The Hopewell Valley (HV) Arts Council is celebrating 10 years since its founding by an inspired group of dedicated volunteers.
They envisioned a way to involve the community in the arts and support the Valley’s many local artists, a mission that continues to this day, according to a press release through the HV Arts Council.
Over these past 10 years, the HV Arts Council has woven itself into the fabric of the community by being part of our area’s everyday community events and significant cultural celebrations, and creating many of their own memorable public art displays.Â
The Hopewell Valley Stampede, in 2014, was a Valley-wide public art display of 69 life-size oxen decorated by artists and students, which raised the initial funds for the nonprofit.
Although in the hands of private owners, many of these oxen can still be seen as you drive through the roads of Hopewell Valley.
In 2021, the HV Arts Council displayed 60 decorated spires with Out of the Ashes: Art Emerging from Fallen Trees – ArtSpire, commemorating the loss of native ash trees; the Amazing Pumpkin Carve, now in its 10th year, attracts over 3,000 attendees during the course of a fall weekend; and, in 2023, they displayed sculptures – large and small – in Celebrating the Everyday, honoring of the life of renowned late local artist Seward Johnson. Â
Beyond these major projects, the HV Arts Council has embarked on “small but mighty” projects including co-hosting the online Artist Talks and family art workshops with the Pennington Public Library; curating a dedicated gallery space at the Global Neuroscience Institute building in Pennington and at the Ottoburger Lounge in Hopewell; and most recently, taking on a leadership role with Hopewell Tour Des Arts, a free self-guided tour of galleries and spaces of over 60 artists.
The HV Arts Council has also presented annual art scholarships to students at HV Central Regional High School since its inception.
These art initiatives, in their many forms, provide joy, inspiration and unifying experiences for this community, while garnering support for the organization and its mission.
Despite the challenges of limited resources and ongoing impacts from the pandemic, the HV Arts Council perseveres and continues its commitment to “celebrate art in the everyday.”
“We have come so far in the past 10 years,” said Carol Lipson, executive director of HV Arts Council, “and we are so grateful for the many individuals and businesses who have contributed to our success.
“We look forward to many more years of creativity and community.”Â
