Art Exhibit Showcases The Sistars’ Connection, Artisan Boutique, and Workshops
WEST ORANGE, NJ (March 6, 2025) – The West Orange Arts Council (WOAC) is proud to announce its 2025 Women’s History Month exhibit, HERStory: Past, Present & Moving Forward, showcasing works by WOAC members Cynthia Vaughn, Denise Toney, Gina Rivas-Velazquez, Josephine Dakers-Brathwaite, and Yvonne Onque, known collectively as The Sistars’ Connection. The exhibit will be on view at the West Orange Arts Center, 551 Valley Road, West Orange, from March 15 – April 5, 2025, with gallery hours on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and Sundays from 2-4 p.m. The community is invited to celebrate the Artist’s Reception on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 4-7 p.m.
In addition to celebrating Women’s History Month, March is also National Quilting Month, and National Craft Month, and we plan to celebrate it ALL! The West Orange Arts Center art destination is where all five exhibiting, teaching artists will be offering the following workshops:
Sun., March 16 from 2-4 p.m…………NEEDLE FELTING with Josie Dakers-Brathwaite
Sat., March 22 from 1-4 p.m………….SEWING/QUILTING with Denise Toney & PATCHMAKING with Yvonne Onque
Sat., March 29 from 2-4 p.m…………BEADING with Gina Rivas-Velazquez & Cynthia Vaughn
During the month, the celebration of women continues with “When Women Speak”, a poetry and spoken word event hosted by Ameerah Shabazz and featuring performances by Kendee Love, Rescue Poetix, Laura Daniels, and Edwinna Simmons. This special presentation will take place on Sunday, March 23, from 2-4 p.m.
HERStory honors the talent and vision of this group of local women artists, whose varied creations enrich and elevate our community. This exhibition showcases the compelling narratives and artistic expressions of women, emphasizing the significance of representation in the arts.
“The West Orange Arts Center continues to be a vital space where artists can share their voices and connect with the community,” says WOAC Chair Patricia Mitrano. “As we honor women artists during Women’s History Month, we invite sponsors and supporters to join us in sustaining this creative hub—because without community support, spaces like ours wouldn’t be possible.”
The West Orange Arts Council is dedicated to promoting the arts in West Orange and providing opportunities for artists and the community to connect through exhibitions, workshops, and events. The West Orange Arts Council’s mission is to cultivate, inspire, and support the arts in West Orange. Area artists and community leaders remain the core of this all-volunteer organization that operates the West Orange Arts Center Gallery and Gift Shop at 551 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ. For more See our FACEBOOK page here – www.facebook.com/woac.org.
This program is made possible partly by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs and the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund.
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551 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ 07052 USA
West Orange Art Center Phone: (973) 325-0151