August 14, 2017 - Basking Ridge Senior Center
I N F O & N E W S
September 2, 2016 - Hillsborough Senior Center
On Monday, August 29th, the New Jersey Young Artists Association visited the newly constructed Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater to present its artwork to the residing seniors in a 9 panel display. Artists who attended this event include: Jenny Huang, Annie Huang, Rebecca Zheng, Anushka Radadia, and event director Michael Shen. The seniors enjoyed the various pieces done in ink, gouache, watercolor, and oil, and many expressed surprise that the artists, despite their young ages, were so talented. A few seniors even started a game trying to guess the subject of a portrait of a famous actor in the display. It was a great experience for all in attendance. We can’t wait for next year’s visit.
Thank you CaPantzzi for sponsoring our event and giving us floppy hats! Thank you to Mrs. Grieco for having us!
On July 24th, the non-profit organization New Jersey Young Artists Association gathered at the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center in Basking Ridge, collaborating with director Kristin Grieco in order to display artwork in the spirit of inspiring seniors through creative expression.
Six Young Artists stood before their framed masterpieces in the warmly-lit room. The art exhibit was hosted by Rebecca Zheng, a rising eleventh grader, and Cathy Yang, a rising tenth grader. Other Young Artists included Shannon Lu, Grace He, Grace Wang, and Angela Wang.
The July exhibition lasted for an hour as intrigued seniors walked around to look at various pieces of art and chat with the artists, all high-schoolers, about the processes of translating artistic talent onto the canvas. Interactions between the artists and elders ranged from a question-and-answer session on watercolor techniques to discussions on the symbolism within a self-portrait, with both parties animatedly engaged in conversation.
Some elders began to reminisce about their own personal connection to art. “I think something like this could benefit both the young and the elderly,” explained Fran O’Brien, one of the seniors who had come in specifically to visit the exhibit. She later elaborated on how the Young Artists’ exhibit ignited a spark in her and brought back important past memories, stating, “I used to paint in my college and high school classes--and I’d just get carried away, lost in the art.” Another senior, Simone Wittmann, fondly recalled working in her own personal art studio in New York.
As the exhibit came to a close, many seniors came forward to give positive feedback on the artwork and thank the artists. In preparation for the conclusion of the exhibition, the artist association distributed hats, courtesy of their sponsor CaPantzzi, as gifts to the delighted seniors. Reflecting on the overall successful outcome of the July exhibit, Shannon Lu, one of the artists, remarked, “I think the senior citizens this time around were really open-minded. They asked a lot of questions and were genuinely interested in art.”
The July 24th exhibit event at the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center is one of the many events organized by the New Jersey Young Artists Association. The mission of the organization, started in 2014, is to enable artists to realize their full potential and contribute to the local community. Over the past year, NJYAA has brought art exhibitions to multiple senior centers and currently has plans to work with local hospitals.
After hours of planning and preparing, the New Jersey Young Artists Association visited the Montgomery Senior Center with over twenty pieces of artwork on December 29, 2014. The senior citizens were able to walk around and talk to each artist, sharing stories and discussing each painting or drawing. It was a great experience, especially during the holiday season. Artists featured include: Annie Huang, Jenny Huang, Joanna Li, Shannon Lu, Megan Luo Michael Shen, Cathy Yang, Rebecca Zheng, and Nicole Zhu. Thank you Ms. Crowley for having us!
December 29, 2014 - Montgomery Senior Center Visit
August 17, 2015 - Manville Senior Center
June 28th, 2018 - Paradise Adult Medical Daycare
June 29th, 2018 - Forever Young Adult Medical Daycare
On Wednesday, August 17, the New Jersey Young Artists Association visited the Manville Senior Center to present and speak about their artwork. Artists who attended this event include Shannon Lu, Rebecca Zheng, Cathy Yang, and Nicole Zhu. Seniors enjoyed walking around and observing the various different paintings and sketches in ink, gouache, watercolor, and oil. It was a great experience for all individuals who came. Thank you so much for having us, Manville!
August 14, 2019 - Bridgewater Senior Center
March 24, 2016 - Montgomery Senior Center
July 24, 2015 - Somerset Senior Wellness Center Event
On April 28, 2019, the 49th Communiversity ArtsFest was held in downtown Princeton, NJ. Communiversity annually features over 225 booths showcasing original art and contemporary crafts, unique merchandise, dedicated organizations, a wide variety of food, and six stages of continuous live entertainment. The New Jersey Young Artists Association was very proud to be a part of it. Our association had so much fun connecting with hundreds of people and other artistic and fun booths at Central New Jersey’s largest and longest running cultural event.
Increasing our visibility at such a great opportunity created lots of experience for our members and helped us complete our mission: Members will learn about art and develop valuable
leadership skills all while using their artistic abilities to give back to their community in a welcoming and creative environment. Our goals include establishing a group of passionate and determined young artists who want to improve their skills as well as help others.
