EDITORIAL
Central New Jersey affords its residents many luxuries, not the least of which is its proximity to New York City and Philadelphia.
In just 40 minutes to an hour, less in many cases, residents can find themselves in either of these cities enjoying history, music and art for an afternoon. In other words, a world of culture is just a day-trip away.
But a journey through the arts doesn’t have to start by traveling to these nearby cities, it can begin here, in Cranbury, Jamesburg and Monroe.
Each town has its own thriving communities of artists, writers and performers and each town has events at which the work of these talented residents can be showcased.
These events provide residents with an eye-opening look at a community rich in talent and should be taken advantage of as often as a trip to the city for dinner and a show.
Cranbury has the Cranbury Arts Council, the Cranbury Museum and the Gourgaud Gallery in Town Hall. Monroe has the Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission, The Mighty Oak Players and regular exhibits at its public library. The Jamesburg Public Library is home to regular art exhibits and has been the scene of poetry readings, and the Lakeview: Buckelew Mansion offers residents a glimpse into the borough’s past.
These are only a few of the places and groups that can be found in the area for residents to get their fix of the arts.
And, many of these venues and groups are sponsored in part by local governments, a clear indication of the area’s dedication to the arts.
An example of just how important a role the arts play in our area is Cranbury’s renovation of the Gourgaud Gallery. When the township renovated the Old School for $2 million and renamed it Town Hall, it made sure the Gourgaud Gallery was included in the project. The township also spent months creating a committee to run the gallery, which also will showcase musical performances, dramatic readings and other events.
Making the township’s preservation of the gallery even more impressive is that for a time it was used as anything other than an art gallery.
The gallery was part of Cranbury Landmarks’s efforts to turn the schoolhouse into a community cultural center in the 1960s. The gallery was empty when the township gained control of the building in 1998 and before that it was the temporary home to the library, which moved in during renovations to the library in the Cranbury School.
The gallery already has had one exhibit, a display of photographs of the schoolhouse from its original construction to more recent views. Its latest exhibit, "American Barns," opened Monday and will run through March 10. It highlights the works of "Watercolorists Unlimited," including local artists Wilma Shimer, Lisa Wash and Ginny Swanagan.
In addition to giving residents a place to go, groups like the Cranbury Arts Council and Mighty Oak Players give people with the talent or desire to pursue their passions a place that they are welcome.
Tonight (Friday) is the last of three auditions for the player’s variety show, which will be held March 9 at the Richard P. Marasco Performing Arts Center. Additionally, the arts council invites professional and established artists to share their skills during its Art in the Park series.
There is no shortage of opportunities for residents who love the arts, or those who wish they were involved. They all should be considered as viable an option as a trip to the city.