ROOSEVELT — Artists and craftspeople in Roosevelt will open their studios to members of the public from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 16.
Before visiting the artists’ studios, guests are invited into the Roosevelt Public School for a presentation about the historic Roosevelt fresco mural created by artist Ben Shahn.
The day is sponsored by the Roosevelt Arts Project (RAP). Since the borough’s inception in the 1930s, Roosevelt has had a strong tradition rooted in the creative arts, and RAP curates arts events throughout the year to showcase local artists, according to a press release.
Roosevelt was created as a New Deal resettlement community by the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The new municipality was named Jersey Homesteads. It was subsequently renamed for the president.
This year, some of Roosevelt’s artists are opening their studios to the public for a pre-holiday show and sale.
Participants include visual artists Barbara Atwood, Naomi Brahinsky, Gary Edelstein, Sheila Linz, Jill Lipoti, Heidi Monteleone, Pat Monteleone and Ellen Silverman.
Art and craft works on view and for sale include paintings, drawings, sculptures, fine woodworking, pottery and photography.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. at the Roosevelt Public School, School Lane (off Route 571). Alan Mallach will deliver an informative talk about the school’s 45-foot-long fresco mural created in 1937 by Shahn, who was a resident of the community.
The mural depicts the life of Jewish immigrants coming to America in the 1930s, according to the website http://livingnewdeal. berkeley.edu.
Visitors are invited to walk or drive around town to visit the artists’ studios from noon to 5 p.m. Studio maps will be available at the Roosevelt Public School. A donation of $5 is recommended. Maps can be found online at http://www.rooseveltarts project.org. For more information, call 609-443-1898.