A little green jewel-like beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), has arrived in Hopewell Valley and its effects will be devastating. EAB threatens the entire North American Fraxinus (Ash) genus. Ash trees are one of the primary native trees in Hopewell Valley and can be found on public property and in forests and yards though our area.
Hopewell Township is being proactive in the fight to protect our ash trees. (For more information, go to https://www.haveyoursayhopewelltwp.org/Emerald-Ash-Borer.) Due to the nature of the attack, it is very difficult to determine which trees have already succumbed. As a result, many ash trees, some infected and some yet to be infected, must be taken down to insure public safety.
To commemorate the virtual loss of this beautiful American tree, and in the spirit of the HV Arts Council’s ongoing upcycling theme – making art out of trash and typically discarded items – we will be kicking of a new initiative called Out of the Ashes. This initiative will include a diverse series of art programs, exhibits and community events to be held throughout 2018.
Our first Out of the Ashes event will be at Pennington Day 2018. This year, we’re kicking-off Out of the Ashes, our year-long art initiative commemorating the devastating loss of the ash tree, one of the primary native trees in Hopewell Valley. For more about Out of the Ashes, please check out this link.
Ash wood will abound this Pennington Day with opportunities for the community to view and make art! We’ve teamed up with Howell Living History Farm for a hands-on craft of cutting and painting wood shingles. Local resident Hank Snyder will display his antique seed packet art collection, and local wood carvers Scott Fulmer and Stan Saperstein will demonstrate their their skills.
Throughout 2018 and 2018, there will be many ways for artists and non-artists to participate….so stay tuned!