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Big Art! Art on a Grand Scale! Public art is very often large, something that creates interest and “buzz” and beauty in the public arena. With Metuchen’s recent efforts to put the Arts at the heart of its public life, it is a natural progression that the Borough, through the Metuchen Arts Council, commision a piece of highly visible art.

Enter “Mud making Magic:” a ceramic mural that will eventually cover the entire exterior of the cement block storage building near the Grove Avenue tennis courts. And one of the most exciting aspects of this project is that anyone in the community who wishes can have creative input into the artwork.

With The Seasons as the theme, each side of the building will reflect life in Metuchen during that season of the year. Ceramic artist Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella will develop the overall abstract design. The first side, “Summer,” will be composed of roughly 80 clay tiles.

Each participant in the project will receive an irregular 12” X 12” shape of clay to freely impress and/or sculpt as they wish. A donation of $25 per tile is requested from each participant to cover the cost of the clay.

Anyone wishing to get “hands in clay” should register and select one of the six two-hour learn/work sessions scheduled for each weekend in March at the Metuchen Senior Center. There, each participant can sculpt an original design in his or her tile. A general introduction will be given at the beginning of each session. The sessions will be held on: Saturday, March 8th, 10 a.m. to noon; Sunday, March 9th, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, March 15th, 10 a.m. to noon; Sunday, March 16th, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m. to noon; Sunday, March 23, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Deadline to register to work on the “Summer” mural is Feb. 20, 2014.

Registration Forms are available at the Marifiki Fair Trade Store at 20 New Street in Metuchen, on the Borough website (www.metuchennj.org), and Facebook Page, and on the “Mud making Magic” Facebook Page. Visit any of those to find out more information and to get involved, or simply call Nancy Goldberg at the Metuchen Arts/Recreation Office at 732-632-8502.

This public mural project is currently funded in part by the Metuchen Arts Council, with additional support by each individual who pays $25 per tile to participate. Anyone interested in additional sponsorships should contact Nancy Goldberg at 732-632-8502 or ngoldberg@metuchen.com