Storytellers Spark Joy, Connection to Benefit Arts Education

“Don’t ever doubt the power of connection. Don’t ever doubt the power of a spark.” 

Those are the words of Jim Axelrod. The renowned journalist was among a talented cast of Montclair residents, artists and storytellers who gathered Thursday, April 10, for “SPARK!” – a Montclair Story Salon event to benefit the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE). 

More than 80 people attended the event and raised funds for the organization’s “Arts Open Hearts” initiative, which leverages the arts to boost students’ social and emotional wellness. 

Other performers included author and poet Denise Patrick, Dr. Frances Aboushi, principal of Bradford Elementary School, Bridget Placek, MFEE board co-president and former public school teacher, Nina Lorusso, dance teacher at Renaissance Middle School, singer-songwriter Miranda Ferriss Jones, Buzz Aldrin Middle School art teacher Arin Leard, and the founder of Montclair Story Salon, actress and teacher Liz Samuel. 

Through spoken word, song, dance and painting, each storyteller shared the source of their spark, which included: 

The connection of friendship,  

The joy and fearlessness of poetry, 

The ritual of opening oneself to creativity, 

The power of ideas and conversations, 

The freedom of finding confidence on stage, 

And the purpose and passion of dance. 

Through it all, there were tears, laughter, and oh, there was dancing! 

Principal Aboushi was the top bidder during the live auction for Leard’s painting, which was created during the show. The one-of-a-kind artwork will soon hang in the halls of Bradford school, an enduring memento that will inspire students for years to come. 

Through “Arts Opens Hearts,” MFEE pilots initiatives to foster connection, build confidence, and provide an outlet for self-expression for students in Montclair Public Schools. 

This spring, MFEE is coordinating and funding a semester-long storytelling project with teens and senior citizens. MFEE has previously brought ballroom dance and poetry into Montclair schools. They’ve awarded classroom innovation and social-emotional learning grants to music, dance and art teachers throughout the district – funding Tiny Art Machines, music production equipment, theater and dance choreographers, ballet barres, a class-sized sandbox for sculpture, and much more. And the organization has facilitated giving campaigns to support visual art and marching band programs.

“We’re so grateful to everyone who contributed to this event and who supports arts education in Montclair,” said Masiel Rodriquez-Vars, MFEE’s executive director. “We hope it sparked connection and joy, but also served as a reminder of how vital these programs are and the profound impact they can have on students’ lives.” 

If you would like to support this work, there’s still time to contribute.