(MERCER COUNTY, NJ) -- Participation in the arts has a positive impact on our physical, emotional and social health, which is why nearly a dozen arts and cultural organizations in Mercer County have come together as one coalition called Arts & Health Mercer to share this message and generate awareness of the health benefits of the arts.

The coalition includes Art Against Racism, Arts Council of Princeton, McCarter Theatre, Morven Museum and Garden, Princeton Public Library, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton University Concerts, and West Windsor Arts.

Throughout the month of November, recognized around the world as Arts and Health Month, the coalition will leverage its collective resources and creative talents to promote the health and wellness of our community through special events and programming.

The initiative will kick off with an Opening Celebration on Saturday, November 4 from 10:00 am to 4:00pm, at the Robert Wood Johnson Fitness and Wellness Center in Hamilton. “It will be a day of live music, theater, reflection, art making and community building,” says Janie Hermann, adult programming manager at the Princeton Public Library.

The public is invited to this free event featuring interactive workshops for the whole family and a presentation by keynote speaker Christina D. Eskridge, MPH, founder and executive director of Elevate Theatre Company in New York. James Steward, Director of the Princeton University Art Museum, will deliver opening remarks at a special reception for members of the press, participating organizations and sponsors.

RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center is located at 3100 Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.

All are invited to the reception at 3:00pm, which will feature food and refreshments provided by Jersey Girl Cafe. The celebration will continue throughout the month with a variety of programs and activities.

A full calendar of programming, with more details and additional programs, can be found on the new Arts & Health Mercer website at artshealthmercer.org. Other Mercer County organizations are welcome to submit additional programming aligned with the mission of the coalition.

“We formed Arts & Health Mercer to provide opportunities for everyone in our community to engage in the arts. No experience is necessary, just a desire to tap into your creative side and immerse yourself, even for an hour or two, in music, theater, painting, whatever it is that brings you joy and encourages expression,” says Aylin Green, executive director of West Windsor Arts.

The Opening Celebration is presented with financial and organizational support from Princeton University Art Museum, RWJ Barnabas Health Hamilton, New Jersey Council for the Humanities, Princeton Public Library and West Windsor Arts. Additional programmatic support from steering committee organizations includes Art Against Racism, Arts Council of Princeton, McCarter Theatre, Morven Museum and Garden, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, and Princeton University Concerts.