On March 16th New Bethel A.M.E. Church led a gospel concert held in the historic Landis Theater in Vineland titled, "This is Why We Sing." Supported by the Cultural & Heritage Commission, participants and guests included from left to right Rev. D. Albert Turk of the Emmanuel A.M.E. Church in New York City, Rev. Evelyn E. Booze, Pastor of New Bethel A.M.E. Church of Vineland, Earl Arthur, the Program Chairman, and Matthew Pisarski, Coordinator of the Commission.

Matthew Pisarski, Coordinator of the Cultural & Heritage Commission with Ellen Gavin, the first place winner in the Commission-sponsored Plein Air Competition held on October 29, 2011 during a terrible nor'easter storm. Ellen's winning piece, being held, is titled, "November Rain". Special thanks to Gallery 50, Inc. in Bridgeton for co-sponsoring and hosting the event.

Members of the Commission attended the Colors of Hope reception on May 16, 2011 held in the Frank & Edith Scarpa Regional Cancer Pavilion at the South Jersey Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Vineland, N.J. A collaborative project between the Commission, South Jersey Healthcare and The Noyes Museum of Art, the Colors of Hope project placed 20 works of art throughout the pavilion as a healing arts initiative to promote positive values, love and hope to those undergoing treatment. Standing in front of a work by Anna Vosburgh from left to right are Marianne Lods, Ella Boykin, Roy Kaneshiki and Matthew Pisarski.

The Cultural & Heritage Commission received a certificate of recognition on March 9th in Trenton for receiving a 2011 grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC). From left to right is NJHC Acting Executive Director Sara Cureton, NJHC Commissioner Dr. Joseph Salvatore, Cultural & Heritage Commission Coordinator Matthew Pisarski, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, and NJHC Chairman Michael Fernandez.

Several examples of the creations made during this year's Winter Eagle Festival held on February 5, 2011. The Cultural & Heritage Commission hosted an activities table in partnership with Clay College where the young and young-at-heart created artistic masterpieces in polymer clay.

Unveiling reception held on October 27, 2010 of new public artwork located in the Cumberland County Library funded through a grant from the Cultural & Heritage Commission. Guests included, from left to right; Matthew E. Pisarski, Coordinator of the Cultural & Heritage Commission, Freeholder Joseph Pepitone, Library Commissioner Candus Zambone, Cumberland County Library Acting Director Jean Edwards, featured artist Molly Sanger Carpenter, Library Commissioner Mary Moyer, Freeholder Nelson Thompson, and Cultural & Heritage Commission Chairman Roy Kaneshiki.

Matthew Pisarski, Coordinator of the Cultural & Heritage Commission with Jen Ashmen, the first place winner in the Commission-sponsored Cohansey RiverFest Plein Air Competition held on August 28, 2010. The winning piece can be seen in the background. Special thanks to Gallery 50, Inc. in Bridgeton for hosting the event.

From l to r: Penny Watson, Matthew E. Pisarski, Todd Noon, Carola Lillie Hartley, Marianne Lods, Dale Wettstein, Roy Kaneshiki

The Cumberland County Cultural & Heritage Commission was honored to present the Paul Aiken Encore Award to the Main Street of Cumberland County. The Main Street approach of heritage preservation and cultural programming has proven itself as a critical incubator of revitalization and development. Roy Kaneshiki, Chairman of the Commission was proud to present the award to Todd Noon of Vineland, Carola Hartley of Bridgeton and Dale Wettstein of Millville.