(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) presents ART OF, a series of events curated to introduce attendees to the endless creativity and innovation in the Princeton community.
The ART OF series launched in Fall 2022 and has since welcomed guests to enjoy exciting and educational experiences in topics ranging from wine, horticulture, astrology, and, floral arranging. Some ART OF events are free, and every dollar raised from ticketed events benefits the Arts Council’s longstanding community outreach programs, public art initiatives, and year-long community events and projects.
Upcoming is the ART OF Salsa and Bachata on Saturday, January 21 from 7:00pm-11:00pm. Attendees are invited to dress in their best red threads and immerse themselves in an evening of Latin Dance with instructor Mike Andino of HotSalsaHot Dance Studio. Music to be provided by DJ Poli, one of Philly’s top Latin DJs. No partner or experience necessary. Tickets are $125 and include instruction, dance party, beer, wine, and Latin-inspired cuisine.
ART OF Chocolate Making – Sunday, January 22 | 3:00pm-4:30pm. Chocolate connoisseur Alex Pimentel will guide this artisanal chocolate making workshop. Using organic cacao from Peru, adults and children 10+ will design and create custom gourmet chocolate bars to take home. Tickets are $55.
ART OF The Potter's Wheel – Friday, February 10 | 5:00pm-7:00pm. Give pottery a whirl! Award-winning ceramicist and ACP Executive Director Adam Welch will introduce you to the basics of throwing on the potter’s wheel. Watch a quick, detailed demo on the wheel — then it’s your turn! You throw, choose your glaze, and we take care of the rest. Your finished piece will be ready for pick-up in a few weeks. Tickets include this small-group tutorial and a glass of wine. No experience required, just come eager to play with clay and have some fun. Tickets are $75.
ART OF Play – Saturday, March 4 | 10:00am-11:00am. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Preschool teacher Bentley Drezner will host a fun and collaborative workshop for preschoolers and their caregivers to explore free and easy ways to promote creative play. Bagels, juice, and coffee to follow. Tickets are free.
ART OF Iftar – Sunday, March 12 | 4:00pm-6:00pm. Hosted at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton, this ART OF experience celebrates the customs of Iftar, the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Guests will enjoy tasty bites from Khan Baba Restaurant and insightful conversation during this inter-faith gathering. Tickets are $35.
ART OF Distilling – Thursday, March 9 | 5:30pm-7:00pm. Take a shot and experience the ART OF Distilling. Nestled in the rolling Sourland Mountains of the Hopewell Valley, family-owned Sourland Mountain Spirits lovingly distills, ages, fills, and labels award-winning spirits highlighted by their double gold medal flagship gin. Led by co-founder, Erica Disch, this intimate tasting experience consists of the exploration of three different Sourland Mountain Spirits. Erica will immerse you in the aromas and flavors of a true craft experience. Tickets are $45.
ART OF The Painted Word: Merging Poetry and Painting – Sunday, April 16 | 3:00pm-5:00pm. Celebrate National Poetry Month with artist Ruthann Traylor, Director of Homefront’s ArtSpace, for this special workshop to learn how to merge the literary and visual arts. Bring your favorite poem, a few lines of verse, or better yet, something you may have written yourself – whatever inspires you to create your own visual art piece. Materials for this all-ages workshop are provided, but you are welcome and encouraged to bring any special items you can use to make the piece your own – old photos, a bit of ribbon, a love letter – and learn how to incorporate them into a collage, mixed media painting, or as your subject for a drawing or painting. Tickets are free.
ART OF Pairing Beer & Cheese – Thursday, June 1 | 5:30pm-7:00pm. Beer lovers and epicureans, don’t miss this unforgettable experience! Charles Nouwen, Beer Sommelier and Master Brewer from Belgium, will take you on a journey to enjoy the best of fine beers and boutique cheeses paired together. Through stories, anecdotes, and fun facts, you will learn why these two historical farm products are made for each other. Four carefully selected pairings along with artisanal breads and fruits will have your tastebuds singing. Tickets are $60.
To reserve your tickets today and learn more, visit artscouncilofprinceton.org. To learn about event sponsorship, contact Emma Stephens at [email protected]
ART OF is supported by Timothy M. Andrews, CBIZ Borden Perlman, Jeniah “Kookie” Johnson & Tom Sheeran, Maryellen McQuade & David Chung, Lydia & Johan Pfeiffer, Tamara Simpkins Franklin, Tina & Daniel Motto, MacLean Agency, McCaffrey’s Markets, Mercadien, PNC Private Bank, Nina & Edward Stelmakh, and Karen & Tom Wilkinson.
The Arts Council of Princeton, a non-profit organization founded in 1967, fulfills its mission of building community through the arts by presenting a wide range of programs including public art projects, exhibitions, performances, free community cultural events, and studio-based classes and workshops. Arts Council of Princeton programs are designed to be high-quality, engaging, affordable and accessible for the diverse population in the greater Princeton region.
