A Place of Paramount Peace in Robbinsville, NJ
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

A Place of Paramount Peace in Robbinsville, NJ

 

By  Dr. Tammy Duffy

 

 

 

 

Religious architecture represents sacred space amid this profane world and has always played a pivotal role in the history of mankind. 

 

There is a new architectural spiritual wonder that has been constructed on the site of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ.  The construction began in early 2010. The Mandir was the second phase of the Hindu American Religious Center construction and was completed early in the overall project to facilitate a leveled growth of the center. In looking at the construction specifics, chiseled Italian carrana marble was used to build the 12,000 sq. ft. Mandir. Carrara marble has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. The marble is shipped from Italy to India where it is then carved by master sculptures. All of the exquisite work you see in the Mandir is done with a chisel and hammer. Despite heavy snowfall during the winter months, the mandir was completed in August of 2014.. A consecration ceremony was held on August 10th, 2014 in the presence of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, senior swamis from India and devotees from across the world. During his visit His Holiness gave input on some of the design at the Mandir. There will be alterations made to accommodate his requests. (i.e. marble mosaics vs. paintings on the walls and the entrance changed to cover the bare internal walls that surround the mandir allowing people to visit 365 days a year.

 

Initially, after taking off your shoes and walking up the white marble staircase to enter the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, you may notice the floor is a little dusty.  There are artists working behind a barricade adding to the temples splendor.

 

Once you enter, though, it's nearly impossible to look down as you take in how much detail is carved into every inch of the temple's Italian white marble surface. The scene is overwhelming. Each piece of iconography is different  yet there is a precision to the symmetry of the designs.  It is quite stunning as well that this is all done by volunteers.   The devotion is overwhelming.

 

 

As soon as you walk in, what hits you the first time is the aesthetic appeal, the beauty. The positive energy is electric. The Robbinsville mandir, or Hindu house of worship, is one of only six traditional stone mandirs that exist in North America. The one in Robbinsville is the only one carved completely of marble.

 

The temple sits inside of a larger building to protect its surface from New Jersey's harsh winter weather. That shield could help it last more than 1,500 years.  Pieces of the structure were hand-carved by 2,000 artisans in India and shipped over individually, where they were assembled in layers. The entire process, from the choice of stone to the completion of construction, has taken about five years.

 

Some of the most detailed carvings in the temple's surface feature peacocks and elephants which represent purity and strength and the lotus flower, which represents purity for its ability to grow in water yet manage to stay dry.

 

Several LED lights embedded into the floor accent the stone structures brilliantly, and provide depth to the carvings. The creators of the temple will be working with Yves Pepin on the expansion that is planned. Yves Pépin has built a worldwide reputation as one of the most innovative designers and one of the most successful artistic directors of ground-breaking entertainments.

Pepin was Artistic Adviser for the worldwide acclaimed Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Ceremonies where he did all the water and laser shows.  Also, he produced the worldwide applauded pyrotechnic show on the Eiffel Tower for the Year 2000 handover.

Yves Pépin invented and developed, in the late 1980s, the film projection on waterscreen technology, adopted since then by several theme park operators including Disney, Universal Studios and others.

 

 

 

When architects come here to view it, they are marveled by what they see . They have difficulty understanding not only at the beauty of the design, but at how the entire structure is able to stay standing and support itself because it's so heavy.

 

Roughly 40,000 practicing Hindus live in the Central and South Jersey area, with several hundred thousand more in the tri-state area..  Although there are other mandirs in the area, the growing size of the congregation was enough to support construction of a traditional stone temple, one that can host special rituals.

 

An assembly hall adjoining the mandir structure will host weekly rituals. Plans to build a second, larger limestone mandir are already in place with completion expected in about 10 years. The entire complex sits on about 140 acres of land.

 

In speaking with Anil Patel, Public Relations Director at the Temple, he said, “They want to see that tradition is kept alive, I think, to me that's just most impressive and precious," said Patel.  

 

His Holiness, Pramukh Sami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, has inspired millions of people across the world t o lead a more moral life.   The 92-year-old Guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj of India, one of the most respected spiritual leaders in the Hindu religion. He was here for the ceremonial placing of the first piece of marble as well.  He is their leader.

 

The 5th, and last phase of the project, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Mahamandir is expected to be completed within the next 5-7 years. The foundation for the Mandir is complete, and the stone carving has begun in India. Phase 4, the Visitor's Center, will also house a small exhibition on Indian history and culture. Countless volunteer hours have gone in the design and planning for this project. The devotees have truly upheld their Guru’s vision and woven it into their mission. This is going to be a massive place when its finished. A beautiful spectacle for all to see.

