News from the Middlesex Chamber - March 2022
Member Spotlight: Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Arsen Savadov and Georgii Senchenko, Gardens Old and New, 1986-1987. Oil on canvas. Norton and Nancy Dodge Collection of Nonconformist Art from the Soviet Union. Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers. Photo Peter Jacobs. (from Painting in Excess)
Maura Reilly, the new Director at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, wants to create more inclusive experiences for artists, visitors and the community. 

Reilly believes university-based museums are an important resource for the academic community as well as the general public. 
“As a curator and author who has dedicated her career to marginalized and underrepresented artists, including women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC artists, I saw the university’s new leadership under President Holloway and his commitment to a ‘beloved community’ as an opportunity to create more inclusive museum experiences for all,” she said.

Reilly and her team are working to transition the Zimmerli into an “empathetic museum for a beloved community,'' one defined by compassion, tolerance, diversity, equity, and access.
Maura Reilly
Credit:
Photo Rochelle S Paris
“Under President Holloway’s leadership, Rutgers is a university that will support that vision, and that thrills me,” she said. “I envision the future exhibition schedule as embodying activist principles. We will be featuring many more underrepresented artists and presenting exhibitions that examine more social justice concerns. I believe that museums of the 21st century need to do so, as they move away from their elitist, apolitical reputations.”

Recently, the Zimmerli decided to extend the popular exhibition, Painting in Excess: Kyiv's Art Revival, 1985-1993, through April 10. Many ongoing programs have returned in-person while signature events - such as Rutgers Day and Summer Art Camp - will be in person for the first time since 2019.
Elizabeth Catlett, Angela Libre, 1972. Screenprint on foil. Lisbet Tellefsen Archive. © 2020 Catlett Mora Family Trust / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.
Another popular exhibition, Angela Davis – Seize the Time, is open through the middle of June and Zimmerli recently announced its latest endeavor: A Quilting and Social Justice Workshop, offered in conjunction with the exhibition Stitching Time: The Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project.

Reilly comes to Zimmerli Art Museum as a curator, writer, art consultant and non-profit leader. She has organized dozens of exhibitions internationally, with a specific focus on marginalized artists. She has authored more than 60 articles and several monographs on global contemporary artists.
Her book, Curatorial Activism: Towards an Ethics of Curating was listed as one of the “Top 10 Best Art Books” of 2018 from the New York Times and another publication, Women Artists: The Linda Nochlin Reader, was listed by the New York Times as a “Best of 2020” art book. 
“Membership with the Chamber allows organizations, especially smaller ones like the museum, to connect with colleagues we may not otherwise encounter in our daily business activities. Museum staff have developed important partnerships, allowing us to offer more programming to the public and reach new audiences. I look forward to meeting and working with other members in the future,” said Reilly.

Learn more about the Zimmerli Art Museum at www.zimmerli.rutgers.edu.
Scenes From the Return of the Annual
St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza
Members and guests had a blast at the return of the Middlesex Chamber's Annual St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza on March 17.

The beautiful atrium at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Piscataway-Somerset was perfectly decked out in green and gold to spread the Irish cheer. Delicious food and appetizers included corned beef and cabbage egg rolls, mini shepherd’s pies and Reubens, a mashed potato and pasta station, and decadent chocolate mousse cups and pistachio tarts for dessert.

Tasty food paired with a cash bar and good conversation made for the perfect St. Patrick's Day celebration!
Members Network and Engage Over Breakfast
The March Networking Breakfast provided members and guests with the outstanding opportunity to network with other members, develop new connections and further grow their businesses.

Over coffee, french toast and eggs, members enjoyed 30-second intros and structured networking with other attendees at the beautiful Pines Manor in Edison.
Celebrate Spring with Us! Spring Meet & Greet
Wednesday, April 13, 5 PM
Join the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce for our Spring Meet & Greet on Wednesday, April 13th, 5 PM, at Topgolf Edison, 1013 US-1.

Spring is in the Air! Let’s Celebrate the Season of New Growth at the Spring Meet & Greet.

There will be delicious food and a cash bar. Featuring Speed Networking, a Raffle and Tours!
Spring Food Drives and Volunteer Opportunities
with REPLENISH
Sunday, April 3 and Saturday, April 30
Mark Your Calendars
April Networking Breakfast:
Friday, April 22nd
8:30 - 10 a.m.

Join the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce for our April Networking Breakfast at The Rutgers Club, 85 Avenue East in Piscataway from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM on Friday, April 22nd.
76th Annual Bernie Cohn Golf Classic:
Tuesday, May 3rd
7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

You’re invited to our Bernie Cohn Memorial Golf Classic and 76th Annual Outing on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 7:30 AM at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township. Each year our Annual Golf Classic serves as an opportunity for the business and community leaders of Middlesex County to connect while supporting the Chamber’s efforts to improve Middlesex County.
Have Some Exciting News to Share?
Submit A Promotion, News, Announcement or Upcoming Event
Members are encouraged to submit Promotions, News, Announcements or Upcoming Events through the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce Submission Portal.

Submissions must include a brief summary and a copy-ready graphic, flyer or press release (PDF Only).

Postings may be featured in The Daily Update.
Welcome, New Members! Welcome Back, Returning Members!
Membership Reflects Central Jersey’s Growing Business Community

The MCRCC is pleased to welcome new members to our ever-growing Central Jersey business community. We are also grateful to our returning partners, who have renewed their commitment to America’s greatest chamber!

Welcome, New Members!

United Electric Supply
TAPinto South Plainfield
Share A Horse Inc.

Welcome Back, Returning Members!

AlphaGraphics
Courtyard by Marriott Princeton
Shore Business Solutions
Sunrise Brighton Gardens of Edison
First Bank- Somerset
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
CFO Strategies
Allen & Stults Co, Inc.
Educational Services Commission of NJ
Kramer Industries Inc.
M&T Bank - Iselin
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