEA,“The Big Read” broadens our understanding of our world, our communities and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. We’ve chosen the novel, Into the Beautiful North by Luís Alberto Urrea, to launch our community-wide project. The novel examines the complex relationships between and across the U.S.-Mexico border, with humor and compassion as it tells the story of a young woman’s quest to rid her town of bandits. “No one writes more tragically or intimately about border culture than this son of a Mexican father and Anglo mother,” journalist Bill Moyers has said of Luis Alberto Urrea. A month-long series of free events, including book clubs, public art projects, music and dance programs, and film screenings, runs from April 2016 through May 2016. “This program is a real opportunity to reach new audiences in Hamilton through award-winning arts programming,” said GFS executive director, Gary Schneider.“It’s an honor to have been chosen and the staff has created a truly dynamic program of events.” Beginning in February 2016, 300 free copies of the book (in English and Spanish) will be available to Hamilton residents at Grounds For Sculpture and the Hamilton Public Library. Please visit groundsforsculpture.org for program details.

COMBAT PAPER NJ Our Artists in Action day on March 19, 2016 will feature a demonstration by Combat Paper NJ—a unique opportunity for our community’s veterans to experience the effects of collaborative art-making. Run by and for military veterans, this project involves the transformation of the participants’ military uniforms into handmade paper to create a medium for veterans to share their stories. Later in July 2016, GFS will run a week-long program with Combat Paper NJ for local veterans. For more information, or to sponsor this project, please contact the Development Office at 609-5860616 ext. 248.

Second Annual Strike Out Hunger Hosted by Grounds For Sculpture June 21, 2016 Save-the-Date! The end of the school is also the end of access to free breakfast/lunch for the 475,000 food-insecure children in New Jersey. This is why we need YOU to join us to STRIKE OUT HUNGER! Grounds For Sculpture invites Members to bring friends, family and coworkers to pack servings of oatmeal that will be provided to food banks across New Jersey. Food packing will be in 2-hour shifts. For more information, please contact Denise Daniels of United Way of Greater Mercer County at 609-637-4903, or denise.daniels@uwgmc.org.

Volunteer Spotlight: Barbara and Jerry Essig CONNECT WITH US

VOLUNTEER: Our volunteer program is an enriching and fun way to spend free time. We cherish—and rely on—the invaluable time our volunteers contribute. To volunteer at GFS or for more information about how you can donate your time, contact our Manager of Volunteer Services at (609) 586-0616, ext. 247. Please see our website at groundsforsculpture.org/ Get-Involved/Volunteer 10

“We relocated to Princeton fifteen years ago and soon found the Grounds as an enjoyable venue for relaxation and an introduction to the world of sculpture and art. Since we’ve become members, we continue to visit the Grounds often, attend programs, lectures, travel and receptions. Jerry retired a little more than a year ago and we decided that it was time for us to become volunteers. Since then we have met many of the staff and volunteers, and we attend classes, visit artists’ studios, have gone on a trip and have learned a great deal about the artists. It is a continuing learning experience for each of us.” Both Barbara and Jerry Essig volunteer at GFS and are also graduates of the Docent Training Program. “A wonderful part of all of this is meeting guests that have never been to the Grounds previously, and speaking about its history and the works of Seward Johnson and the other artists. Some of the fun of all of this is doing it together.”

Barbara and Jerry Essig in Santa Fe, NM GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