 

In order to fully admire the Mandir’s beauty and grandeur,one must understand how the Mandir was made. The Mandir, built in the Nagaradi style, stands 42 feet tall, 133 feet long and 87 feet wide and is made entirely of Italian Carrara marble (68,000 cubic feet); only the third Mandir of its kind. The beautiful carvings seen around the Mandir are not only aesthetically appealing, but are also meaningful in many ways. For example, 98 pillars depict the lives of the great paramhansas (spiritual aspirants) and devotees of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Their inspiring stories, as well as Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s key messages are incorporated throughout the Mandir.

 

In Sanskrit, Mandir means a place where the mind becomes still and experiences inner peace. In the Mandir, time stands still.  I attended one of the daily Arti during my visit. Arti is a Hindu form of worship using lamps to illuminate the murtis of God, an expression of ones complete and unwavering love towards God.  The tradition dates back thousands of years to the ancient mandirs of India. Having been raced Irish catholic, I found this ceremony particularly moving.  The positive energy overcomes your entire body as you enter into the mandir. As the collection basket was passed one blessed themselves over a candle before placing money into the offering basket. I saw one woman have the ability to get change for a large bill prior to her offering. This would never happen in a catholic church, they would take your money, without blessing.

 

 

The shrine is the sacred centre of the mandir. It houses the temple deities and is usually situated at one end of the main hall. To the side or close by is a room in which the priests prepare for worship according to a fixed daily schedule. Often only the priests, freshly bathed and wearing clean clothes, are allowed to enter these sacred areas.

 

To begin with, each temple is dedicated to a particular god ,although representations of other gods are allowed. In fact, mandir actually means"dwelling." At the heart of the temple rests a shrine to the chosen deity. These shrines contain an image usually a statue or painting of the god. Each morning the priest adorns the shrine, surrounding the image with fresh flowers, fruit, incense, candles, lamps, and other decorations.

 

Hindus believe that although an image cannot contain God, deeper understanding can be achieved by meditating on a representation of Krishna, Vishnu, Brahma, or other deities. It is in this spirit that Hindus perform puja, daily worship. Temple pujas are performed at dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight. Participants take an active role in their worship, beginning with darshan, which simply means "to focus upon a deity." Next, the devotee makes a food offering. The priest blesses the prasad, or food, which is then consumed by the worshipper. It is also common for the priest to burn some of the gift and smear the consecrated ashes on the giver's forehead. Finally, some temples have room for followers to circle the shrine in a clockwise motion, another popular form of worship.

 

Traditionally, the outside walls of a mandir are decorated with sculptured representations of an array of mythic and worldly happenings. In fact, some older temples are literally carved out of rocks and caves. Some of these sculptures are magnificent, intricate works of art. Other temples are simple, unadorned buildings. Some rise into spires, or towers, symbolizing the meeting of the celestial and earthly. The entrance, usually facing east, welcomes the guest into a pillared hallway, an assembly hall, or both. These lead to the shrine room, the heart of the structure. Many temples also contain bathing tanks where devotees cleanse themselves.

 

Unlike the members of many other religions, Hindus may maintain their spiritual devotion without visiting their house of worship. As you will see, many worship their chosen deity at their family shrine. Still, the mandir serves an essential role in the spiritual life of a Hindu. It is a place where the world is left behind for awhile, a place of ritual, devotion, and cleansing.

 

 

Mandir means "abiding place" or dwelling." It is the home of the god worshipped there. The main services at a mandir are at sunrise and sunset.

 

Since Vedic times, India's sages have been enlightened with profound spiritual truths that served as basis of their rituals, philosophies, scientific discoveries and religious faith. As an expression of their spiritual faith, the yogis evolved and created beautiful Mandirs to uphold these traditions. In a similar token, this Mandir aims to serve as a place of understanding and appreciation of India art, culture and religion for generations to come. It will stand as a sanctuary for countless men and women, who will be able to sustain their culture and heritage in the form of arts, language, music, and spiritual learning. The Mandir will provide a platform to encourage the act of giving back to our communities through various charitable efforts like Walkathons, Health Fairs, Blood Drives, flu shots, cultural programs for children, celebration dates of Hindu festivals, music and tabla classes for children, Gujarati classes for children, spiritual classes for all age groups.

