Arts Council asks citizens to call police with information
By Ruth Luse, Packet Media Group
Three separate incidents of vandalism and/or theft of oxen on display throughout Hopewell Valley were reported to the Hopewell Township Police Department between Aug. 7 and 18, according to Chief Lance Maloney.
The first incident occurred on Aug. 7, when someone poured orange paint over an ox on display in front of the Pennington Quality Market, Route 31 and West Delaware Avenue.
The next incident occurred on or after Aug. 12, when someone took an ox from its displayed location at the intersection of Elm Ridge Road and Blue Spruce Drive and later returned it with a foot broken off. Damage was estimated at $500.
The most recent incident occurred sometime overnight on Aug. 17 or 18, when an ox on display near Denow and Van Brunt roads was knocked over.
ON MONDAY, expressing outrage on behalf of the Hopewell Valley community, Eric Bradshaw, Hopewell Valley Arts Council volunteer, is urging anyone who knows anything about the three incidents of vandalism on the "Stampede" oxen or sees anything suspicious going on, to let the Hopewell Township Police Department know immediately. The police can be reached at 609-737-3100.
"We intend to prosecute" those responsible for damaging the three oxen, said Mr. Bradshaw, whose wife Linda, a longtime art teacher at Hopewell Elementary School, is one of the artists who painted an ox.
He said a huge amount of time, effort, money and civic pride is embodied in the public art exhibit, known as The Stampede. "Our hope is that citizens of our community will step-up and help us protect the artwork so that it can stay in place for the enjoyment of local residents and tourists to the area."
"The cost to fabricate each ox was $1,000 to $2,000. However, after the application of the skillful artisan’s imagination, artistry and magic the value becomes $5,000 to $10,000 or, even priceless, depending upon the eyes of the beholder," said Mr. Bradshaw.
About 30 people and 68 artists have been involved in bringing the "Stampede" to fruition with an eye toward providing seed money for the Arts Council’s future endeavors.
The Stampede outdoor public art exhibition, featuring the 68 decorated oxen, will be on display in all parts of Hopewell Valley through Oct. 19. The oxen will then be available for purchase through a silent online auction beginning on Sept. 16.
IN JANUARY 2013, members of the Hopewell Township Committee reacted enthusiastically to a proposal for the Hopewell Valley Public Arts Initiative (HVPAI) presented by Betsy Ackerman, co-chairwoman of the Hopewell Valley Arts Council.
"I think it’s a fabulous idea," said then Committeeman Michael Markulec. "We already have great programs in youth recreation and other areas. An Arts Council in the Valley is needed."
In addition to establishing a Hopewell Valley Arts Council, the group’s mission statement says that one of its goals was to call the residents of Hopewell Borough, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Township together in support of a shared goal…what better way then through art.
A long-term goal is to have an arts center, perhaps part of a community center, in the Valley. The arts center would not be just for the showings of pieces from the visual arts, such as painting and sculpture, but for music, film and other media, as well, Ms. Ackerman said in 2013.