Our Chairman, Jeff Zhou, spent tremendous time and effort behind the scenes to make sure this event to be succeeded. He also donated hundreds of beautiful CaPantzzi women's sun hats with decorative bands for the event to give to the public. Many kids came to sit down and draw with our members, and others came and talked with our members while receiving a high quality hat. We discussed our mission as a non-profit organization and received more than $550 that afternoon. Our members learned how to interact with other adults, children, and how to organize such events, all skills not learned in a typical learning environment, from this singular event. Special thanks to Evelyn Shiang (our former president who initiated, contacted organizer of ArtFest, obtained a free booth), Anushka Radadia (our president), Chris Shen (the coordinator of the event), and for setting up this event. Another special thanks to everyone else who participated in the making and execution of this event: Jonathan, Karen, Stephanie, Nicole, Emily, Meredith, Jennifer, Shirley, and myself. This event was a complete success!
Written by Alice Yang
On August 2nd, the members of NJYAA hosted an art event at the Hillsborough Senior Center. Being the second time NJYAA has hosted an event at the Hillsborough Senior Center, instead of hosting an art exhibition again, NJYAA members decided to create an collaborative hand painting with the seniors this time. Young artists and enthusiastic seniors together created the vibrant flower hand painting that will be on display on the walls of the senior center.
When the young artists from NJYAA visited Basking Ridge for the second time, they brought a new interactive activity. Together, the senior citizens and artists shared stories while painting their hands to create a "Tree of Life". The final creation is now hanging in the wellness center.
September 1, 2017 - Bridgewater Senior Center
'Spreading Smiles Through Art'
August 30, 2018 - Raritan Public Library
"Local Students Spread Holiday Cheer Through Art"
December 19, 2023 - Montgomery Senior Center
"Spreading Holiday Joy Through Art"
December 22, 2022 - Montgomery Senior Center
The New Jersey Young Artists Association (NJYAA) orchestrated a memorable event at the Montgomery Senior Center on December 19, 2023 by bringing holiday cards and gifts to senior citizens.
As seniors stopped by, they were greeted by local high school students Ethan Wang, Amy Lin, and Ally Cao as well as a table of vibrant cards, each hand drawn by students from Art Studio 23. They were also gifted with colorful CaPantzzi scarves, bags, and necklaces.
Ethan Wang, NJYAA’s Director of Community Events, introduced the holiday greeting card project to the organization in late 2022, and NJYAA hopes to continue bringing the event to the senior center as an annual tradition.
NJYAA extends heartfelt gratitude to the talented artists who lent their skills to make this event a success: Ethan Wang, Amy Lin, Ally Cao, Cherie Xu, Akanksha Radadia, Johanna Chen, Rebecca Zhang, Kalie Qin, Sophia Ji, and Neha Kulkarni.
The association also recognizes NJYAA Chairman, Mr. Jeff Zhou, for ensuring that the event unfolded seamlessly.
Finally, a special thanks to CaPantzzi for their generous sponsorship and Mrs. Crowley, the Senior Center Director, for welcoming NJYAA.
Written by Amy Lin.
Thanks to all the young artists who lent their talent and contributed to the success of this event: Akanksha Radadia, Ann Zhao, Chloe Sun, Emma Jia, Ethan Wang, Johanna Chen, Katherine Zhu, and Sophia Ji.
A special thank you to CaPantzzi for sponsoring the event and providing scarves and beanies, and a special thank you to Mrs. Crowley, the Senior Center Director, for having NJYAA!
Communiversity Artsfest
April 28, 2019 - Priceton downtown
“A Wish Upon 1000 Cranes: A Tribute for Racial Justice” is a project launched by NJYAA that aims to honor those who have suffered from racial injustice in the United States. The finished project is a sculpture of a willow tree with strings of cranes hanging from the branches.
In Japanese culture, the crane represents hope and healing during challenging times. Our local community collectively folded 1000+ origami cranes (senbazuru) to fulfill our wish of racial equality and help victims of racial injustice to heal. The willow tree, which was constructed from many individual wires twisted together, represents learning, growth, and harmony. The linked wires make the tree stronger and sturdier; likewise, we strengthen the connections within our community by unifying different racial and religious groups. At the base of this tree are large, aged rocks made of newspaper. The rocks symbolize how the racial justice movement is deep-rooted and not simply a contemporary issue, while the newspaper reinforces this idea as it is a physical embodiment of history. Through this component, we remind the audience of this movement's history and of all the people who have made sacrifices for it, not only the ones we are aware of today due to the media, but also those who have passed away quietly---without justice, with no press coverage and no social media exposure.
