WAE Center News

Virtual Exhibit Open through August 31st Exhibit open through August 20, 2023 at NJMS 2023 brought another summer of joining forces with Arts Access at Matheny and installing a summer exhibit in the halls of New Jersey Medical School. In addition to the work on display at 185 South Orange Avenue, in Newark, a full virtual exhibit is up and able to be viewed! View the exhibit here: https://waegallery.org/events/njms-collaborative-arts-hybrid-exhibit-2023/ Monday, June 26th a Virtual Artists Reception was held, and artists, facilitators, family, fans and friends gathered to view and discuss this year’s exhibit. Six WAE Studio artists joined the reception to speak about their specific piece, in addition to their art practice in general. Christina M, Daniel M, Elliot A., […]

On 06/29/2023, we celebrated our extraordinary cadre of volunteers with a luncheon. It was a joyous occasion filled with warmth and camaraderie. The event provided a platform for our members to actively participate in creating a memorable experience for each volunteer. Members embraced their roles as greeters, servers, and bartenders, fostering an atmosphere of inclusion and unity. The luncheon provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone to meet and learn more about the work that each is doing here at the WAE Center, cultivating a sense of community that is at the core of our mission. These exceptional individuals have dedicated their time, energy, and hearts to supporting our community, and we are truly blessed to have them here. During the […]

June is an exciting time at JSDD. In addition to the great weather and the WAE garden taking bloom, June brings the Annual Meeting. It is a time to come together as a community to reflect on the many accomplishments of the past year and to look towards the coming year. Upon arrival, the Board, residents, family members, staff and guests gathered in Heidi Gallery to view the Wizards of Age exhibit before heading downstairs to the WAE Center. While there is business to attend to at the Annual Meeting it is also a time for residents from JSDD’s 15 homes to gather with one another and catch up. Daniel, Todd, Rachel, and Yael shared their excitement of their upcoming […]

In celebration of National “Take Your Child to Work Day 2023 (04/27/2023), JSDD staff invited their kids to join them for a day of learning and exploration at the WAE Center. 13 young people, between the ages of 8 and 19 participated in the day’s activities. The plan for the day is to give the children a better understanding of what it is that their parents do at their job each day. The day started with a group meeting and a discussion about the history of the WAE Center and its philosophy. The kids were split up into 4 different cohorts as they joined the members in their classes. Members and kids enjoyed sharing lessons in gardening, cooking, conversation group, […]

  “The relationship between mentor and mentee is a symbiotic one.” Yvette Lucas, Manager Prevocational Arts   This wonderful exhibit is a dynamic statement about the day-to-day inner workings of the WAE Center art studios. Ranging from: one-on-one sessions between facilitator and artist, to group workshops, to small group digital collaborations the gamut in materials and structure is wide and deep and full of exploration. Ten mentors and tens of members contributed to this wonderful mélange of texture, subject and materials including: charcoal, collage, digital artwork, fiber art, music composition/album design, soft sculpture, 3-D printing, printmaking, painting, photography, AI – creations, quilting & sewing, pastel and marker drawings, watercolor, weaving and woodworking. Mentors have brought their individual work to the […]