Performers for Saturday event include David Herrstrom and Cheri Rose Katz of Roosevelt.
By: Scott Morgan
As the shock waves of Sept. 11 gradually meld into a deeper need to reignite the human spirit, local artists and musicians are seeking ways to express their emotions through their media.
To that end, the borough, in conjunction with Outta Sights and Sounds, the Roosevelt Arts Project and the Community Arts Partnership at The Peddie School will present "An Evening of Healing and Hope" Saturday.
Cathy Robohm Watkins, a member of Peddie’s visual arts faculty, said the evening was arranged to offer both artists and residents "a much-needed opportunity" to move beyond the tragedy and toward the "positive capabilities of humankind."
Robert Rund, executive director of CAPPS, said the gathering of such myriad talents and forms of expression, from jazz to oil paintings, "makes a pretty compelling statement" about the publics feelings toward the tragedy. Art, he said, "allows the chance to express ourselves. Art touches us in ways that are cathartic."
Area artists and musicians expected to present their work include poet David Herrstrom and mezzo-soprano Cheri Rose Katz of Roosevelt; author Paul Watkins, writer-in-residence at Peddie; and the Rev. Javier Diaz-Muñoz of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church.
The evening will begin at the William Mount-Burke Theater at Peddie. Mr. Rund said additional seating, with a live video feed, will be provided at the Swig Arts Center building directly next to the theater.
Those in attendance will have the opportunity to become part of a piece of "living art." Mr. Rund said participating artists are still working on the final concept, but it likely will entail audience members receiving a piece of fabric or other material that will collectively make up a single work of art. The final incarnation of this work later will be moved to borough hall.
"Everyone wants our nation to heal," Mr. Rund said. "These organizations have come together as our small contribution to that effort."
"An Evening of Healing and Hope" will be held 7 p.m. Saturday in the William Mount-Burke Theater at the Peddie School. Admission is free, though contributions to the Red Cross will be accepted. For more information, call 490-7550 or visit www.peddie.org/capps.