 

The process behind building a magnificent Mandir such as this one is multifaceted. The stone marble was quarried in Europe and sent to India through sea cargos. Once the marble reached India, it was trucked to Rajasthan where hundreds of talented artisans would begin the work of hand carving the stones. All the pieces were first assembled at the workshops in India to ensure that they fit appropriately and accurately and were subsequently numbered, using a system developed by the onsite engineers. The pieces were then disassembled, packed with care and shipped to America, where the pieces were organized to begin the process of assembling the Mandir. From Europe to USA, each stone travelled a distance of 21,500 miles.

 

Encasing the Mandir is a beautiful Mandap made of Bulgarian Limestone standing 55 feet tall and 135 feet wide. The Mayur Dwar, or main gate, of the Mandap is adorned with 236 carved peacocks, and various other carved elephants, devotees and paramhansas. The Mandap allows for the Mandir to be enjoyed year round, and shielded from the elements, it will ensure that the Mandir will maintain its beauty for generations to come.When looking at it from this perspective, you can certainly gauge the complex process that was required to build such a grand scale Mandir. However, the efforts that are not seen to the naked eye were equally important while making this mandir. This Mandir, like all other BAPS Mandirs, is the epitome of volunteerism and serves as a symbol to show the value of sacrificing one’s time and efforts towards bettering the community. Volunteers of all ages have devoted their time and resources from the beginning: assisting in the construction work, cleaning up around the site, preparing food for all the artisans on a daily basis and helping with other tasks. A total of 4.7 million man hours were required by craftsman and volunteers to complete the Mandir. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj has continuously inspired everyone to dedicate their best efforts towards completing this Mandir that would serve as a platform for cultivating Hindu values and serving the community in many ways.

 

There are many structural details to the Mandir. There are 40 small Fasnakar style shikhars (spires),2 large and 8 small ghummats (domes),98 sthambhas (carved pillars),66 intricately carved peacock style arches,144 carved sacred figures,58 decorative ceiling designs,34 decorative grills,91 elephants with various musical instruments and flowers

44 Ganesh Murtis portrayed offering devotion to Bhagwan,and 13,499 individual carved stone pieces.

 

 

BPAS has been serving around the world for the past 40 years.  After visiting the temple you can visit the gift shop that is filled with an array of prayer and gift items, incense, CD’s, DVD’s and spiritual books. I purchased a wonderful incense for just $2.00 and a wonderful spiritual book for just fifty cents.

 

There is also a wonderful Shayona, that upon entering it you can smell all the wonderful spices that are part of tradition in the culture.  One has the ability to purchase the freshest ingredients and savory foods and sweets, indicative of the culture.

 

I also found it quite mind boggling that there were surrounding townships that refused to allow this amazing wonder of the world to be built. I am confident when those very political figures and directors of economic development of those towns will soon see the positive economic impact this will have. They no doubt will regret those unfortunate and uneducated decisions.

 

I highly recommend you visit this temple, no matter what your religious beliefs are. Everyone is welcomed and made to feel welcomed at the temple. The zen feeling that overcomes you upon entering enough to make you want to make a return trip the next day. When you are in the temple you are removed from the outside world and all its negative energy. I truly beautiful place to frequent.  The Temple is located at 112 North Main Street, Robbinsville, NJ 08561.

Trenton's Renaissance
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

https://www.createspace.com/5215216

Please copy this link above to purchase DUFFY's new book on Trenton's Renaissance. This book focuses on the current economic development occurring in Trenton, New Jersey as it relates to the arts. 

Three Generations of Tapestry Artists Featured in HAM Exhibition
Topic: ART NEWS

Three Generations of Tapestry Artists Featured in HAM Exhibition

Tapestries might conjure up images of medieval castles, unicorns and other mythical beasts, but a new exhibition at the Hunterdon Art Museum weaves a fascinating picture of how the art form has evolved in the past 70 years.

Contemporary International Tapestry highlights the work of three generations of artists from nine countries who are elevating tapestry to a whole new level of technical and aesthetic excellence. The exhibition opens Jan. 11, 2015, with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. featuring talks from artists from around the world. Everyone is welcome to attend.

“At the Museum, visitors can appreciate in intimate settings all aspects of the broad scope of today’s tapestries and the individuality of their makers,” said Carol K. Russell, curator for the exhibition and a leading expert in the field. “There is no sameness of imagery; no stiffness of the noble class; no disconnect from present-day life and concerns.  People, animals, symbols, abstractions – and even new ways of visualizing a familiar thought or theme – are brought to life in the hands of artists from various cultures and countries. “

The exhibition featuring 39 artists will fill three of the four Museum galleries, includes loom work by some of the most renowned artists working today, among them:

·         Archie Brennan, a leading international figure in tapestry for more than 25 years.  Brennan joined his fellow artisans in 1948, as an apprentice, and has served as director of the prestigious and award-winning Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh.

