'A Life in the Arts' Interview with Acclaimed Artist, Portia Munson

Earlier this week, we had a chance to chat with Portia about her work and her career. 

The image above was part of an installation Portia had at Olana last summer. 

Here’s the video, which is also on our YouTube Channel: 

Thank you, Portia, for sharing part of her story with us!

Upcoming Shows for Portia Munson:

Portia has a number of solo shows scheduled for the summer. 

> Memento Mori is the name of the show at the Pamela Salisbury Gallery in Hudson, NY which will run from June 11 to July 24; See: https://pamelasalisburygallery.com 

> ‘Portia Munson: Flood’ will be included in a solo show at Art Omi in Ghent, NY this summer from June 25 through September 25;  See: https://www.artomi.org

> ‘Portia Munson: Bound Angel’ is a solo show at PPOW Gallery in New York City that will run from July 7 to August 19; See: www.ppowgallery.com 

>  Her work will also be presented in a group show entitle ‘Women’s Work’ at Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, NY that will run from May 26 through September 26; See: www.lyndhurst.org 

> Portia's work will also be featured in 'A Sense of Place: Artists from the Woodstock Masters Series' which will run from August 13 through September 5 at the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild; See: https://www.woodstockguild.org/exhibitions/2022-exhibitions/ 

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. 

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'A Life in the Arts' with Actor and MCC Artistic Director, Robert Lupone

Last week we had the pleasure and honor of interviewing Robert Lupone - a multi-hyphenate talent as an actor and one of the founders and current artistic director of the MCC Theater. 

From Julliard to A Chorus Line, the New School to the MCC Theater - his influence on theater arts in America is far-ranging and deep. You’ll learn more about it all in his interview here: 

We’re grateful to Robert for sharing part of his story with us!

More about the MCC Theater 

Founded in 1986 as MANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY, MCC began as a collective of young actors, writers, and directors determined to steer their own artistic development and redefine the NY theater scene with the kind of stories they wanted to see on the stage.  

Today MCC produce seasons of BOLD new plays and musicals by exceptional PLAYWRIGHTS daring to explore. For Moore about their programs and shows, see: wwwmcctheater.org

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. 

Announcing our 2022-2023 Community Grants Application

 Call for entries -- 2022 Masterwork Arts Community Grant Opportunities

June 18 Update: Thank you to all who submitted an application. We recevied a tremendous response in terms of both volume and quality. Awardees will be announced by the end of the month.  

May 2022

 

5 Community Arts Grants Available!

Apply to masterworkarts@gmail.com by midnight Friday, June 17 to be considered for the 2022-2022 grant season.

Each year, The Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation issues a number of community grants to organizations or individuals striving for excellence in the arts. This year, our Board has refined the criteria and expanded our offerings. For the 2022-2023 community grant season, we’ll be giving out five grants. Two grants will be given at the $1,000 level, with one going to a Theater Arts program. Three additional grants will be issued at the $500 level. The call is for individual aspiring artists and arts organizations located in the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are encouraged to apply. 

 

Here are more specifics on our grant criteria: 

 

• We’re looking for the best proposals for arts projects that encompasses fine and performing arts - including music, dance, the visual arts, and nonprofit theatrical productions that engage the community. 
• Volunteer involvement is an important factor. Please explain how volunteers will be engaged for your submission.
• Individual aspiring artists and arts organizations in New Jersey and New York are encouraged to apply.
• Works that illustrate a commitment to excellence in the arts -- either through theme or by design will receive greater consideration.
• Note that this award is not intended to cover operating expenses or support for a fundraising initiative.
• 2021 Community Grant Awardees should not apply. 
• Applicants will need to email masterworkarts@gmail.com for an official form and then submit the completed form to masterworkarts@gmail.com by midnight  Friday, June 17, 2022. 
• Applicants should identify how The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation will be recognized in relation to the work. 
• Awardees agree to be featured in Masterwork Arts promotional materials and promote Masterwork Arts offerings.

 

Awardees will be notified the week of June 26, 2022. 

 

How to apply:

Email masterworkarts@gmail.com for your application. Fill it out and email it back to masterworkarts@gmail.com  before midnight Friday, June 17. 

