Peddie hosts evening of healing

The "Evening of Healing and Hope" will leave behind a marker — a communal piece of artwork that will be displayed at the borough hall.

By: Marybeth Scriven
   HIGHTSTOWN — A piece of communal art work marked the end of a day of healing for the community Saturday at The Peddie School.
   The Community Arts Partnership at The Peddie School, Outta Sights and Sounds and The Roosevelt Arts Project collaborated to present "An Evening of Healing and Hope" at the William Mount-Burke Theater Saturday night. The event concluded the borough’s official day of remembrance for the victims and survivors of the Sept. 11 attack at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
   Audience members sat with faces down, staring intently at a square piece of paper in their laps that each person deliberately attempted to contort. Their gaze switched to the movie screen in front of them, which showed a pair of hands instructing them on how to fold the piece of paper. Each person sat and watched, determined to create art.
   The evening was designed to gather the art community together and offer comfort to those in attendance. Part of the evening’s expression was the piece of communal artwork, the beginning of which greeted each person as he or she entered the school’s theater. Everyone in attendance was given a square sheet of paper together with instructions on creating a paper crane. Videos detailing the process were ongoing prior to the beginning of the evening’s entertainment.
   Everyone in attendance, with help if needed, was encouraged to complete the difficult task and deposit the crane in a Lucite box in the theater’s lobby. This artwork, created collectively, will be displayed at borough hall.
   That was only a small portion of the art exhibited and enjoyed during the evening. Artwork from various artists — including Joan Krejcar Sharma, Robert Rebh, Catherine Robohm Watkins and the Rev. Javier Diaz-Muñoz — was on display in the lobby.
   The Rev. Diaz-Muñoz offered two paintings illustrating his impression of the Sept. 11 tragedy in Manhattan. One displayed the World Trade Center buildings cast in silver with a white dove carrying a red, white and blue ribbon in front of the twin towers. The other depicted the raising of the American flag among the rubble by three firefighters.
   The Rev. Diaz-Muñoz later explained that it is "easier to express myself in paintings than in words." He offered that "beyond the clouds, the sun is still shining."
   Mayor Amy Aughenbaugh, who noted that "the artist should love life and show one another that life is beautiful," gave the welcome address.
   Others provided inspiration through poetry readings. Paul Watkins, writer-in-residence at The Peddie School, participated in the program, powerfully reading the poem "Clouds" by Rupert Brooke. Author David Herrstrom offered four readings, including "Oceans" by Juan Ramon Jiminez and "November Day at McClure’s Beach" by Robert Bly.
   Music, however, was the dominant artwork featured in its many forms. Performances ranged from a stirring rendition of Brian Wilson’s "Love and Mercy" by John Bates, to three folk songs by David Brahinsky, to a performance of "Pie Jesu" (from Requiem) by soprano Karen Notare. In addition, four piano performances were offered by Fred Hersch near the end of the evening.
   In conclusion, the artists gathered on stage for a performance of "God Bless America."