May 2019
Summit Public Art Update
The mission of Summit Public Art (SPA) is bringing art to public spaces in Summit . We hope you'll find within these emails something that piques your interest, or helps you see the art around town with fresh eyes. If you find the information in this email of value, please forward to your Summit-area friends. Thank you for your support of public art in our community.
Summit Community Contributes to Public Art Installation
"Togetherness Trail"
Artist Sarah Langsam and a crew from Birch Hill Landscaping installed the first phase of her art installation "Togetherness Trail" on the Summit Park Line earlier this month.
Local residents had the opportunity to help create the mosaic rings that will make up the "Togetherness Trail." Photo courtesy of Donna Goggin Patel.
This summer marks a new milestone for Summit Public Art—its first collaboration with the Summit Park Line Foundation. 

The public art installation, conceived by artist Sarah Langsam , will span the pathway along the Park Line’s upper Overlook Road entrance, combining repurposed branches and hundreds of multi-colored plywood rings to display a mosaic design that can be seen from Morris Avenue. 

"From the beginning we loved artist Sarah Langsam’s vision and her willingness to get the public involved in the creation of this art installation. Ultimately, this art installation will fully integrate with the natural landscape and greatly enhance and transform the Summit Park Line," says Estelle Fournier, co-chair of Summit Public Art.
A young artist shows off her ring mosaic. Kids over age 3 are encouraged to participate in the assembly of the art work.
SPA committee members Debi Schwarzmann, Melanie Cohn, and Vicki Lederman help out at the Summit Farmers Market event on May 19.
The Summit Park Line is a 1.2 mile linear park running along the former Rahway Railroad line from Overlook Hospital to Bryant Park. “When Sarah presented the idea, it was like an ‘a-ha’ moment,” recalls Park Line president Robert Rubino. “It totally captures the mission of the Park Line in that it’s very much a collaborative effort in which the public is part of the creation of the art.”

Because assembling the rings takes time, Langsam welcomes Summit residents to join her and will host several workshops, the first of which was on May 19th at the Summit Farmers Market. Additional opportunities will be available over the summer months. Please check our Facebook page for details. 

“It is super simple,” says Langsam. “All you have to do is spread some glue and do a puzzle with wood. I have held similar workshops with people of all ages and backgrounds who’ve found the process both fun and therapeutic.”

Slated for completion later this summer, the project is expected to be the first of many recurring public art collaborations at the Park Line. “Public art is a great way to express the community sentiment of collaboration and cooperation,” says Rubino.

Other contributors include the Boy Scouts and  Birch Hill Landscaping , who installed the support posts for the project. 

To learn more about  Sarah Langsam  and how to help with the Park Line project, follow her on Facebook at @SarahLangsamArtist, on Instagram at @sarahlangsam, or email her directly at  slang@sarahlangsam.com .  Teens interested in community service hours are encouraged to email Sarah, who will need several volunteers to assist her at the community events.

To learn more about  Summit Public Art  and to get involved with bringing world-class art to Summit's public spaces, visit  www.summitpublicart.com .

For more information about the  Summit Park Line  and its  upcoming fundraiser  on May 31st, visit  www.summitparkline.org .
Artist Sarah Langsam assists in the mosaic assembly. Look for other opportunities to participate at upcoming events at the Summit Family Aquatic Center and Summit's Community Night on the Village Green.
Two young artists create their own ring mosaic at the Farmers Market.
Why are you involved with Summit Public Art?
"I joined Summit Public Art because public art matters. It engages its viewers in conversations that connect them to each other and to the community. Public art is for the public, and I am excited to facilitate bringing the two together."
Debi Schwarzmann, Co-Chair, Art Selection Committee of Summit Public Art
Installation of RAMP UP Program Art Scheduled for June 3
The RAMP UP Summit High School art students are assembling the sculpture they've created under the mentorship of artist Jorge Wellesley . Installation is scheduled for Monday, June 3, in Promenade Park, next to Mondo in downtown Summit. An unveiling event is planned for Friday, June 14 at 5pm at the Promenade, and the Summit community is welcomed to attend. Check our Facebook page for event details.
Summit High School art students assemble the sculpture they have created, to be installed on the Promenade off Springfield Avenue.
Paul Santoleri Installs The Watcher
Artist Paul Santoleri has begun installation of “The Watcher” on the building facing the Bank Street parking lot in downtown Summit.

Paul Santoleri is an internationally renowned artist who has recently completed a 30 ft. tiled mural for Philadelphia International Airport, and who has participated in the famed “Mural Arts Philadelphia” program for 30 years. His Summit mural reflects the grandeur of the Great Blue Heron set amidst swirling grasses, with the City of Summit in the background. The mural is scheduled to be completed within the next two weeks.

Come down to watch the progress!

"The Watcher" is one of two murals being installed in Summit this summer. Look for details on the second one in next month's email.

This installation is made possible in part due to the generous support of Laura and Jeff Schaffer .
What Do You Love About Summit Public Art?
"Public art is one of the special elements that make Summit such a wonderful place to live. SPA works tirelessly to bring inspiring artists, sometimes working with the students in our city. Their volunteerism epitomizes Summit’s sense of community."
Mike McTernan, City Council Representative, Summit Public Art
Curated Art Walk with Summit Public Art & the Co-Co
On June 20, Summit Public Art Committee Co-Chairs Estelle Fournier and Vivian Furman Rubin will be leading a curated art walk for members and guests of The Co-Co , a new co-workspace and community in Summit. The tour begins with a summer evening of cocktails and conversation. Admire and learn about the art installations throughout town. Event begins at 5 p.m.

Art walk is free for Co-Co members and $25 for non-members.

Update from the Committee

Save the date! Our not-to-be-missed yearly gala will be on Saturday, September 21, 2019. Art After Dark: Upping the Game will be a special night of wonderful food, wine, and music followed by a live auction as entertaining and lively as last year's was. Held on the lovely rooftop terrace at One DeForest Avenue, you'll enjoy a beautiful night mingling with our artists and other art appreciators. Look for your Save the Date postcard in the coming weeks.

Supporting Public Art in Summit

We rely on the generosity of Summit residents to provide the public art that you, your families, and visitors to our town enjoy on a daily basis. Donations are accepted (and appreciated!) year-round, and are tax-deductible.
Summit Public Art is actively identifying wonderful new art for the coming spring.
Stay tuned!
We love seeing your artistic skills in action. Submit photos of the artwork or of your friends and family interacting with it to us at summitpublicarts@gmail.com and we’ll feature it in our emails and social media accounts. Selfies welcome! Include your name or initials and in which town you live.
Socialize with us!
Add more beauty to your Facebook and Instagram feeds by following @SummitPublicArt ! Be the first to know about new installations, see our artists’ latest projects, and get behind the scenes info on how all this art gets to Summit.

Use #summitpublicart in your social media posts of or with the public art in Summit so we can enjoy your creativity and share it with others. We love seeing your interactions with the art; it’s a big part of why we do this work, and our hope is that it adds to your life in a positive way.
Summit Public Art | summitpublicarts@gmail.com | www.summitpublicart.com