Call for Cooks
Princeton chefs — from amateurs to professionals — are invited to participate in the Princeton Community Chili Cook-Off, hosted by the Arts Council of Princeton in partnership with the Historical Society of Princeton on Sunday, September 22, from noon to 3 p.m. Registration is now open at www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.
The event, being held at the Historical Society’s Updike Farmstead on Quaker Road, gives attendees the opportunity to enjoy samples from professional and amateur chefs before casting their vote. Live music, beer, and cider will complete this festive fall day on the farm. Funds raised will support ACP and HSP community programs.
There are separate categories for amateur cooks and restaurants. Registration is $25 for the former and $50 for the latter. Tickets for the event are $15.
The following rules apply:
• Chili is a stew containing chili peppers, tomatoes, beans, and often meat. Other seasonings may include garlic, onions, and cumin. Each entry must be labeled “Meat” or “Vegetarian.”
• Only one entry per person, group, or restaurant is permitted and registration is required.
• All ingredients must be pre-cooked before the event. Chili is to be brought ready to eat and reheated on-site. Chili must be presented in a sanitary crock-pot or similar pot and served at a temperature of 180 degrees. All subject to inspection by Princeton Health Department. Each contestant will have access to power.
• Each contestant must prepare a minimum of 5 liters (or 100 samples) of chili.
Chili tasting cups, spoons, and napkins will be provided. Contestants are required to provide ingredients, garnishes, and kitchen tools, including serving utensils. Contestants must be at their tasting table for the event’s duration to serve attendees.
Calls for Artists
West Windsor Arts is seeking handmade whimsical or functional objects created by makers for its upcoming Off the Wall Holiday Market. Work must be original and handcrafted by the artist. The Holiday Market will take place in our gallery with holiday tents and lots of cheer to welcome customers.
The focus is on you, the Maker: your story, what makes your process unique, the history of your craft, your sustainable practices, and any other aspect of your business that helps customers understand who you are. Promotion of the event will include emails to our list of over 7000 subscribers and local residents who support the arts, social media posts, printed mailer, individual promotion of each artisan with a link to their items in our store, and more.
There will be six weeks of shopping, in the market and online store. The schedule is:
• In-person weekend dates: November 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, December 7, 8, 14 15 and 21 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• 24/7 in the online store
• Private Donor Only shopping spree: November 16 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Private Members Only shopping spree: November 16 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Opening Day for everyone: November 17 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Private appointments upon request
To enter your work, Makers should send an email to wwacexhibits@gmail.com. Tell us something about your work, and about yourself, give us your price range and attach a few pictures. Let us know what is unique about you and what you are creating, why would people want to buy the items you make? If accepted, we will then set up a consultation with you to determine the best fit for your items.
Rolling entry continues throughout the summer with a final deadline of Thursday, September 5. Artisans are encouraged to enter early because submissions will be accepted as they are received. Artisans will enter their items into a shared spreadsheet by Sunday, September 15. The drop off deadline for accepted work is Tuesday, October 15.
Artisans will be juried for participation by the Exhibition Committee. Categories include: apothecary, basketry, ceramics/pottery, fiber/textile, glass items, jewelry, leather goods, metal arts, non-perishable food products, paper crafts and journals, woodworking, and more.
Items must be handcrafted by the artisan. Artisan Vendors must inform us if their items are sourced out to be made by a third party, or if Artisan Vendor is selling items made by another person.
The number of items accepted from each Artisan will depend on many factors including type of product, materials used and price point. The information you provide will be used on our website and in marketing and promotion.
Accepted pieces are to be delivered to the arts center. Each item must be individually marked with a label attached: name of business, first and last name of artist, title/name of piece, price and item number (as defined by WWA- see below). Labels on the items must match the information you provided to us.
If all items are sold, we may request additional items.
Artisans must work 1 market shift, 5.5 hours each. Time each day will be from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Holiday Market will be set up much like a store and the participation by the Artisans will help with its overall success. Dates will be assigned on a first come first serve basis. Training will be provided.
There is no up front fee to enter items or for the initial consultation. Artists who work a market shift receive a 50/50 split from their sold products. Artists who work two or more shifts earn a 60/40 split. A fee of $25 will be deducted from payment of sold items for Artisans not working shifts.
The types of items that do well at this market include whimsical items; household decorative or functional items; women’s accessories; jewelry; pottery and ceramics; and kid related items
For questions, contact Kimberly at Kimberly@westwindsorarts.org. For more information, visit www.westwindsorarts.org. West Windsor Arts is located at 952 Alexander Road in West Windsor.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, along with the Office on Aging and Division of Culture and Heritage, present the 2024 Mercer County Senior Art Show from August 19 through September 9 at The Conference Center at Mercer located at Mercer County Community College.
Any Mercer County resident age 60 or older may submit one entry that has been completed in the past three years. Artwork must be the original work of the applicant and must not have been entered into a previous county show. The categories included in the 2024 Mercer County Senior Art Show are acrylic, craft, digital art, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, print, sculpture, watercolor, and works on paper (drawing).
First-place winners automatically advance to the State’s New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show in the fall. One professional and one non-professional first-place winner are accepted into the State show in each of the above categories.
Registration through the Office on Aging is open and will end Monday, August 5, at 11:59 p.m. Artwork should be delivered to The Conference Center at Mercer on Monday, August 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hours for viewing the exhibit at the conference center are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In-person viewing at The Conference Center at Mercer begins Monday, August 19, and the online viewing begins the same day on the Office on Aging’s web page. The exhibit closes at The Conference Center at Mercer at 5 p.m. on September 9, but will be available online until the 2025 County art show.
For more information on the art show, including guidelines or a registration form, please contact Karina Turek from the Office on Aging at kturek@mercercounty.org or 609-989-6661. Visit the website.
Call for Donations
Propagate Studio in Stewartsville, New Jersey, is collaborating with West Windsor Arts on an Art Supply Thrift Shop to give artists and creators an opportunity to clear out unused and forgotten art supplies from their homes or studios. On Saturday, July 27, West Windsor Arts will be open to drop off all of your donated art supplies. Visit www.westwindsorarts.org for a suggested list of acceptable items and a list for things we do not want. Everyone dropping off can get a letter acknowledging their donation. Planning on donating? Email Kimberly@westwindsorarts.org for more information.
The thrift shop will take place Saturday, August 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $5 admission fee and “take what you’ll use and pay what you can” pricing scheme. West Windsor Arts is located at 952 Alexander Road in West Windsor.
