Middlesex County celebrates Pride Month and more this June with a spectrum of arts and culture events

Residents can enjoy a range of free exhibitions and events 

virtually promoted by the Middlesex County Arts Institute

WHAT:               The Arts Institute of Middlesex County is presenting, promoting, and supporting a multitude of arts and culture events, exhibitions, and shows throughout the month of June. The month is packed with exciting programming primarily centered around Pride Month. While the pandemic has affected in-person events, artists all over the County and the Middlesex County Arts Institute have come together to find creative ways of connecting residents through public art, virtual experiences, and safe performances. The County’s Arts Institute has helped partners navigate this new environment with engaging and thought-provoking experiences. These events can be accessed virtually every Wednesday at 4 pm and are free to enjoy for all County residents and beyond.

June’s event highlights include:

• June 2 @ 4 pm – In celebration of Pride Month, join the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick in a reading of Frog and Toad Are Friends, written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel. Learn about the powerful meaning of friendship and how it comes in different shapes and colors. After learning about friendship, create your own animal sketches.
• June 9 @ 4 pm – Join the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick in a reading of Harriet Gets Carried Away, written and illustrated by Jessie Sima. Discover the joy of remembering where you come from, no matter how far you roam, or what you are wearing when you get there. After the reading, get carried away making your own costumes!
• June 16 @ 4 pm – Join the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick in a reading of Julian is a Mermaid, written and illustrated by Jessica Love. Embrace the fun of dressing up and being your true self. We will be joined by special guest reader Drag Queen Aaliyah Martinez. Come ready to show off your best mermaid outfit.
• June 23 @ 4 pm – Learn about Frida Kahlo, and the ways she used portraiture to express her emotions in Frida Kahlo: The Artist Who Painted Herself, written by Margaret Frith and illustrated by Tomie DePaola. After the reading, get ready to draw your own self-portrait in Kahlo’s style!
• June 30 @ 4 pm – Explore the meaning of community building in a reading of When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community, written by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Christopher Lyles. We will be joined by special guest reader Middlesex County Director of Business Engagement Sandy Castor. After the reading, join us for a conversation with Ms. Castor as we talk about the ways we define and imagine our neighborhoods.

WHEN:               June 2021

WHERE:             Virtually throughout Middlesex County, visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Artsculture for full details on all the events listed above and many more! Registration details and links to live stream events are available.

WHO:                  To honor Pride Month, the Arts Institute will present a series of videos and content on www.middlesexcountynj.gov/PrideMonth. Please visit throughout the month of June for more exciting programs.

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