2011 News Releases

Open Six Days

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Janet Peterson, Marketing and Public Relations Director
TEL: (856) 825-6800, Ext. 108 | FAX: (856) 825-2410
E-MAIL: jpeterson@wheatonarts.org

MILLVILLE, NJ –WheatonArts will resume its six-day operating schedule on April 1. The arts organization will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through December 31.

WheatonArts is home to the Museum of American Glass, the Creative Glass Center of America International Fellowship Program, a hot glass studio, several traditional craft studios and award winning museum stores. In addition to daily glass blowing and craft demonstrations, WheatonArts features special exhibitions, programs, workshops, performances and several weekend festivals throughout the year.

WheatonArts has partnered with Museums on Us®, a customer-benefit program offering Bank of America customers free admission on the first full weekend (consecutive Saturday and Sunday) of every month in 2011. WheatonArts will offer one free general admission to Bank of America cardholders (must present card at the gate) beginning in April and continuing through December. (Offer does not cover guests.)

New “Monthly Specials” have been added to the “Make Your Own” experience (paperweights and vessels) in the Glass Studio. They are: April – Egg Paperweights; May – Heart Paperweights; June – Pint Glasses; July and August – Beads; September – Apple Paperweights; October – Pumpkins; and November and December – Ornaments. Participants must be 16 years of age or older. Call 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, extension 139, to schedule an appointment or to purchase a gift certificate for the experience.    

Upcoming Exhibitions:

 ■ April 1 - “Paul J. Stankard 50th Anniversary” in The Gallery of Fine Craft. This special exhibit celebrates Paul J. Stankard’s 50 year journey as a glass artist. Works will include Paul’s newest orbs series, “Flowers, Fruit and Nuts,” in which viewers will find honeybees hovering over ripe fruit, lush leaves and blossoming flowers. The exhibit will also feature a variety of Paul’s early works spanning several decades of his career, providing a rare opportunity for the public to purchase a piece from Paul’s personal collection of one-of-a-kind experimental works.

■ May 3 - October 16: “Cycles and Symbols: Nature In Glass” in the Museum of American Glass. The exhibit features contemporary artists working with glass using nature as a source for their work and an inspiration for ideas they explore in relation to memory, time, transition, place, identity, origins of life, beauty, fragility, strength, and protection.

■ May 21 – July 4: “Vision: Creative Glass Center Alumni Biennial” in The Gallery of Fine Craft. A juried and invitational exhibition of works by past CGCA fellowship recipients featuring comments from the artists on their current work and their "Vision" for their future series of work.

■ June 1 - October 3: “Japanese Ceremonial Dolls” in the Down Jersey Folklife Center. The meanings and aesthetics of this extensive collection of ceremonial dolls are related to the Hinamatsuri and Tango no Sekku festival traditions in Japan and to the present-day practices of the South Jersey Japanese-American community.

Upcoming Programs and Events:

■ April 3 – Paul Stankard Demonstration. Glass Studio at 1 p.m. Included in the price of admission to WheatonArts.

■ April 3 – Opening Reception for “Paul J. Stankard 50th Anniversary” exhibit in The Gallery of Fine Craft at 2:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

■ April 9 – Spring Celebration. “In Plein Air” with artist Meed Barnett from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special artist talk at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. “Mystery Discount” (20 to 50% off one item) offered in the Museum Stores. Victorian Handcooler paperweights reduced from $22.50 to $18.00 each. Peep dipping in the General Store and Paper Basket Making in the Brownstone Emporium.

■ April 16 – Haitian artist, Kesler Pierre, and WheatonArts Associate Artist, J. Kenneth Leap. Old Traditions Reconsidered: Painting On Glass. Displays, artist demonstrations and presentations in the Folklife/Education Center at 10 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

■ May 7 – Eco-Fair. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A Free “Community Open House” produced in partnership with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority. Visitors will learn how to protect the environment and practice eco friendly living. Dozens of environmentally minded vendors and community organizations will be on site. The day also features “eco-friendly” Glass Studio demonstrations, hands-on crafts for children, exhibits, nursery stock, herbs, flowers, entertainment, food and refreshments.

WheatonArts is offering a wide variety of multi-session classes, workshops and weekend intensives beginning April 4. Advanced registration is required. Walk-ins are welcome only if the class is not full. To register, call 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, extension 100, or e-mail Beverly Narbut, Office Manager, at bnarbut@wheatonarts.org. Visit the WheatonArts website at www.wheatonarts.org for descriptions and fees about all of the classes and workshops offered from April through August.

April Multi-Session Classes, Workshops and Intensives:

■ Yoga. April 4 – May 9. 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Ages 18 and above.

■ Flameworking: Glass Beads. April 21 – May 12. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ages: 16 and above.

■ Fusing and Slumping. April 20 – May 18. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ages 16 and above.

■ GlassBlowing I. April 20 – May 18. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ages 16 and above.

■ GlassBlowing II. April 22 – May 20. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ages 16 and above.

■ Ceramic Art: Handbuilding. April 30. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 16 and above.

■ Silk Painting. April 30. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 14 and above.

WheatonArts is open July 4, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $10.00, $9.00 Senior Adults and $7.00 Students. Children five and under are free. Free to shop and stroll except during outdoor special events. For more information about WheatonArts, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.  

WheatonArts strives to make exhibits, events and programs accessible to all visitors. Provide two weeks notice to accommodate needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State. Additional funding provided through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

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