by KRISTIN GUGLIETTI
Don Swenson , president of Art Club Hammonton , brought a group of artists together during the COVID- 19 pandemic , and the club continues to flourish .
It all started when Swenson met with local photographer Jon Bradley before the March 2020 lockdowns to discuss reaching more artists in the community .
“ I called Jon Bradley up and I said , ‘ Hey , I think there ’ s an opportunity to reach more artists from that side of the community . Let ’ s talk to some people that we haven ’ t met before and see if we can get them all together to do something that would be different but not take away from the great work that the Hammonton Arts Center has been doing ,” Swenson said .
After meeting at Breadheads Bakery , Swenson
FEELING ARTSY
THE HAMMONTONIAN | OCTOBER 2022 | P . 13
Swenson promoting art through Art Club Hammonton
“ CATASTROPHE ” BY DONALD SWENSON .
reached out to Sue Moerder of Moerder Tattoos & Gallery .
“ Sue invited everyone over to her space and March 1 we had a meeting , but prior to that Sue told [ Executive Director of MainStreet Hammonton ] Cassie [ Iacovelli ] that I was starting a new club and we haven ’ t had a meeting yet . Sue was leaving just as Cassie was walking into Breadheads , and she ’ s like , ‘ Don ’ s got a new club .’ And she ’ s like , ‘ Well you should join the Arts Advisory Council .’ I said , ‘ OK .’ So I go there and I ’ m basically told
DONALD SWENSON .
‘ OK new guy , what are you going to do to help the arts ?’”
Swenson suggested the Art Club could participate in the Third Thursday events held downtown .
However , on March 9 , 2020 , New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency and , on March 15 , 2020 , states began to implement shutdowns in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Because the artists couldn ’ t meet in-person for health and safety reasons , they started a group chat over Facebook . Then one day after seeing one of his Long Island friends broadcasting church services using a program called StreamYard , Swenson began to broadcast Art Club meetings live on Third Thursdays .
“ I was like wow maybe I can do this , something to help connect the arts with the greater community . I called up a bunch of folks who showed up to the first Art Club meeting and I was like I think we can do something for April ,” Swenson said .
Some of the live broadcasts featured crafts , poetry , singing and more .
“ Throughout the pandemic we became a regular Thursday night thing . People watched . People turned in while they were home . We really connected with
A WORK BY DONALD SWENSON . See ART , P . 14