·    Joan Baxter is inspired by the rich cultural heritage and wild beauty of the highlands of Scotland where she resides. “I choose to work in the traditional woven tapestry medium because I like the way my initial ideas can develop and expand during the slow and deliberate making process,” Baxter notes. “The process, although a very ancient one, allows me to push boundaries in design, technique, materials and concepts.”

·    Designer Yael Lurie and tapestry weaver Jean Pierre Larochette have collaborated on work for more than four decades and across three continents.  Lurie, daughter of a painter, was brought up in a kibbutz in Israel and trained as a painter. Larochette, born in Argentina, is descended from a long line of French Aubusson weavers. The two met through the patronage of Jean Lurcat, the Frenchman widely credited for reviving tapestry in 20^th-century France. “The history of tapestry in the U.S. in the latter part of the 20^th century owes much of its success, direction and development to Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie” according to Susan Martin Maffei, another internationally known tapestry artist whose grand-scale tapestry appears in HAM’s exhibition.

·    Polish artist Włodzimierz Cygan has always been on the cutting edge of tapestry and textile architecture and continues to reinvent his medium and his messages. Such talent has been rewarded with the Bronze Medal at the sixth International Fiber Art Biennial from Lausanne to Beijing and Zhengzhou, China. His tapestry, Orbitrek 29, earned the Grand Prix at the 12th International Triennial of Tapestry in Lodz, Poland.

“We hope visitors will take away a new perspective on an ancient art form,” Russell writes. “Tapestry can and shall endure through the centuries, though its messages have become more personal. The art form has indeed evolved and become its truest self in the hands of individuals.”

Other artists featured in the exhibition are: Jo Barker, Helga Berry, Rebecca Bluestone,  Elizabeth J. Buckley, Soyoo Hyunjoo Park Caltabiano, Alla Davydova, Annelise De Coursin, Susan Edmunds, Alex Friedman, Ina Golub, Barbara Heller, Susan Hart Henegar, Silvia Heyden, Dirk Holger, Peter Horn, Constance Hunt, Susan Iverson, Ruth Jones, Aino Kajaniemi, Jane Kidd, Lialia Kuchma, Christine Laffer, Ewa Latkowska-Żychska, Bojana H. Leznicki, Lore Lindenfel, Susan Martin Maffei,  Julia Mitchell, Janet Moore, Jon Eric Riis, Ramona Sakiestewa, Micala Sidore, Elinor Steele, Sarah Swett and Linda Wallace.

To commemorate and celebrate this exhibition, Russell has written a new book, Contemporary International Tapestry, to be released by Schiffer Publishing early next year featuring images and information about the artists included in the exhibition.

The exhibition closes May 10, 2015.

The Museum also plans several programs related to the exhibition:

·         Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at 2 p.m. – Weaving Demonstration and Guided Tour with curator Carol K. Russell. Free with admission. Registration is required as space is limited.

·         Sunday, March 22, 2015, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  – A Day of Contemporary Tapestry featuring lectures with artists Archie Brennan and Susan Martin Maffei as well as an interactive demonstration with Brennan.

·         Sunday, April 19, 2015, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Handweaving Tapestries with Carol K. Russell for children ages 6 and up.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC

The Museum is at 7 Lower Center St. in Clinton, New Jersey, 08809. Our website is www.hunterdonartmuseum.org and our telephone number is 908-735-8415. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm and suggested admission is $5.

 

Brilliant Brunch
Topic: ART NEWS

 

During the holidays we all have our traditions we participate in. We go to visit family, friends and attend a multitude of other holiday affairs.

This year brought a very special treat. One of my significantly talented friends, Mark Kostabi held a brunch at his new home in NYC. The invitation stated there would also be a concert. 

 

Mark Kostabi rose up in the NY art scene in the 1980's along with Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquait and others. Kostabi is not just a painter but is also a musician. Rita Kostabi, his mother, taught him how to play the piano. He has released several CD's of his music and has collaborated with the likes of Ornette Coleman, Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin, Tony Esposito, Kristjan Jarvi, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and many others.

During the 80's Baird Jones, another dear friend of mine, wrote art criticism for all the downtown papers.   Baird's genius in writing educated the public about the forces that focused on the Lower Eastside's unexpected burst into art world prominence. He was one of the people who discovered Mark. It was Jone's father, who was the editor of Time and one of the founders of People magazine, who told Baird to go and check out the graffiti scene in the Bronx and downtown area as well. He did just that, fearlessly and became one of  "the" art curators in NYC. 