 

For questions about the above contact masterworkarts@gmail.com

 

   The Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation

   Supporting Excellence in the Arts

   www.masterworkarts.org  

   718-964-8841

   Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

 

 

#MasterworkArts #LovetheArtist #LovetheArts 

-- 

 

'A Life in the Arts' Spring Series

May 2022

The excitement of Spring is doubled for us even our roster of ‘A Life in the Arts’ subjects! 

Our Spring series offers a wide range of remarkable guests. Here’s the schedule: 

• Monday, May 9 at 8pm – Robert Lupone, Actor and Artistic Director of the MCC Theater

• Monday, May 16 at 8pm – Peggy Gould, Dancer, Choreographer and dance faculty member at Sarah Lawrence College

• Monday, May 23 at 8pm – Portia Munson, World-class visual artist

• Monday, May 30 at 8pm – Denise Hurlin, Dancer, Founder of Dancers Responding to AIDS

• Monday, June 6 at 8pm - Kristen Lessard, Park Ranger at Weir Farm National Park

• Monday, June 13 at 8pm – Marcus Zillox, Esteemed visual artist

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. 

To find out more, sign up for our enewsletter on www.masterworkarts.org.

A Life in the Arts with Wayne Walters - Music Is His Life

 A Life in the Arts with Wayne Walters - Masterwork’s very own multi-hyphenated musical talent

March 2022

“As musicians, our job is to be there so other people can learn this wonderful art…there’s nothing like the art of being able to sing.” Wayne Walters

We’re particularly pleased to feature Wayne’s story in ‘A Life in the Arts’ as Wayne is on the Board of the Masterwork Music and Art Foundation (www.masterworkarts.org) and has been instrumental in developing our premier award offering. 

In our interview with Wayne, he walks us through his career from the very beginning to today. Still actively performing, conducting and composing, Wayne’s story proves committing to excellence in the arts doesn’t have to have an end date.   

Enjoy the video on our YouTube channel. 

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. To find out more, sign up for our enewsletter on www.masterworkarts.org.

A Life in the Arts with Michael Francis McBride and Samuel Lee Roberts - Dynamic in Dance and Life

 

March 2022

Our interview with Michael and Sam is likely to put a smile on your face, as their enthusiasm for the arts radiates. While they met and shared a career with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Sam is now pursuing acting and Michael is interested in musical theater.  Enjoy their amazing story on our YouTube channel!  

Enjoy this clip of them performing Robert Battle’s Strange Humors, which we discussed during the interview: 

And here's a clip showing some of their commercial work together. It's a Gild Hall Promotional Video.

Michael’s Work: 

For more information about Michael, visit: www.michaelfrancismcbride.com

You can follow him on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Sam’s Work: 

For more information about Samuel, visit: www.samuelleeroberts.com

You can follow him on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. To find out more, sign up for our enewsletter on www.masterworkarts.org.

Hometown Concert Organist Returns for a Special Performance

June 14 Update: We have a new date for 'In Concert with Colin Lynch' -- July 21! Join us to celebrate his Premier Award from Masterwork, a $10, 000 grant to advance his music career. To get tickets, see:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-event-date-for-in-concert-with-masterwork-awardee-colin-lynch-tickets-366515436537?fbclid=IwAR2LMjVN_6Rc8krddYf_Grl6YHPmUtJwAW5NUOa8xpTdGdzXfSMlpKHIBig

Don't miss Colin Lynch performing at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, Saturday, March 19th

The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation, a NJ-based nonprofit dedicated to excellence in the arts, is pleased to present an organ recital by its Premier Awardee, Colin Lynch.  

The concert will take place Saturday, March 19th at 4pm at the historic St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Morristown, NJ. Lynch will present a program of works by composers such as Florence Price, Camille Saint-Saëns, Maurice Duruflé and Charles-Marie Widor. Lynch specially selected the program for the organ at St. Peter’s, which he knows well. "The organ at St. Peter's is one of the finest in the country, and I look forward to playing some of my favorite repertoire on this fantastic instrument," said Lynch.   

The concert is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. A reception will follow, to celebrate Colin and community arts leader, Tom Werder, Executive Director of Morris Arts, the popular area community arts organization. A portion of donations received will be applied to a special grant for Morris Arts: https://www.morrisarts.org/.  

