By Kevin Coughlin
Two totems have been commissioned for the Early Street Community Garden. What they depict is up to you.
Meet sculptor Gabriele Hiltl-Cohen and share your ideas on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at the Morristown Neighborhood House, at 6 pm.
Morris Arts received a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for Our Heritage is Our Future, The Gateway Totem Project.
This project will be part of a small park planned by Grow It Green Morristown for a $200,000 expansion of the garden that also will double the number of plots, while adding a walking path, a demonstration rain garden, a pavilion, and a composting toilet underwritten by craigslist founder Craig Newmark.
Two stone pillars are intended to reflect and honor immigrants–from Irish and Italian to African American and Latino–who have defined the Early Street neighborhood over the last century.
“Morristown has always felt like two divided towns,” stated the Morris Arts proposal to the NEA.
“Although there have been many dedicated organizations and individuals working to bridge the gap, it is not until now that the partners have the synergy, experience and opportunity to bring about a much needed and positive change in Morristown.
“We anticipate that the hundreds of teens who walk to the high school; older adults from the senior housing development next door; and residents from the new apartments under construction across the street, will benefit from this new public art on a regular basis,” the narrative asserts.
Light refreshments will be served Tuesday, at 12 Flagler St. Organizers ask prospective participants to RSVP here.
