Showing posts with label Graffitti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Graffitti. Show all posts

Friday, October 4, 2013

The Crisis Ministry Hanover Street Garden Summer 2013





 Trenton365
The Crisis Ministry Hanover Street Garden





In 2012 the BHOH Community Garden was created in partnership with the Urban Mission Cabinet Inc., The Crisis Ministry and Isles.  Many other others volunteered time, talent and treasures to make this a wonderful share garden.

The basis of the garden would be to share 50% of the produce with the neighborhood through the programs of the Crisis Ministry.

Carolyn Biondi addressing the crowd #1





Carolyn Biondi addressing the crowd #2

Carolyn Biondi addressing the crowd #3
Fast forward Fall of 2012 the physical action steps to create the “Crisis Ministry Hanover Street Garden” begins. 

July 2013, the following are excerpts from the opening presented by Carolyn Biondi, Executive Director [ED] of the Crisis Ministry.

          






We are pleased to have everyone here to share in the celebration of this wonderful effort to make our garden on Hanover Street a reality.  Jarrett Kerbel former ED, Mark Smith Hunger Prevention Director, landlord Rev. John Allen and Admin.  Maria Newman had dreamed for several years about a green space that would beautify our neighborhood and provide produce for our neighbors in need.

Several partners moved to make that dream a reality:
·      Christen Foell and Bobby Hackett from the Bonner Foundation who provided the funds and support the work of the Crisis Ministry.
·      Jacque Howard and the Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen from the Urban Mission Cabinet Inc. who partnered on the Bethany House of Hospitality Community Garden and brought inspired ideas and key partners to the effort on Hanover St.
·      Jim SimonMarty Johnson and Isles Youth Build Institute students, who lent their expertise of urban agriculture, sweat equity and volunteer connections to the project.
·      Artists Will “Kasso” and Jim “Luv One” Kelewae from SAGE Coalition NJ who painted the Richie Havens inspired mural and Wils “Wheels” Kinsley for the bicycle wheeled market cart.
·      Heather McNeil-Nazareth of Mercer County for soil consulting.
·      Christine Thomas of Thomas’ English Gardens for design work.
·      Pineland Nursery for perennials.
·      Hlubik Farms for vegetables and herb plants.
·      SAGE Coalition’s Gandhi Garden for shrubbery and ground cover.
·      Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton University Varsity Club, NRG-Energy, Grace-St. Paul’s Episcopol Church of Hamilton and Janssen Pharmaceuticals for volunteers.
·      Crisis Ministry Board Chair Fred Van Sickle and Boardmembers who provide leadership and vision for the Crisis Ministry in new efforts like this.

Wils Kins with hat, Fabricator of the Bicycle Market Cart


Recycled bicycle parts



Muralist Will Kasso sharing about the Richie Havens inspired mural














Websites of our partners'























Tuesday, March 19, 2013

KAREY MAURICE COUNTS-NEO POP ARTIST


Trenton365

Karey Maurice Counts
Red Balloon Studios







Trenton, Ewing or NYC you choose either way KMC wants respect!  Not in the arrogant way the text may suggest but to understand the current state of art in Trenton had several people who led, paved or blazed the way.  KAMO as he is also known has various terms that describe his craft one of them is MDNP-Multi-dimensional Neo-Pop artist.










                                                TOOLS OF THE TRADE










We met several years ago in his 
Trenton studio located in the 
Conduit building on Broad Street.  
At that time he was creating 
mixed media pieces with a focus 
on spray paint.  Going back further 
Karey shares about his exposure 
to blueprints, maps and how he 
navigated the streets of Trenton 
as a courier. 




L-R Vanity Sabelnik, TC Nelson, Karey Maurice Counts
During our conversation shortly after        
his opening at Trenton Social he 
shared about growing up in Ewing 
and his early life in art.  His experiences 
traveling to the “village” in NY and 
hanging in the art scene that gave him 
exposure to other artists who are 
now household names like Keith Haring.  
















As his talent grew and because of his relationship with the art scene in NY Karey no doubt recognized and adopted the belief in the following statements he shared with me.

“Art is a business and all artists should look at it this way, a lack of respect for this will devalue the artist and all of their work!”

“Artist should consider a contract including details on purchase, sale, rental and where it can be shown.”

“Keep a database of work created with complete documentation.
This will help to protect your legacy.”






KAMO wanted me to make it very clear that art is a market and people would be wise to look into owning original art.  He gave an example of how it bothers him that parents will spend $100 for sneakers that are mass-produced and then thrown away.  He suggested they consider spending $50 on the kicks and $50 on some art!  I know if Karey had his way the term starving artist would be erased from our lips along with bullying and racism.

























Karey also shared his interests in several genres of music especially house.


KMC with WTSR DJ Ms. Sue/Ms. Sue
So nice they named her twice!
A few of KAMO's friends




Other interests include traveling, European and Mediterranean countries, Miami, mountain biking and spending time with friends.  He closed our time together with a “nugget” by sharing he has more photographic work then anything, of course it’s cataloged and in storage.  Maybe he will let me see some of those items the next time.



Karey Maurice Counts is a conscientious man with a focus on sharing and acknowledging the past.  His physical limitations have slowed his movements but not his craft!  Take a look at his work and get in touch.