Lynch received the Masterwork Music and Art Foundation Premier Award in recognition of his musicianship and advocacy for organ performance. “Colin is an incredible artist, and we at Masterwork Arts are looking forward to sharing this beautiful program with the public,” said Masterwork Executive Director, Todd Whitley. Lynch is currently associate director of music and organist for Trinity Church in Boston, and also tours as a concert organist. He holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Yale University and Northwestern University. Lynch’s concert organist site can be found at www.colinlynchorgan.com.

Designed at the turn of the 19th century by the storied architectural firm McKim, Mead and White, the St. Peter's Episcopal Church is a beautiful space that provides ample seating and social distancing. The event will be held in accordance with local Covid safety guidelines. 

Advance registration is appreciated, and donations can also be made via the event site: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-concert-with-organist-colin-lynch-tickets-287827699397?aff=ebdssbdestsearch   

About Masterwork Arts

In addition to the Premier Award, this year Masterwork also provided over $5,700 in grants to NY, NJ and CT-based arts organizations via its Community Arts Awards. Masterwork also provides free online dance classes and a free online series, “A Life in the Arts,” which celebrates people who have dedicated their lives to the arts. To learn more and sign up for updates and events, see: http://www.masterworkarts.org/. 

For questions or more information about the event or the Masterwork Foundation, please email masterworksarts@gmail.com. 

A Life in the Arts with Tlisza Jaurique - A Renaissance Artist for our Times

February 2022

In this interview with Mexican/Latinx multidisciplinary artist, scholar, and educator Tlisza Jaurique, we're given a retrospective of her career and the evolution of her art. This is a particularly stunning visual display. 

To view the interview, visit our YouTube channel.

Tlisza's Work: 

You may follow Tlisza on both Facebook (See: https://www.facebook.com/tlisza.jaurique ) and Instagram.

Tlsza's work has been presented in a number of major museums and in private collections, but one way to experience her work as a muralist is to visit La Barca Cantina, New York City's first and only Mexican restaurant. Find out more here: www.labarcacantina.com    

What's Next for Tlisza: 

• Over the summer Tlisza will be working with the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. Find our more here: www.figgeartmuseum.org
• This coming Fall Tlisza and her husband, Marcus Zillioux, will have a duo exhibit at Unison Arts in New Paltz, New York. You can find out more about Unison Arts here: www.unisonarts.org  

We're grateful Tlisza shared her story and artistry with us! Thank you!

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. To find out more, sign up for our enewsletter on www.masterworkarts.org.

Organist Colin Lynch - In Concert at St. Peter's

June 14 Update: We have a new date for this event, July 21 at 5! We'll still be at St. Peters. Find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-event-date-for-in-concert-with-masterwork-awardee-colin-lynch-tickets-366515436537

Join us for a special concert from this year's Masterwork Music and Art Foundation Premier Awardee, Colin Lynch, at the historic St. Peter's Espiscopal Church in Morristown, New Jersey.

The concert will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 4:00pm and will run for an hour. 

Following the concert there will be a reception, where Masterwork will toast Colin and honor local community arts leader, Tom Werder, Executive Director of Morris Arts. 

Tickets to this event are free, though donations to the Masterwork Music and Art Foundation are encouraged. VIP donors will enjoy reserved seating and event recognition.  A portion of the proceeds from this event with go to the Morris Arts organization in a special grant. 

Attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets in advance here!

About Colin

Colin Lynch is currently the Associate Director of Music and Organist for the Trinity Church in Boston, which he juggles alongside a solo performance career. He holds degrees from Oberlin, Yale and Northwestern.  You can find out more about Colin at: https://www.colinlynchorgan.com 

About St.Peter's Episcopal Church

St. Peter's Episcopal Church has been ministering the Morristown community for over 200 years, spreading the Gospel through preaching, music, education, and outreach. For more about St. Peter's, visit: www.stpetersmorristown.org 

About Masterwork Arts

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. To find out more, sign up for our enewsletter on www.masterworkarts.org.

Free Zoom Dance Classes

February 2022

Has the cold weather and short days got you down? Break out of your winter funk by moving more. 

Masterwork Arts offers free open dance classes that are available to anyone who is interested in getting stronger and feeling better. Of course, the dancing part is fun, too! 

Join us!

