In the House

Congressman Leonard Lance with Arts Access artist Luis Rodriguez.

When U.S. Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) toured Matheny and visited the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center earlier this year, he was so impressed with Arts Access  that he agreed to be honorary chair of Full Circle 2013 Reflections, the 20th anniversary celebration of the program. Now, Congressman Lance has confirmed that he will attend Full Circle and say a few words prior to the multimedia stage presentation.

“I was pleased to talk with staff and patients at Matheny and learn more about the facility’s first-class art program for residents,” said Lance, shortly after his January visit. “I was also impressed with the high quality of care that is provided to patients at this top-notch facility in Peapack.” Lance is co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus.

Full Circle 2013 Reflections will be held on Saturday, November 2, from 3–6 p.m., in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center on the Matheny campus. Gold sponsors of Full Circle are Provident Bank and James and Judith Finn. Bronze sponsors are the Angeletti Group, Angelina and Steven Brown and Shoprite of Hunterdon County. Food/beverage sponsors are: Café Azzurro and cocoLuxe fine pastries, Peapack; Gladstone Tavern, Gladstone; 3West and Urban Table, Basking Ridge; and Village Office Supply, Somerset.

Admission is $30. All funds raised support the Arts Access Program, which enables individuals with disabilities to fully express themselves in the arts. For more information, or to order tickets, call 908.234.0011, ext. 260, or email pcats@matheny.org.

Congressman Leonard Lance chats with Arts Access artist Luis Rodriguez.

Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) took one look at an untitled painting by Arts Access artist Jason Christie and exclaimed, “If you had told me that was a Jackson Pollock, I would have believed you!”

Rep. Lance toured Matheny recently, starting at the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center where he praised staff members, students and patients for being awarded a 2013 Fast Track Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

He visited with artist Luis Rodriguez in the visual arts studio and then watched Rodriguez work on his choreography with two dance facilitators. “I was pleased to talk with staff and patients at Matheny and learn more about the facility’s first-class art program for residents,” Lance said. “I was also impressed with the high quality of care that is provided to patients at this top-notch facility in Peapack.”

Arts Access enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. The NEA grant was awarded to help support the 20th anniversary of Arts Access, which will be celebrated in November.