SUMMIT, NJ – Environmentally-conscious art was one of the themes for Art in the Garden Live at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum on Saturday, May 30th. The event was a fundraiser benefit for the Arboretum, to help take care of the grounds and support horticulture educational programs. Approximately 300 guests were in attendance.
The evening’s lineup included not only the gardens and grounds themselves as highlights, but additionally the artwork on display outside, artwork within the Wisner House, silent and live auctions, and a complete musical program, dancing, food and cocktails to round out the event. Music was provided by the Summit High School Octet, Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Newark Boys Chorus and the Lenox Underground.
One piece of green art on display included sculptures by Jennylynn McNutt called Let Honey Overflow in Infinite Tongues and Let the Ocean Become a Hive, composed of intricately detailed beeswax combined with wire mesh and living plants. Michael McLaughlin and Elaine Lorenz both focused on the interdependence between the environment and humanity in their sculptures, Arborvitae and Konstruct.
Barbara Lubliner’s and Thea Lanzisero’s Tree Gem 1:7, constructed of bamboo, rope, solar lights and recycled bottles was created to raise awareness of recycling, and renewable energy and resources. The bottles, which Lubliner said were included to remind people of how many we use and how to become better stewards of the earth, are representative of crystals, which light up at night after activation by solar power. Lubliner said there are three other sculptures on display in the area at Liberty State Park and the original Tree Gems sculptures were featured on 5th Avenue and 11th Street in New York.
The live auction included items such as a golf lesson with a pro and NASCAR tickets. Silent auction items varied from breakfast with Summit’s Mayor Jordan Glatt, dinner at Soufflé Restaurant, a Summit YMCA Family Membership, and the well-known Trinity Ring donated by Cartier.
The Reeves-Reed Arboretum is celebrating their 35th year after Charles and Ann Reed, the former property owners, suggested the estate be protected as an arboretum. Members of the community united thirty five years ago and Enid Belding of Hobart Avenue led a fund drive to create the Arboretum. The group raised $392,500 and The City of Summit took the property’s title after it donated the balance.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Inc. is a non-profit corporation and the site is now on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The Reeves-Reed Arboretum is located at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit and is open daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is free of charge.
For more information contact 908-273-8787 or see their website: http://www.reeves-reedarboretum.org/
Photo above: Barbara Lubliner posed with her sculpture Tree Gem 1:7.
Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller
Heather Scudellari poses with the Trinity Ring donated by Cartier for the silent auction.
Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller
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Jennylynn McNutt’s Primavera sculpture.
Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller
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A couple strolls the grounds of the arboretum.
Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller
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