About the Class

The format of the hour and a half long class offers a forty five minute warm up that pulls from a number of dance disciplines and includes some floor exercises meant to strengthen back muscles.  There’s a section on across the floor technique and a small choreography at the end. Participants are encouraged to modify exercises and may opt-out of any section they choose. 

 

Classes are offered on Saturdays at 10:30am and Tuesdays at 6:00pm. Zoom invites are sent out early the day of each class. 

Email masterworkarts@gmail.com to receive an invite. 

 

About the Instructor

Todd Whitley began his dance career as an adult, accumulating live, broadcast and film performances while maintaining a career as a digital strategist for nonprofits. He has received grants for a number of community based choreography projects and has been teaching classes for the past eight years. He feels strongly about the benefits of dance, both physical and as a tool to unlock creative thinking and problem solving.

 

About Fees

These classes are FREE! 

 

There are no fees for class. However, participants are encouraged to support three community-based organizations that support the arts:

• The Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation ( www.masterworkarts.org )

The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation

PO Box 1116

Madison, NJ  07940

• The Friends of Beattie-Powers ( www.beattiepowers.org ) 

Friends of Beattie-Powers

P.O. Box 453

Catskill, NY 12414

•  The Athens Cultural Center  ( www.athensculturalcenter.org ) 

The Athens Cultural Center

24 Second Street

Athens, New York 12015

 

Each of these organizations is promoting this offer in-kind. 

 

As with any dance class or school, neither The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation, nor the instructor are liable for individual injuries sustained in or out of class. 

 

For more information and to be receive class invites, email masterworkarts@gmail.com . 

 

#MasterworkArts

#LovetheArtist

#LovetheArts

#Dance

The Winter Series of 'A Life in the Arts'

February 2022

We’re thrilled to announce the roster of our winter series of interviews for ‘A Life in the Arts,’ where we interview people who’ve dedicated their lives to the arts in various capacities. 

Our winter series offers a wide range of remarkable guests. Here’s the schedule: 

•  Monday, February 28, 2022: Tlisza Jaurique - Tlisza Jaurique is a Mexican/Latinx multidisciplinary artist, scholar, and educator. She uses her inherited indigenous upbringing and aesthetics intertwined with her background in Philosophy as a foundation for her artistic practice.She has a B.A. in Philosophy from Vassar College. She has a Master’s in Art Education from ASU and continued with her Doctoral studies in Education in Curriculum/Instruction. She teaches, lectures and builds curriculums in Studio Art, Art History, Philosophy, World Religions and History with special emphasis on Native American Cultures, past and present. She has consulted, exhibited, lectured and worked with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Smithsonian Latino Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (she was the first Mexicana/Xicana to exhibit at the Met), David Rockefeller Center for Latino Studies at Harvard, the Latino Cultural Center at Yale University. She received the prestigious Community Scholar Award from the Smithsonian Native American Awards Program at the National Museum of Natural History. She was a resident scholar and visiting artist for the Southwest Borderlands Initiative Chicana/o Studies Department at ASU. She received the Artists’ Fellowship Grant. In 2020 she was the recipient of the NDN Collective Artist Grant and the United States Artist Grant. 

Later this year she will be exhibiting with fellow artist Marcus Zilliox at Unison Arts in New Paltz ( https://www.unisonarts.org/) 

•  Monday, March 7, 2022: Michael F. McBride and Samuel Roberts - Michael and Samuel are married performers who met during their tenure as principal artists at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Both continue to create and perform - exploring new genres working as freelance artists.

For more information about Michael, see: www.michaelfrancismcbride.com. For more information about Samuel, see: www.samuelleeroberts.com) 

•  Monday, March 14, 2022: Betsy Jacks — Betsy is the Executive Director of the Thomas Cole Historic Site (www.thomascole.org) and has been responsible for elevating awareness of the founder of America’s first art movement internationally, while ensuring his legacy remains vibrant and relevant today. 

•  Monday, March 21, 2022 Wayne Walters — Singer, Teacher, Composer, Conductor — Wayne’s contributions to music are extraordinary. Somehow he also managed to found the Morris Choral Society (www.morrischoralsociety.org )over forty years ago, touring the world and conducting for this group as recently as last December. 

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. To find out more, sign up for our enewsletter on www.masterworkarts.org.