The programs includes exhibitions, workshops and a festival
MILLVILLE -- Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center announces the 2016 special Down Jersey Folklife Center program, "Shades of Past, Colors of the Present: Preserving Caribbean Cultural Heritage in New Jersey." In partnership with the Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission and Cumberland County College, the project will address the history and cultural heritage of New Jersey's residents of Caribbean descent through a multi-faceted project that includes research, documentation, exhibition, educational programs and public presentations of Caribbean arts and culture. This is the sixth program in the Creative Community Connections initiative that began at WheatonArts in 2004.
The exploration of Caribbean art, history, and culture began with a program launched this past spring as part of in-school residency programs in the Bridgeton, Millville, and Vineland school districts. Exhibitions and events throughout the remainder of 2016 include:
- Caribbean Carnival: Tradition of Artistry, Visions of Change, an exhibition in the Folklife Galleries at WheatonArts from July 8 through Nov. 27
- SANKOFA: Reflections on Cultural Heritage and Shared Humanity, an exhibition in the Gallery of Fine Craft at WheatonArts from July 8 through Aug. 14
- Between Worlds - In a World, an exhibition in the Rowan College Gallery at Rowan College at Gloucester County from Sept. 8 through Oct. 28
- Oil Down: (A Recipe for) Uniqueness Born from Differences, an exhibition at Cumberland County College Gallery at Clay College from Dec. 1-31
- An Epistle of Resilience, a traveling exhibition that will be featured at local libraries throughout Cumberland County, dates to be announced
- Classes and Workshops in the following areas: mask making, clay instrument making, storytelling, drumming and dancing, painting, found object art, palm weaving, and coconut and bamboo carving, fall dates to be announced
- Caribbean Communities and Cultures: Preservation and Adaptation, a conference for educators and interested community members at WheatonArts on Oct. 28
- Caribbean Cultural Heritage: A Day Celebration!, a one-day Festival bringing together music, dance and visual arts that represent the many faces of the Caribbean cultural heritage at WheatonArts on Sept. 17
The Down Jersey Folklife Center (DJFC) at WheatonArts was initiated 1995, in conjunction with a major NJSCA initiative to create a state-wide Folklife Infrastructure. The Center has presented programming to diverse audiences at WheatonArts, in area schools, and at other sites. Public programs include exhibitions, demonstrations by artists/tradition bearers, performances, festivals, classes, training for educators and interns, lectures and seminars. The Creative Community Connections initiative, a DJFC program, was designed to raise awareness of cultural heritages and to create a welcoming community setting for appreciating, preserving and perpetuating the folk and traditional arts of our region's extraordinarily diverse population.
For more information about WheatonArts or the Down Jersey Folklife Center, call 1-800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, or visit online at wheatonarts.org.
WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Please provide two weeks notice for additional needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.
This item submitted by WheatonArts.