GFS welcomes new membership staff Claire Cossaboon Manager, Membership

Shawn Allen-Dela Rosa

Member Lounge Assistant

Photo credit: dmhphotographer.com

Shawn Allen-Dela Rosa joins GFS as the new Member Lounge Assistant. She is a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in Studio Arts/Drawing. Shawn has a background in cultural program development and exhibit design for non-profit healthcare and community art organizations. In the past Shawn has also worked as a freelance illustrator, space-planning designer and teaching artist. It was while facilitating a drawing workshop for adults with post-stroke impairment that she witnessed the truly empowering capacity of art for all people. This inspiration led to a career designing programs and serving as an arts advocate for older adults and children. Shawn also currently works on independent projects in the studio at Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia. How did Shawn come to GFS? A company she formerly worked for had an on-site Japanese garden, provided by the family of George Nakashima. Exposure to the garden led to her interest in Grounds For Sculpture, where she entered the GFS Docent-training program in Autumn 2012. Later in 2015, Shawn also began leading ADA cart tours at GFS. We are thrilled to have Shawn as our new Member Lounge Assistant! Shawn enjoys the positive atmosphere exhibited by GFS staff, and how its various departments are genuinely vested in supporting each other. She views her position in the Member Lounge as the opportunity to engage with art enthusiasts of various backgrounds, each with their own stories and interest in sharing their experiences at Grounds For Sculpture.

Visit us in the Member Lounge!

Thursdays - Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00pm Located in a bright corner of the SJCA building overlooking the gardens, the Member Lounge is an inviting space for members to take a break with a complimentary cup of coffee or tea. Come and read the latest museum publications, learn about upcoming programs for members, or connect with a Membership representative.

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Karen Parmelee, Membership Assistant, is celebrating 5 years working at GFS! She has a background in Accounting and loves spending time with her family. She is also an avid runner and is looking forward to her first half marathon this winter. Karen enjoys interacting with members and visitors, and seeing people discover the beauty and inspiration of Grounds For Sculpture. GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

Photo by Zach Teris for dmhphotographer.com

In August 2015, Grounds For Sculpture welcomed Claire Cossaboon as the new head of its Membership program. Claire comes to GFS with a background in visual arts and non-profit development. She earned her undergraduate degree in Fine Art and Art History from Rowan University. After serving as Gallery Director of Rowan University’s High Street Gallery, she was Curatorial Assistant and later Interim Director of the Career Development Program at The Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA) in Philadelphia. After receiving her Masters in Museum Communication, Museum Studies from The University of the Arts, Claire published her thesis which focused on the power of imagery to communicate institutional mission and offerings across diverse audiences. She went on to work in Public Programs and Membership at The Barnes Foundation, as well as Membership and Donor Relations at The Studio Museum in Harlem. Additionally, through her various audience analyses and development consultancies for organizations such as Art in the Open Philadelphia, Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, Claire has become increasingly interested in audience engagement and securing support for arts programming, exhibitions and opportunities for working artists. Claire believes the arts belong to everyone, and accessibility of the arts is her life’s passion. She is enjoying getting to know the diverse audiences who visit GFS and make up its loyal membership base. If you see her around the Grounds or in the Welcome Center, do feel free to say “Hello!”

Photo courtesy of Matt Yu Yao

Grounds For Sculpture, Inc. 80 Sculptors Way Hamilton NJ 08619

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Trenton, NJ Permit No. 1117

MAKE IT A WONDERFUL WINTER AT GFS In the frosty winter months it may be blustery outside, but indoors or out, there is still so much to see, hear, taste, and do at Grounds For Sculpture! Discover the joys of winter at Grounds For Sculpture, and take advantage of all that we have for you! We’re so excited to share all of our indoor programs with you this winter that we’re offering a special incentive. Purchase your tickets online for visits between January 2 – March 1, 2016 and save! All tickets purchased online for visits during these months will be $10. Members and kids under 5 are free, as always. We can’t wait for your next visit and look forward to sharing this season of wonder with you!

Jason LaViscount, Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager (Hamilton Center City) presents a $10,000 check for two grants from the Roma Bank Community Foundation and from the Investors Bank Foundation to Director of Development, Rhonda DiMascio. These grants will support Community Arts Access Programs at Grounds For Sculpture (GFS). Throughout the year, GFS runs free, educational programs specifically developed to address the needs of vulnerable populations in our community, including seniors, at-risk teens, homeless children, veterans, and adults with cognitive and physical impairments.

groundsforsculpture.org | 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619