Scotch Plains Officials Join in Expressive Dance Art Exhibit

SCOTCH PLAINS – January 26, 2023 – Township officials joined in a January 24 Expressive Dance Art Exhibit, bringing awareness to mental health, addiction and disabilities.

The groundbreaking exhibit, Project BrOKen, is part of a three-part project. In addition to this Expressive Dance Art Exhibit, Project BrOKen will host a Live Performance and Resource Fair and school-based wellness programs using dance and theatrical arts.

The event, funded by a HEART Grant, featured local student artists, expressive dance art, dance performances by iDance Ministry depicting mental health and a mental health presentation by Lynette Sheard of the Mental Health Players.  The event took place at the Evalyn Dunn art gallery in Westfield.

The focus of this exhibit, coordinated by Mayor Josh Losardo's Wellness Campaign in partnership with María Daniel of iDance Ministry, promoted wellness and the power of creative arts to encourage hope, healing and recovery.

“The art displayed was mesmerizing, multi-layered and inspiring,” Losardo said, noting student artists shared their struggles and their journeys to recovery.

“Equally powerful was the `Tree of Hope’ canvas, in which guests were asked to contribute their own art using pointillism (dot art),” the mayor said. “Just like pointillism, while we are unique individuals, we are more powerful when the community collectively uses resources and talents to promote wellness.”

Deputy Mayor Ellen Zimmerman was also in attendance, noting such a positive event was the ideal use of a HEART grant.  “This project brings something good to the world and to our community right here in Scotch Plains.”

Special thanks to the dance artists at iDance Ministry: Angelo Campbell, Aliyah Daniel, Ananda Daniel, María Daniel, Valdon Daniel, III, Lauriane Nabet, Tomislav Nevistic and Eva Soldatos.

The HEART Grant Program was created to encourage a thriving environment for the arts and cultural activities. This program serves as a catalyst to strengthen Union County’s non-profit organizations, artists and scholars, enhancing their capacity to provide innovative projects relating to history, the arts and humanities, developing Union County as a center for innovation and excellence in arts and culture.