On Sunday, September 25, artists in eight categories were selected as winners in the annual Arts in the Park juried art show. This year’s show and festival – Highland Park’s 12th Annual Celebration of the Arts – attracted a record number of artists and visitors.
“This is hands down the best outdoor arts event in New Jersey. Many communities have outdoor festivals with food and entertainment. But this festival is filled with art – crafts of all types, painting, sculpture, prints, photographs, mixed media – plus the great food and entertainment,” said an Atlantic City-based potter Brian Shultz, who vowed to be an exhibitor next year.
Arts in the Park, Highland Park New Jersey’s annual arts street festival, showcases fine arts and crafts from all over the region and shines a spotlight on Highland Park’s vibrant, diverse, multi-faceted arts scene. This outdoor juried art show and street fair draws thousands of people to the streets of Highland Park to enjoy top-notch art, music, and food while exploring Highland Park’s downtown as a shopping and dining destination.
Juried Art Show
This year’s art show judges represented a diverse array of artists, arts professionals, and local celebrities. The juried art show featured cash awards for first, second, and third places in eight categories: Graphics/Drawing/Printmaking, Fine Crafts, Mixed Media, Textiles/Quilts/Needlework, Painting, Jewelry, Photography, and Sculpture.
The winners were:
- Painting
- Juan Ayala
- Helen Harris
- Hana Aviv
- Sculpture
- Ellen Rebarber
- Brian Applequist
- Alice Jarrett
- Jewelry
- Chelsea Stewart
- Adwoa Djaba
- Lila Gutowski
- Textiles/Quilts/Needlework
- Beryl Koblin
- Katie Gloede
- Jennifer Muller
- Photography
- Matt Allouf
- Greg Atkinson
- Neal Sehgal
- Mixed Media
- Brittany Pochick
- Alexix Vassilious
- Violet Goldilla
- Fine Crafts
- Bryan Weitz
- Marion Stewart
- Dana Keith
- Graphics/Drawing/Printmaking
- Les Hardley
- Arnie Weinberg
- Diana Love
This year’s art show jurors were:
- Molly de Aguiar, Program Director, Informed Communities, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
- Chris Gash, Illustrator at chrisgash.com and visiting specialist at Montclair State University
- Géza Günther Schenk, Graphic Designer and Owner, GGS Communication, LLC
- Annie Hogan, Visual, Performing & Media Arts Department Chair at Middlesex County College
- Wendy Liscow, Education Program Director, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
- James Nichols, AIA, Architect and Main Street Highland Park Design Committee Chair
- Amee Pollack, Manager, BFA and BA programs in visual arts and design at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
- Melissa Quaal, Sewing blogger at ahappystitch.com, DIY sewing freelancer, and sewing instructor
Live Music & Performing Arts
On the festival’s three performance stages along Raritan Avenue (Route 27), there was a wide range variety of music and performances. Performers were: John Bianculli (Jazz); Scarlet DuMonde (Belly Dancing); Snark Twins (Rock); Daoine (Traditional Irish music); Magnolia Street String Band (Bluegrass); Tsu Fil Duvids (Klezmer); BeYouDance Studio (lyrical, contemporary, and jazz dance); Kinetics Fitness (Zumba demonstrations); Mr. Ray (Kids’ Rock); Danny & Jeremy (Rock); Ziran Martial Arts (Martial Arts demonstrations); and salsa, rock, and jazz performances by Speak Music students & faculty.
Sponsors
Main Street Highland Park’s Executive Director Rebecca Hersh offered most appreciative thank-yous to the generous arts festival sponsors, without whom this festival would not be possible.
- Unity Bank
- Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission
- SpeakMusic Conservatory
- Over the Moon Toys
- Miller’s Rentals
- Highland Park Artists Collective
- EthnosNB.com
- Minuteman Press of Highland Park
- Strub Law, LLC
- Aamatex Power Washing
- All Colors, LLC