Dumont Shade Tree Commission Announces Second Annual
Art, Poetry & Photography Contest

Dumont’s Second Annual Arbor Day Art, Poetry & Photography contest, sponsored by the new Dumont Shade Tree Commission, is officially underway.

All residents, young and young at heart, are invited to be creative and express what they love about trees in a wide range of medium from pencil sketches to painting, sculpture, photography, poetry, multimedia, and more.  This year a new video category is included, whereby entries will be uploaded for viewing online.  Entries are due on Wednesday April 4th by 3:00 PM at the Library. Students may also submit through their teachers before April 2nd.  Winners will be selected in various age categories and announced during the Arbor Day festivities on April 21st.

This year, in addition to our dedicated teachers from all five schools, the Dumont Shade Tree Commission is excited to announce special guest judges from the Art School at the Old Church Cultural Center in Demarest, as well as Art Center of Northern NJ Watercolor Affiliates (ACWA) member Diane Nafash of River Edge.  “We’re so excited to have fine artists joining us this year,” explain Abbie Slaman and Karen Ravensbergen, tree advocates and this year’s organizers for the contest. “We hope aspiring artists of all ages will be excited about having their work viewed by such distinguished artists and teaching professionals.” 

All artwork will remain on display in the lower level of the Dixon Homestead Library for one month after the Arbor Day celebration.  Participants are requested to pick up their art at the end of the exhibit.  Artists may view slide-shows of last year’s event as well as artwork on the website www.geocities.com/dumontshadetree.

Residents and businesses in Dumont are invited to sponsor the Dumont Arbor Day 2007 Tee-Shirts in support of the contest at $20 for a 20 character line or $40 for 2 lines.  Proceeds from the Tee Shirt Sponsorship will pay for the shirts, prizes and Arbor Day Activities.  Tee Shirt Sponsor forms and checks are due at the Borough Clerk’s Office by 3/23. To download a sponsor form in .PDF format, click here.

The Contest and the Tee-Shirt Sponsor flyers are available on the website.  Paper flyers are available at the Dixon Homestead Library and Borough Hall.  For additional information, please contact Abbie Slaman at -201-384-6024 or Karen Ravensbergen at 201-385-3593, or attend the next volunteer meeting on Saturday, March 17th from 10-noon at the library.  For additional information on the Committee’s activities, please call Sally Tayeb at 917-579-0328.