Public Invited to Paint Art Center Canvas

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the Visual Arts Center.

The is partnering with The Arc of Essex County on a special project as part of the free Open House event on Sunday, April 22, during the For Art’s Sake Weekend fundraiser.

Clients of the Reach Community Resource Center in Caldwell, Opportunity Zone in Maplewood, Livingston Community Resource Center in Livingston, Creative Visions in Bloomfield, Community Link in Fairfield, and Avenues in Orange who have been visiting the Art Center twice a week this spring are painting a section of a 6-by-6 ft. canvas.

Open House attendees will be asked to complete this large painting; the work will be donated to The Arc of Essex County for display after the event. This collaborative project between the community and adults with disabilities fulfills the Art Center’s mission of bringing art and people together.  

The Art Center has been working with The Arc of Essex County for the past 22 years to provide art instruction to adults with disabilities. Each year over 1,000 children and adults with special needs benefit from the Art Center’s educational programs.

For Art’s Sake Weekend is the Art Center’s major fundraising event. The three-day event includes a Road Trip to visit the working studio of an internationally-recognized artist and the home of world-class contemporary art collectors, a Blank Canvas Benefit featuring a silent art auction, and a free Open House with art-making, performances and kid-friendly fare. Since its inception in 2005, For Art’s Sake has netted over $900,000 to support the Art Center’s arts education programs, exhibitions and outreach initiatives.