With this memorial project, we aspire to bring the community together and send a message of hope and healing to all during this time of immense social turmoil. However, we want to be clear that our message of “healing” does not mean forgetting or being complacent with the current situation. We believe that true healing will only come by first reaching a common understanding of the racial injustice in our society that has claimed the lives of countless victims, and then uniting together to fix the flaws in the system that has resulted in these normalized social wrongs. That is what this project is about---remembering the past in order to grow stronger and work together for a better future.
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NJYAA is holding an exhibition for "A Wish Upon 1000 Cranes: A Tribute for Racial Justice" throughout the month of October at the NJYAA gallery! Entry is free to the public.
Our story also made it to the Cranbury Press and the Montgomery News Feature (page 23). Sadaf Jaffer, mayor of Montgomery, also visited and absolutely loved it. Be sure to check it out!
Opening Dates and Times:
10/16-11/8
Fri 6-8pm
Sat 12-4pm
Sun 12-4pm
Location:
NJYAA Gallery (INDOOR EXHIBIT)
1143 Route 601, Suite B, Skillman, NJ 08558
Safety Protocols:
- We don't require pre-scheduling for visits, but our maximum number of people at one time is 5 to allow for ample social distancing.
- Masks are required at all times.
- Upon entry, you will be required to sanitize your hands (we will provide hand sanitizer).
What will be Displayed:
- Willow tree crane sculpture
- Crane board
- Artwork from NJYAA members
August 1, 2016 - Basking Ridge Senior Wellness Center
August 29, 2016 - Bridgewater Senior Wellness Center
October 2020 - A Wish Upon 1000 Cranes: A Tribute for Racial Justice
Written by Jordan Spector
On Thursday, August 30th, the New Jersey Young Artists Association (NJYAA) hosted an event at the Raritan Public Library. Members of this student led organization shared their creativity and artistic talent by encouraging young children to draw and paint.
At three o'clock excitement filled the air as children varying from ages four through ten settled into the building alongside their parents; they picked a seat and chose from a wide selection of their favorite cartoons to draw from. Talented and attentive members of the NJYAA taught the children along the way. As euphoria spread across the room, members alongside the attendees all experienced the magic of art and the joy of teaching it to others.
The children explored their inner-artist using different mediums such as water soluble pastels and graphite pencils and each child went home with their very own drawings. Additionally, everyone who attended left with wide smiles on their faces.
When asked to describe something about the event, member Chris Shen remarked that he “...had a lot of fun working with the kids and [is] happy that they learned a lot.” Event coordinator and junior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Alice Yang, agreed, stating she was “...glad the event was so successful and the kids were so engaged!”
Overall, the event was wonderfully memorable and the NJYAA looks forward to continuing to make a difference in people of all ages. This non-profit organization is proof that a large impact can be made without having to even leave your state and hopes to lead the way to a brighter, colorful, art-filled future.
On December 22, 2022, the New Jersey Young Artists Association (NJYAA) kicked off the holiday season at Montgomery Senior Center by hosting a greeting card event that brought Christmas gifts to senior citizens.
At 11AM, seniors gathered around a table and picked one hand-drawn greeting card, each created by the students of Art Studio 23, along with a pair of different colored CaPantzzi scarves and beanies, and a foldable bag.
Seniors came to talk with the students at the table, discussing NJYAA’s mission as a non-profit organization and how young artists at Art Studio 23 applied what they learned in class to give back to the community. Preparation for the event started in late-October when Ethan Wang, NJYAA’s Vice President of Financial Management, introduced the holiday greeting card project to the students at Art Studio 23. Students who participated in the project picked up blank greeting cards from the studio to decorate.
This was one of the many events organized by NJYAA. It was also the first event hosted at a senior center after the outbreak of pandemic, and it marked yet another milestone of returning to normal. The event on December 22 was hosted by NJYAA member Ethan Wang, a sophomore at Princeton Day School, Chloe Sun, a junior at Montgomery High School, and NJYAA Chairman Mr. Jeff Zhou, who spent a tremendous amount of time and effort behind the scenes to make this event possible.
The members of New Jersey Young Artists Association kicked off the summer by sharing their artistic skills with the community in two exciting interactive programs! Hosted by the president, Evelyn Shiang, the group of young artists visited Paradise Adult Medical Daycare on Thursday, June 28th and Forever Young Adult Medical Daycare on Friday, June 29th. At each facility, the members engaged the seniors with a quick lesson on watercolor landscapes and proceeded to give them one-on-one guidance as they created their own pieces. The seniors were very enthusiastic, and the NJYAA members were delighted to see many of them gain confidence through their art. The result was a beautiful collection of watercolor landscapes painted by the seniors. NJYAA had a great experience using their artistic skills to teach the seniors of Paradise and Forever Young - we can’t wait to visit again soon!