In the 1980's, there was a lot of creative genius that came onto the art and music scenes. The talent was fearless. Baird Jones, Mark Kostabi, Warhol, Cyndi Lauper, Annie Lennox and Suzanne Vega were some of the most noted fearless artists who came onto the world scene. The art and music world were changed forever by many, but these people stand out for me. The female musicians in particular were and still are fearless and amazingly talented.  

Yesterday, at a holiday brunch hosted by Mark Kostabi we all got quite the treat. He serenaded the audience with his music. One surprise guest, Suzanne Vega, serenaded us with her disarmingly powerful a cappella of Tom's Diner. 

There are three women that stand out for me from the 1980's. They would include, Cyndi Lauper, Annie Lennox, and Suzanne Vega. These women are all amazing songwriters and their contributions to music massive.

Suzanne Vega rose to fame in the 1980's as a leading figure with hits like Luka and Tom’s Diner. Her distinctive, clear vibrato-less voice is mesmerizing. To hear her sing 10 feet from me in the classic way, the a capella version of Tom's Diner, was epic and a true holiday treat.  As I left the concert, Suzanne was sitting in front of me. I whispered into her ear,"Thank you for your singing today, it was lovely." 

 Here is a link to the epic surprise concert yesterday by Suzanne Vega. 

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/f34nf9cr4gh7v54/20141221_124259.mp4?dl=0

The Lightening Thief
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

Hero Percy Jackson Takes on Greeks Gods in “The Lightning Thief” at MCCC’s

 

 

 

Young Percy Jackson is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime as he tries to set things right in the mythological world of the Greek gods.  Young audiences will thrill to the new musical adaptation of “The Lightning Thief,” to be presented by Theatreworks USA at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2 and 4 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Adapted from the book by Rick Riordan, "The Lightning Thief" stars Percy Jackson, a young man whose irrepressible spirit and newly discovered powers have gotten him into hot water at his boarding school...again. But that’s the least of Percy’s troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and Greek gods seem to be walking straight out of his textbook and into his life.  Zeus’s master lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is the chief suspect. He has just ten days to find and return Zeus’s stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus.

Recommended for ages 8 and up, the show has earned glowing reviews.  “The Lightning Thief is an action-packed musical with heroic battles and mythological beasties,” wrote Elizabeth Vincentelli of the New York Post.  “Everyone enjoyed the loud, funny, fast-paced, wonderfully imaginative musical.  This show is a true family-pleaser,” wrote Theatermania’s Pete Hempstead.

Based in New York City, Theatreworks USA is America's largest and most prolific professional not-for-profit theater company for youth and family audiences.  Since 1961, the company has enlightened, entertained and instructed more than 90 million people in 49 states and Canada.  It is the only children's theatre to receive both a Drama Desk and a Lucille Lortel Award.

Tickets are $10 for children and seniors, and $12 for adults. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 609-570-3333.  Free parking is available next to the theatre.  Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request.  For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

New Portraiture Exhibition "The Bigger Picture"
Topic: ART NEWS

Arts Council of Princeton presents

New Portraiture Exhibition "The Bigger Picture"

 

 

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) presents its newest exhibition, "The Bigger Picture," a collection of distinctive portraits curated by Maria Evans. Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 3-5pm. The artists featured in "The Bigger Picture" are: Mary DeWitt, Elise Dodeles, James Doherty, and Kim Alsbrooks. "The Bigger Picture" will be on view in the Taplin Gallery from January 17 - March 14, 2015 at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ. Parking is available in the Spring and Hulfish Street garages as well as at metered parking along Witherspoon Street and Paul Robeson Place. To learn more, call (609) 924-8777 or visit www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.

A Gallery Talk with participating artists Mary DeWitt and Kim Alsbrooks is scheduled forSaturday, February 7 at 1pm. A second Gallery Talk with participating artists James Dohertyand Elise Dodeles is scheduled for Saturday, February 28 at 1pm. Both of these free Gallery Talks will take place in the Taplin Gallery at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts.

 

Each of the four portraiture artists in "The Bigger Picture" collection approaches his or her subject in an unconventional fashion. All of these artists' subjects easily invite the viewer to ponder the much bigger picture that lies just below the surface.

