buzzworthy
Montclair
MAKE ( JUSTALITTLE ) WAYFOR TINY ART GALLERIES
First there were Little Free Libraries . Then there were Little Free Pantries . Now , if alocal woman has her way , there will be Little Free Art Galleries dotting Montclair ’ sstreets . With the help of Seattle-based friend and artist Yana Rodin , Amazon Fashion copy director Francesca Castagnoli created Montclair ’ s first TINY ART GALLERY outside her Stanford Place home . Inside a3-by-2-foot wooden box on astand hung 12 tiny watercolor paintings and 12 unframed landscapes . The Rodin exhibit remained there until the beginning of April , when she sent the works to other tiny galleries ; the first stop was in Seattle , where Rodin has spearheaded a100-day “ Tiny Art Challenge ” to area artists . The artworks are available for purchase after their exhibitions . “ I work for the biggest company ,” says Castagnoli . “ Today , everything ’ s big and overwhelming . It ’ s abeautifulthing to see someone stopping by to look at tiny art .”
— JULIA MARTIN
Montclair
SHARING LGBTQ + STORIES
Books featuring LGBTQ + characters and stories have been disappearing from some schools in recent years . In response , volunteers at OUT MONTCLAIR , the LGBTQ + nonprofit , have accelerated efforts to promote inclusive books , launching anew initiative called Pride on the Page to get books by and about LGBTQ + people in young children ’ s hands . Pride on the Page is donating these books to Montclair area preschools that are their partners for the start ofthe initiative . Research shows there are benefits to reading to young children when they ’ re open to ideas , says Sheila Frye , founder of Little Free Diverse Libraries of Montclair , which adds books related to diversity to local little free libraries .
Out Montclair collaborated with LGBTQ + parents , educators , historians and reading specialists to compile abook list for preschool-age readers that includes “ All Are Welcome ,” by Alexandra Penfold ; “ All Moms ,” by Sarah Kate Ellis ; “ The Family Book ,” by Todd Parr ; and “ Fiona Flamingo ,” by Rachael Urrutia Chu . Schools or groups that want to participate can contact Out Montclair Families , the nonprofit ’ s program for LGBTQ + parents and parents of LGBTQ + children .
— SAMMY GIBBONS
Montclair
FRIENDSOFTHE HOWE HOUSE HONORED
FRIENDS OF THE HOWE HOUSE , acommunity coalition dedicated to preserving the historic home of James Howe , Montclair ’ s first Black homeowner , was one of five groups honored atthe YWCA Northern New Jersey 2023 Racial Justice Awards on April 19 . The event , held at the Montclair Art Museum , paid tribute to North Jersey individuals who “ demonstrate leadership byworking to eliminate racism and promote peace , justice , freedom and dignity for all .” Friends ofthe Howe House received the award for purchasing the home in February , before it could be bought by adeveloper . Howe House is one of the oldest structures inMontclair , dating to the Revolutionary era , and is an important part of the story of freedom and slavery , the development ofaBlack community , and the founding of Montclair as atown .
— RICARDO KAULESSAR
TINY ART GALLERY : JULIA MARTIN ; STORIES : ANNE-MARIE CARUSO ; HOWE HOUSE : DANIELLE PARHIZKARAN
6 MAY 2023 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE