The Pierro Gallery of South Orange will have a variety of programming for the whole family on June 11, from 1:00-4:00 pm titled N.E.W.S Event (N.ews E.vents W.orkshops& S.ymposiums) in conjunction with the 2006 blockbuster exhibition Headlines. This afternoon of experience and exposure about headlines and art include free, fun, hands-on activities: drop-in artwork stations, interactive works, “roving reporters”, performances, artists talk….and MORE!

Seven art work stations for hands-on art making in various techniques and materials will be held in the Meadowland Park near the Duck Pond in South Orange. The events include:

Talking Heads - Using the map of the head (phrenology), participants collage their thoughts together with instructor/artist Liz Buschman

Personal Highlights - Create a collage using newspaper clippings with paint and mixed media

Create your own Headlines - Art on canvas using existing text with exhibiting artist, Curt Ikens

Making It Stick - Everyone can participate in creating one large, fun papier mache caricature of a major figure in the headlines with instructor and artist, Chuck Miley

Personal Poster Place - using rubber stamps, glitter, ribbons, markers, participants will create their own placards to proudly flaunt their ideas

“Alter Books and Make a Statement” - Using existing hardboard books, participants learn how to reconstruct the contents creating their own personal statements with artist/instructor Ellen Hess. This workstation is limited to twenty people at 1:00-2:30 seating and 2:30-4:00 seating. This project will have a homework component with a final public display of work

Button Boaster - Create your own image/statement on your large button.

Music and Theater performances will be going on throughout the event day offering a full range of activities including:

“Make Your Voice Heard” - Roving interview teams at the train station and Meadowland Park will videotape permitted conversations, getting feedback and opinions on current headlines of the day.

“The Phone Plays”- Dreamcatcher Repertory Theater presents a series of short plays from 2:00 to 3:00 pm about how modern communication has been transformed (and not always for the better!) Some comic, some serious, but all are interesting studies of the limits and freedom inherent in talking on the phone rather than in person.

“RED” - The teenage trashcan percussion group, play throughout the day, a very unique—and fun!—way of communicating

Gallery Talk at 4:00 pm in the Pierro Gallery of South Orange. Moderator SK Duff, Headlines Exhibition Coordinator, leads the discussion with exhibiting artists discussing their work, content, and issues.

Headlines exhibition features the work of seventeen artists referencing current events, politics and/or world affairs. Curated by Mary Birmingham, much of the work examines the mediation of ideas, with the artist as the ultimate information “filter.” Mediums in the exhibition include drawing, painting, digital imagery, video and photography.