 

By depicting her portraiture on pieces of trash, Philadelphia artist Kim Alsbrooks challenges the "American mythology" and widely accepted ideals surrounding wealth and affluence. Her original series, "White Trash," included Civil War scenes, garden landscapes, fine houses and their interiors, and miniature portraits. Alsbrooks then began painting portraits of her own family members, calling the collection "White Trash Family," and soon went on to depict other privileged, wealthy families or the politically elite. Alsbrooks finds the beer and soda cans after they've been flattened in the street. She has tried to flatten them herself, but finds the trash is only "perfect" and wrinkle-free when she finds it already flattened. Cans must be found so that there are no wrinkles in the center area and so that the graphic can be well-placed to compliment the portrait. Portraits are chosen specifically for each piece of trash.

Since the late 1980's, Philadelphia artist Mary DeWitt has painted the portraits and recorded the thoughts of a select group of incarcerated women serving life sentences. Recently, she began to document the development of each portrait by taking still photographs of the work as it develops. She then adds the voice of the subject with narrative to create a video. Most of her portraits are of women sentenced to life without parole in Pennsylvania. Together these videos document the radical change in prisons from the 1970's to today. The portraits can be viewed accompanied by audio or video at http://www.marydewitt.net/MaryDeWitt/

Audio_and_Video.html.

 

Elise Dodeles, an artist based in Lambertville, NJ, received a 2013 Artist's Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and is included in an international survey of women artists published by Rizzoli. Dodeles uses such a large quantity of paint in her application that her surface resembles a painter's palette, built up with years of layers dried over time. She has shown her art in New York, Canada, and Europe. Exhibitions have included a solo show as part of the New Jersey Artist series at Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters and the prestigious Aljira National Five. In 2011 she was selected by juror Zoe Strauss for a solo exhibition at the William Way Community Center in Philadelphia. Raised in New York, she did her undergraduate work at Carnegie-Mellon and New York Universities, and obtained her Masters in Fine Art from the New York Academy of Art. Her artwork can be found in personal and institutional collections, including the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida.

 

James Doherty is a contemporary figurative painter who lives in Lawrenceville, NJ, with his wife and two boys in a 1920's "Center-Hall Colonial" that is also the location of his studio where he paints daily. Jim Doherty depicts delicate women on wood he finds at a building site or at the flea market. He believes that a painting should look like it has been painted—and not like a photograph. You should see each brush stroke, each drip of paint, and each layer of color. He often leaves the bottom of his paintings unfinished so you can see the process. Doherty's work has been part of the Arts Council of Princeton's Pinot to Picasso exhibitions for the past several years.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP), founded in 1967, is a non-profit organization with a mission of Building Community through the Arts. Housed in the landmark Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, designed by architect Michael Graves, the ACP fulfills its mission by presenting a wide range of programs including exhibitions, performances, free community cultural events, and studio-based classes and workshops in a wide range of media. Arts Council of Princeton programs are designed to be high-quality, engaging, affordable and accessible for the diverse population of the greater Princeton region.

 

Link to DUFFY's Media Publications
Topic: DUFFY Media Publications

Click this link below to see Duffy's 2014 newspaper and magazine publications 

 

http://www.tammyduffy.com/duffyphotography/id11.html

When A Town Ignores Patient Privacy Rights
Topic: REEALY?

 

When A Town Ignores Patients Privacy Rights

 

By Tammy Duffy

 

 

 

 

Imagine going to an Aids clinic, an ob/gyn clinic or any kind of disease clinic and that night, you see yourself on the evening news. Imagine  buying your newspaper in the morning after the prior day having gone to a clinic; and you see your face posted all over the internet, in the local and national newspapers. If you do not think this can happen, it can, if you live in Hamilton, N.J., Mercer County. This recently occurred during two Hepatitis clinics in December.

 

( I will not repost the links to the area newspapers and news crews that were filming and photographing at the clinics in respect of the privacy of the patients)

  

In 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA was established. It is a set of laws passed by congress in part to protect people’s medical privacy.

 

As you know we live by HIPAA in the USA. If you have a friend or family member in the hospital and they have not told the hospital you are allowed to get their results, you cannot get them. If you do get them, the hospital is hit with very large fines and the person who gave them instantly fired in most cases. Hospitals and outpatients have policies established that they implement to ensure they follow the HIPAA guidelines. It is the law.

 

 

 

 

What happens when a town’s leadership thinks they are above the law and have no concern for anyone’s privacy around you? What happens when there are no policies to protect patient’s rights at the health clinics performed by the town? 

