SCLSNJ Artists-in-Residence to Host Arts Workshops Throughout the Month of June

Last year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded coLAB Arts and the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) a $75,000 Our Town, creative placemaking grant. Through this grant award, the Library System installed two Artists-in-Residence - photographer Diane Wah-Zuercher at the Manville branch and movement artist Sarah Dahnke at the Somerville branch.

"Sarah and Diane have spent the last few months really digging into their communities," said coLAB Arts producing director, Dan Swern. "Now it's their turn to extend their own hospitality, and invite local residents of the county to move together, create together, and learn together." Both artists are now beginning to host arts-based workshops both in the Library and in other community spaces. Movement artist Dahnke will be hosting multiple “What is Home” exploratory workshops throughout June. "I am looking forward to connecting with the Somerville community through this special opportunity to dance in the Library,” said Dahnke. “I am excited about learning the ways we all connect with the idea of home, and how that may have shifted over time."

Learn more or register to attend these movement and dance programs:

June 6, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6685009; and 3:30-5 p.m., https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6685029.

June 11, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6685060; and 3:30-5 p.m. https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6685075.

June 15, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6685092; and 3:30-5 p.m., https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6685104.

June 28, 2:30-4 p.m., https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6754506.

Photographer Wah-Zuercher will be hosting a phone photography basics for senior citizens; a program planned in partnership with the Manville Recreation Department.
“My art practice uses the photographic image to restructure old ways of thinking,” said Wah-Zuercher. “My residency will consist of a series of educational workshops, as well as the creation of new work to be displayed in town later this year. I’m really excited to make work inspired by the Manville community.”

Learn more or register to attend this program:
June 9, 11 a.m. - noon, https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6681225.

The National Endowment for the Arts supports exemplary arts projects in communities nationwide through grantmaking, initiatives, partnerships, and events. For more information on the projects included in the Arts Endowment grant announcement, visit: arts.gov/about/news. Learn more about the arts in your community at arts.gov.

To discover all SCLSNJ has to offer, visit SCLSNJ.org or connect with SCLSNJ on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

About Somerset County Library System of New Jersey
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) partners with you to connect, to explore, to share and to discover. Together we enrich lives, expand knowledge and strengthen communities. SCLSNJ branches can be found in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Rocky Hill at Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Somerville, Warren Township, and Watchung. Additionally, there are two SCLSNJ reading stations in Branchburg and Washington Valley. Visit SCLSNJ.org.

About coLAB Arts
coLAB Arts engages artists, social advocates, and communities to create transformative new work. coLAB Arts facilitates creative conversation through innovative programs and artist infrastructure, connects artists with community partners and mentors, and executes productions that challenge perceptions and inspire action. Visit colab-arts.org | @colabarts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About National Endowments for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts supports exemplary arts projects in communities nationwide through grantmaking, initiatives, partnerships, and events. For more information on the projects included in the Arts Endowment grant announcement, visit: arts.gov/news. Learn more about the arts in your community at arts.gov.