Opportunities: County Issues Call for Artists
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage announce that Mercer County has a public art Request for Qualifications on the CaFÉ (Call for Entry) website www.callforentry.org.
The county is issuing a Request for Qualifications (Phase 1), inviting artists/artist teams who wish to be considered to submit by Friday, December 8, their interest and qualifications for the creation of a public mural. This mural is to be installed on an exterior 319 feet wide by 19 feet high wall located at 600 Cass Street, Trenton, on the New Jersey State Prison. This project is known as the Mercer County Cass Street Prison Mural Project.
The initial Request for Qualifications for this project will be offered only through the CaFÉ site, which is also used by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for the Council’s Arts Inclusion opportunities. Artists interested in submitting qualifications for this RFQ are encouraged to immediately set up a free artist’s account on CaFÉ. This free registration gives artists access to monthly listings of public arts project opportunities in New Jersey and across the nation.
Through CaFE, artists can upload up to 100 images of their work, as well as their resumes, bios and other materials that can be used in applying for commissions announced through the website.
Questions regarding the “Call for Artists” for this RFQ may be directed through CaFE once the call is posted. Artists who would like further information regarding the Mercer County Cass Street Prison Mural Project may email the Division of Culture & Heritage at cultureandheritage@mercercounty.org.
Visit https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=12457.
Trim a Tree in Hopewell Borough
The Hopewell Borough Economic Development Committee in partnership with the Sourland Conservancy is proud to announce their first Community Tree Decorating Contest.
A total of 30 native red cedar trees were purchased jointly by Hopewell Borough and the Sourland Conservancy. Volunteers have planted them in the borough’s planters on Broad Street, Railroad Place, and Seminary Avenue.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for residents, visitors, nonprofits, civic organizations, and businesses to celebrate our community,” said Heidi Wilenius, Chair of the Economic Development Committee. “I’m excited to see the creative decorations. Celebration of a wide range of interests, faiths, and cultures is appreciated and encouraged.”
Voting will begin on Small Business Saturday, November 25, and will continue through Sunday, December 17. Ballots may be completed at any one of three ballot drop-off locations listed at www.downtownhopewell.com. There will be no on-line voting available.
The trees will adorn downtown Hopewell throughout the winter. In the spring, they will be planted nearby in the forest by Sourland Conservancy volunteers in support of the organization’s ongoing forest restoration project. “Thanks to all of the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to bring this idea to life,” said Laurie Cleveland, Sourland Conservancy’s Executive Director. “These trees are a symbol of eternity. They will brighten our holidays then move to the forest to help reduce flooding, sequester carbon, provide critical habitat, and ensure a healthy legacy for future generations.”
Visit www.DowntownHopewell.com for more information or to register. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis until all trees have been claimed. Registrants will be assigned a tree location via email. The committee will try to accommodate location requests.
Contestants are encouraged to use sustainable decorations that are wildlife-friendly. Groups are encouraged to visit their tree often to keep it looking its best, especially after poor weather. If a heavy storm is expected, some preventive maintenance and preparation is advised. All decorations must be removed by January 8, 2024. Prizes will be donated by local merchants. Email downtownhopewell@gmail.com with any questions.
TASK Feeds Hope & Fights Hunger This Thanksgiving
For more than 40 years, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) has worked hard to ensure that people throughout the community have a Thanksgiving to be thankful for.
Months before the big day, and long before the leaves turn, TASK sets out along with countless people across the community to start coordinating Thanksgiving projects. From pie donations to fundraising events, the people of greater Mercer County area have been planning, shopping and donating in order to help those in need.
Some, like families from Pennington’s Toll Gate Grammar School, have made TASK a party of their annual Thanksgiving plans for decades. Each year, Toll Gate students and their families bake pies and orchestrate a food drive for TASK. It’s an annual school tradition that dates back to 1986! These young students also craft festive centerpieces for tables, as well as homemade cards for diners, all of which add a special touch to the Thanksgiving Day meal service at TASK.
TASK Chef Adam Livow and his “dream team” kitchen staff are already busy prepping TASK’s traditional Thanksgiving meal of freshly-roasted turkey with stuffing and gravy. The hearty and nourishing meal will be rounded out with delicious sides and treats, including tomato bisque soup, TASK’s signature salad bar, coffee and tea service and an assortment of pies. TASK expects to serve more than 500 people on Thanksgiving Day.
In addition, some 400 families across Trenton will receive “Thanksgiving at Home” baskets starting this week as part of TASK’s annual holiday program, which is funded by a generous donation from the Geltzer Family Foundation.
David and Leslee Geltzer, who have provided funding to the program since its inception in 2006, have helped serve Thanksgiving meals to more than 14,000 people through their support. “We are so pleased to help families in need enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings to celebrate at home,” the Geltzers say.
TASK staff and volunteers will once again partner with local Amazon EWR4 employees to hand-deliver packages containing the turkey and all the trimmings necessary to create a bountiful Thanksgiving meal.
Each “basket” includes a frozen turkey, gravy mix, stuffing, cornbread, veggies, macaroni and cheese, apple juice, pie and even a roasting pan — everything recipients need to enjoy a holiday meal in the comfort of their own home!
“At Amazon, we are committed to support the communities where our employees live and work,” says Brian Perez, Director of Operations at Amazon’s Robbinsville Fulfillment Center. “We’re thrilled to be able to support TASK and the great work they do for the Trenton community.”
TASK’s Thanksgiving meals are even more important today than ever before, as hunger surges to unprecedented levels nationwide. The U.S. Agriculture Department’s most recent report indicates that nearly 17 million households across the country are experiencing food insecurity, an increase of nearly 3.5 million households in just one year. The problem is even more acute in places like Trenton, where 27% of the population (and 37% of resident children) are living below the poverty line.
“Thanksgiving is an opportunity for people to connect with one another over a meal, something that TASK achieves every day in our dining room,” says TASK CEO Joyce Campbell. “It brings us so much joy to know that this Thanksgiving, with the support of our generous community, TASK can once again provide everyone we serve with the opportunity to enjoy the true spirit of the holiday.”