 

Recently, in Hamilton, NJ, there was one food  handler who was diagnosed with Hepatitis A. The restaurant involved was dragged through the mud by the media and the township officials. This has created a large economic hardship for the restaurant. Is it no coincidence that the restaurant is owned by one of old Mayors of the same town. Being an observer of this behavior has been quite despicable for residents in the town. There were 35 people who contracted the enterovirus at restaurant in Princeton. The same media mayhem was not evident.

 

The township of Hamilton set up two hepatitis clinics to give everyone hepatitis A vaccines. We won’t go into how poorly this was all orchestrated, for that would need to be another column. However, I will share one tidbit. The Hamilton Township Health director was telling those of us who already had gotten the HepA vaccine in our lifetime, a vaccine that is good for life, to get a booster shot. However, there is no booster shot available. There is not one manufacturer of hepA vaccines that has ever created a booster. This information comes from the 2 manufactures of the vaccines (Merck and GSK), the CDC and a physician in Princeton. The vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of first onset of symptoms by the host. The clinics were set up and the public was notified three weeks after that first magic day of symptom onset. When false information is given to the public it creates confusion and social unrest.

 

The media strolled into the hepatitis clinics with cameras, videocameras, etc and videoed and photographed all the people who attended the hepatitis clinic. Google this and you will find the video and photos. The people waiting in line were also videoed and photographed. I have always been taught from my 30 years of working in a hospital settings, NEVER photograph or video a patient, against HIPAA. Unless of course there is a release from the patient allowing this to happen. There were no releases signed by the patients who attended these recent clinics.

Several months ago there was a press conference for the unfortunate loss of a little boy in the same town from EVD68. The school nurse that attended a press conference and was on stage, left a file on the stage after the press conference. This file was picked up by the media and demonstrated the township files and medical information on children from the school. This nurse should never  have even been at the press conference. When this issue was brought to the attention of the towns leadership, there was no response.

 

Facilities, hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers all have policies that ban photography and video from being done in their establishments without written permission from the facility and the patients. I question why the town felt it was more important to photograph the mayor and all those who attended. The mayor has rights to her privacy as well. It’s her health record. Why does the township not have any policies that protect the rights of people who attend the clinics? This is quite disturbing. This will cause people to not use the clinics due to fear that their medical information will end up on the national news. 

 

One of the hepatitis clinics was performed at a local firehouse. Clearly, they have no policies about media involvement during healthcare clinics. There clearly needs to be optimization of the health clinics that the town is involved in. Recently, in October there was a flu clinic held at an event in Hamilton where the vaccines were not refrigerated. I also noticed in the media photos and video on the hepatitis clinic that there the vaccines were on the table. I did not see any coolers to keep the hepatitis vaccines that need to be kept at 36-46 degrees F. I can only hope they did not make that same mistake again. If so, then everyone like at the flu clinic will have to get the vaccines again.

 

 

The public’s medical privacy should never be ignored. Congress implemented laws in 1996 to protect the public. HIPAA is a law.  You are your own best advocate for privacy when it comes to ensuring the rules of HIPAA are being followed both inside and outside of the doctor’s office.  Only you can protect yourself, do not expect leadership to do it. 

 

 

Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre Jan. 9-18

 

 

 

 

 

 

When one’s own conscience proves stronger than the strongest political pressures, a high price is bound to be paid. Join PinnWorth Productions at Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) Kelsey Theatre for “A Man for All Seasons,” based on the life and times of the British Lord Chancellor Thomas More.  Dates and times for this award-winning historical drama are: Fridays, Jan. 9 and 16 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 10 and 17 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Jan. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is conveniently located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.  A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Jan. 9.

Matters of politics, religion, friendship and loyalty collide as Henry VIII contemplates divorcing his barren first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in order to marry Anne Boleyn and produce an heir to the throne of England.  Henry’s loyal chancellor, Sir Thomas More, is a deeply devout Roman Catholic and cannot make peace with the plan, putting him squarely at odds with the King and numerous rivals in the court, most notably the formidable Thomas Cromwell. Can More stay true to his beliefs without paying the ultimate price?

Says LouJ Stalsworth, who directs the production, “We live in an age of compromise and revenge, where doing the easy thing is often the choice that is made instead of doing the right thing.  More, a man of morals and principles, refuses easy compromise.”  Adds John Shaken-Kaye, who plays More, “The show chronicles the age-old conflict between duty to the State, as personified by Cromwell, and adherence to personal conscience, as personified by More.”

Stalsworth notes the central role of The Common Man, who appears as narrator, household servant, boatman, innkeeper, juryman and executioner.  Through him, the audience becomes part of the story; his refusal to take action that could have changed More’s fate is a point that remains relevant for citizens today.

