Note from our WAE Center Director

From the Desk of Harry Klein, Director, JSDD WAE Center When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the WAE community over 2 years ago, the staff scrambled to figure out how to stay connected with our members. By May of 2020, we were hosting 4 virtual classes per week. This was a huge accomplishment for those of us who had never even heard of zoom before! This new virtual program was named “WAE to Connect”. Fast forward to summer 2022 and this program has grown its class roster to exceed 25 classes a week while including Physical and Occupational Therapies along with 1:1 interactive engagement opportunities.  WAE to Connect, was being managed by myself and Anthonice Lauriston. While working to get the WAE […]

Meet Lead Artist Tim Folzenlogen and WAE Center artists who created “The Identity Project” Sunday, May 15, 2-4 pm – Public Reception New Jersey Medical School | 185 S. Orange Ave. | Newark

Stephen Schwartz is known for his architecture and his Building Blocks Workshops. Here, he shares with us his love of LEGOs and how he worked with WAE Center artists to combine architecture and LEGOs for “The Empire State Chair.”

West Orange, NJ, artist Mansa Mussa has worked with WAE Center artists before. Here he talks about how the “WAE of the Zen” Chair came together through the power of collaboration and inclusion. What is your education and background as an artist?I earned a BA in Media Arts/Television Production at New Jersey City University. I studied visual art with Professor Emeritus Ben Jones at NJCU, and traditional West African dance with Rhonda C. Morman at NJCU. I’ve worked professionally in the fields of dance, percussion, collage, photography, mixed media, graphic design, shadow boxes, iPadology, and installations. 2.  What inspires you?My daughter, Abeni Adura Mussa, my greatest work of art, and the work of artists around the world, particularly the work of […]

Livingston artist Ellen Hanauer shares how working with WAE Center artists on the “Love Seat” and “Ascend” chair opened her heart, and why she chose to work with all the Center’s artists, rather than a few. 1.  What is your education and background as an artist?I earned a BFA from Syracuse University in advertising design, and studied human body in cadaver labs/lectures at UMDNJ to prepare me as a sculptor. 2.  What inspires you?Nature, science, including biology and physics – specifically anatomy, embryology and quantum physics –prehistory, spirituality, and prayer 3. How would you describe your artistic style and your process?My work has been described as original, organic and experimental. I am interested in things that are hidden – worlds that exist […]