ArtBender is a celebration of creativity and self-expression, happening in South Orange on June 18th, 2023. This year ArtBender takes place on Father’s Day, in the middle of Pride Month and right before Juneteenth. We therefore have several reasons to celebrate the diversity of our community by creating art to recognize everybody who enriches our community. We are very excited to have several events for all to participate in and enjoy. The community is encouraged to gather at the various “creativity hubs” and participate in communal projects throughout the town. ArtBender events include painting, chalk street art, writing, and community gardening. SoundBender includes musical performances throughout Seton Village and beyond. Be sure to start your day at 133 Fairview Ave and Carter Park, festivities kick off at 11am.

A message from ArtBender Founder, Danni Michaeli:

Dear friends, as many of you know, when my husband got sick a few years ago, our town came together in amazing ways to support us. I wanted to do something lasting to give back to a community I could never thank enough for its generosity and I got involved in creating ArtBender, a celebratory day of creative self-expression. We’ve painted murals, created installations and planted gardens. This year, we’ll begin an exciting longer term project.

Carter Park, on College Place and Irvington Avenue, recently underwent a large scale renovation facilitated by The Township of South Orange Village. This initiative was spearheaded by trustee Summer Jones. The equipment is all new, and with the additional support of NPP grant funding from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), master gardener extraordinaire, and newly elected trustee, Olivia Lewis-Chang, has been developing an entirely new look for Carter Park. For this year’s ArtBender, supported by NPP, we’re continuing to add a creative magic touch to the playground. We are incorporating new plants, flower boxes and fresh blooms, painted fencing & rocks, fairy garden and birdhouses, as well as a directional sign post inspiring kids to wonder about magnificent places around the world, starting with Carter Park as a place of wonder. 

Get ready to get creative

We will have fence spindles, pebbles, blank directional signs, bird houses and fairy houses for people to paint, decorate and design. We’ll bring all the paint and materials, you only need to bring your creativity and love for the community. Along with other ArtBender events that day, there’ll be live music and food throughout the day to keep everyone entertained and festive. Tell your family, friends and neighbors, and see you there!

We are also proud to collaborate with CINC (Creative In Common) in making a DNA creative art healix - “Creativity is in our DNA”. CINC is an innovative nonprofit organization that will provide a vibrant makerspace in South Orange to facilitate creativity, foster collaboration, engage the community, and eliminate obstacles that hinder the realization of creative potential (Instagram @creativeincommonorg).