“A Man for All Seasons” premiered in London in 1960 and later came to Broadway, where it enjoyed critical and commercial success.  In addition to several revivals, “A Man for All Seasons” was made into an Academy Award-winning film in 1966.  It has been performed by theater companies throughout the country and on television.

The cast stars Julian Azan of Chesterfield as King Henry; John Shaken-Kaye of Huntington Valley, Pa., as Sir Thomas More; and Rupert Hinton of Princeton as More’s nemesis, Thomas Cromwell.  Also featured are Alana Caraccio of Doylestown, Pa., as Lady Alice More; Krista Coleman of Somerset as Lady Margaret More; Jeff Dworkin of Somerset as The Common Man; Andrew James Gordon of West Windsor as William Roper; Laura B. Lowrie of East Windsor as Catherine Anger; Stephen Pie of Hamilton as Master Richard Rich; John Pinto of Yardley, Pa., as Signor Chapuys; Barry A. Schreier of Princeton as the Duke of Norfolk; William Walters of Columbus as Cardinal Wolsey; and Russ Weiss of Princeton Junction as Bishop Cranmer.

In addition to Stalsworth, the production team includes set and costume designer Kate Pinner and sound and light designer Robert Terrano.  The stage manager is Rachel Piscopo.

Tickets for “A Man for All Seasons” are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students and children.  Free parking is available next to the theater.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333.  For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey webpage or call the box office for a brochure.

 

Need a Break from the Cold Outside? Warm Up at the Zimmerli!
Topic: ART NEWS

Need a Break from the Cold Outside? Warm Up at the Zimmerli!

 

This winter, the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers offers a diverse schedule of programs and events for all interests. Activities take place at the Zimmerli, located at 71 Hamilton Street in New Brunswick, on the Rutgers University College Avenue campus. The museum is closed December 25 and January 1. The Zimmerli is open regular hours on December 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, as well as January 2, 3, and 4. Admission to the museum and all activities is free. For more details, visitwww.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu.

 

2X: Paintings, Pairs, Twins, and Diptychs spotlights five large-scale contemporary works, both loans and from the permanent collection, that examine the concept of doubling. In Western art, interest in the double has a long history, beginning with depictions of Narcissus and his reflection. In modern and contemporary art, artists have incorporated the double (or copy) for a variety of purposes: to juxtapose two states of mind or matter; to complicate notions of time and place; to explore the multiplicity of identity; or even to allude to the moral implications of cloning. These thought-provoking paintings by David Diao, Fariba Hajamadi, Joan Snyder, and Martin Wong will be on view from December 20, 2014, through July 31, 2015. 

 

The Music at the Museum concert series continues this winter. The Young Artists Program on Saturday, December 20, features small ensembles, offering works by Respighi, Weill, Borodin, and Beethoven. The performance begins at 2 p.m. In addition, students from the Mason Gross Extension Division (www.masongross.rutgers.edu/extension) present their recitals on Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18, 2015, beginning at 12:45 and 3:00 p.m. each day. These family-friendly weekend concerts are organized by the Extension Division and hosted by the Zimmerli Art Museum. Admission is free for the concerts, but seating is limited. For the complete schedule, visit bit.ly/ZAMMatM.

 

Kick off 2015 at Art After Hours: First Tuesdays by stopping in on the first Tuesday of the year, January 6. The evening includes a curator-led tour of the new exhibition 2X: Paintings, Pairs, Twins, and Diptychs, as well as the galleries that showcase George Segaland Abstraction in Sculpture, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The tour is immediately followed by the next selection in the Big Ten: Art series, which spotlights one intriguing work of art from the collection each month. The New Brunswick Jazz Project presents vocalist Najwa Parkins, joined by Dan Hanrahan (guitar), Chris Simonini (organ), and Kevin Ripley (drums). A graduate of the Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance, Parkins frequently performs throughout the greater Philadelphia region and has appeared at jazz festivals in the Hague and Detroit. Her album Not the Next Someone Else features jazz standards and her original compositions. The quartet performs two sets, beginning at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Art After Hours takes place from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., featuring free admission and complimentary refreshments. To learn more, visit bit.ly/ArtAfterHourZTues.

 

The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra (newbrunswickchamberorchestra.org) brings its salon series to the Zimmerli in 2015. The first performance takes place on Sunday, January 11, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Musical selections are interspersed with wine, cheese, and conversation, inviting guests to chat with the musicians about what inspires them and the process behind their art. Future performances begin at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, and Friday, May 8. Admission is free for the salon series.