The Arts Are Everywhere In South Orange This September.

Here's What You Should Know

Ink Jet Print, constructe using ice, snow and disposable packaging as molds, 2019

1) Mounds, Piles & Massings

The Pierro Gallery of South Orange kicks off the season with a provocative group exhibition at the Walsh Gallery, Seton Hall. Curated by South Orange artist/curator Greg Leshé, the exhibition looks at the human impulse to stack, pile and amass groupings of objects as both creative action and critical inquiry. This collaboration between the Pierro Gallery and the Walsh Gallery is the latest of many art partnerships between the two institutions. Sandy Martiny, Director of Cultural Affairs and the Pierro Gallery said, "We are grateful for this opportunity to continue high quality arts programming for the town in connection with the Walsh Gallery, especially while the Pierro is undergoing renovation. We look forward to many more interesting collaborations in the future." Participating artists include Cat Alden, Noa Charuvi, Kate Dodd, Deborah Jack, Vandana Jain, Daren Kendall, Robert Lach, Ann LePore, Greg Leshé, Darren Lee Miller, John Pfahl, Elizabeth Riley and Kathryn Vajada. The show is on view September 9- October 10th 10:30am to 4:30 pm , Monday- Friday. An opening reception will be held Thursday, September 12, 5pm to 9 pm. Artist Talks will take place Thursday, October 10 at 7pm. The Walsh Gallery, Seton Hall University 400 S. Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079

South Orange artist Judy Targan shares her work with tour goers.

2) SOMA Studio Tour Registration

Are you an artist who wants to meet fellow art lovers and potential collectors? Register for the Annual SOMA Artists Studio Tour by September 15 to get your star on the map! The 16th Annual SOMA Studio Tour is happening November 2nd and 3rd 2019. It’s a highly anticipated, vital and important arts event in our region that draws over 70 artists in studios and group venues in South Orange and Maplewood. Sponsorship opportunites too!

Detail of Dan Fenelon Mural in Spiotta Park

3) Village Art Trail

The Village Art Trail, an initiative of SOMA Two Towns for All Ages, will have its debut walk at 10am Friday, September 13, starting and finishing in the Baird parking lot. Ken Krasner and Jason Rulnick of the South Orange Arts Advisory Council will be present to guide the tour and give insights into the many lovely works of art on public view in South Orange. The tour and its accompanying map are part of "SOMA on the Move," a series of mapped walking routes to encourage people to get out, get exercise and take a look around our beautiful towns. This map guides walkers along a 1.5 mile route, a 30- 45 minute trek for most people, and features cultural sites in the park and in town, including TAU, the Gateway Murals, Spiotta Park, the WPA mural at the Post Office and more. The map is designed to make it fun and easy to stay fit by walking and enjoying the growing number of public art sites in South Orange.

Maplewoodshop!

4) Arts Experience at PlayDay

Back for another incredible play-filled year, PlayDay South Orange is the Village's largest public event and features more than 10 Play Areas, many sponsored by generous local organizations and companies. If your family loves the arts, head straight for Spiotta Park, the headquarters of Arts Experience where local creatives share artsy times with families. Josie Stone of Wildly Florals and Leana Lu of Sew Leana will get you involved in their giant Nature Weaving. Work with artist Sumana Gosh Witherspoon to help create a portable mural of our town center, “Picturing South Orange." Mike Schloff of Maplewoodshop presents the "Try-Wood-a-thon", and Hope and Wonder Theater's Natalie Picoe will lead you in improvisational theatre games. SOPublic Library Library brings out the Legos, South Orange Stories, Tech Station, and more, all a part of crazy fun PlayDay September 15, 2019, 1-6pm . Rain date, September 22.

Kenneth Hart

5) Watershed Literary Events

Home town poets Alicia Mountain and Kenneth Hart, both alumni of Columbia High School, are the featured readers at 7 pm on Friday, September 27, at the newly renovated Skate House in South Orange. The event is free and open to the public.

Alicia Mountain

6) Look for a new installation from Pierro Outdoors at Valley Street Windows. "View of Steel and Flowers" by PATRICIA CAZORLA & NANCY SALEME will grace this space in mid September.