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Arts & Entertainment

Farmstead Arts Center Prepares for Busier 2012

Newly awarded grants will allow the center to make improvements to its facilities and programs in 2012.

Thecenter wrapped up a successful 2011 season this month with a standing room only capacity crowd that came to hear HarpAntics Harp Ensemble — six harps performing in a holiday concert led by Odarka Stockart.

It was a fitting conclusion to a fabulous season for the Farmstead Arts, with was programming was made possible by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and other sources. And it's barely been more than a year sinceon a piece of property at 650 King George Road that had been earlier acquired by the township. At that point, the many volunteers were still brainstorming about the many activities that actually came to fruition this past year.

And 2011 has been a fortuitous year in that the center also received three key grants that will aid its programming and facilities in 2012 and beyond.

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The first grant was $173,000 from the state Historic Commission that will be used for renovation of the barn on the facility. The second grant, from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission for $118,000, will be used to finish off the main farmhouse, make other improvements on the property's outbuildings and also raise a beam in the barn, said Ann Rosenblum, president of the Board of Trustees for the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead.

At this point, the 18th century farmhouse is the primary venue for art shows, concerts and other events and arts workshops. The barn is envisioned as a place to expand some of those activities, and to further the performing arts at the location.

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Another grant, in the amount of $7,000, from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts through the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, will contribute to the general operating budget and program funding.

“What’s big and exciting is that we will be putting to use all of the grant money that we received this year ,” said trustee Carolyn Kelly. “We have a team of trustees and others to work on the facilities. They will get to work on the construction and we can fit our programming in between days in which they are working on the building.”

The center will have the Garden State Preservation Trust to refurbish the inside of the English Barn. Once completed, the barn will be used a performing arts space, for large art installation, small weddings and other events, and many other uses, say the volunteers involved with running the center.

Other grants received in 2011 included a Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission for arts programming during History Weekend, a Bonafides of Somerset Hills grant for exterior lighting at the Farmstead, a grant from Rotary Club of Bernardsville for the sign on King George Road and general operating support and a grant from the Historical Society of Somerset Hills for general operating support.

“January and February is when we begin doing housework and some repairs inside the house,” Kelly said.

During 2012, those involved with the Farmstead Arts are looking forward to finishing the work that needs to be done, Rosenblum said. That work may require some rescheduling of programs, she said.

The Farmstead will kick off the 2012 season with a classical guitar concert. “We call it our first Sunday Concert Series which will run concurrent with an art show and sale,” Kelly said.

On the art side of the house, the Farmstead this year began renting studios to artists, musicians and writers, as well as holding events such as changing exhibits in a variety of styles and medium.

Kelly said that in the coming year the center hopes to find occupants for two studios that remain available for lease.

Those interested in leasing the studios should call the Farmstead at at 1-347-927-8748. 

Farmstead Arts 2011-2012 Upcoming Events

Sunday Concert Series

March 2012, Classical Guitar 

April  2012, Marimba 

May 2012, Children’s Concert 

June 2012,  Blues concert 

September 2012, Great American Songbook/Jazz 

October 2012, Halloween Concert

November 4, 2012,  Gilbert and Sullivan 

December 2, 2012,  Baroque Cello 

All concerts in The Farmhouse at 2 PM, light refreshments served.  Check farmsteadartscenter.org for dates

and details. RSVP to Farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com

 

Gallery Exhibits and Sales

March 3 – April 22, 2012, Artist’s Solo Exhibit and Sale

May 5 – 6, 2012, Wee Little Arts Exhibit 

May 12 – June 23, 2012,  Contemporary Art: Works By Siclare, Lam, Ficker and Verdun

July 7 - August 12, 2012, Textile Arts Exhibit and Sale 

Sep. 15 – Oct. 21, 2012, Artists’ IN Studio - ARTsee Tour

Nov. 3 – Dec. 15, 2012, Member Exhibit and Boutique with Holiday Gifts

Children’s Programming

By Appointment Weaving Connections with SAORI weaver and teaching artist Michelle Marigliano; call 732-801-9577 for more information

On-going Wee Little Arts classes 

May 6, 2012 Children’s Concert 

Summer Arts Camps, story telling, and more! 

Schedule is subject to change. Check for calendar updates on website at www.farmsteadartscenter.org

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