Donations needed as NJ nonprofit says it has until May to save programming
Frontline Arts' $50,000 goal by May 1 is to cover operating costs for the next six months.
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Frontline Arts is the combination of two different entities: the rich history of the Printmaking Center of New Jersey and a later merger with project Combat Paper New Jersey.
The art nonprofit has been creating a sense of community and artistic expression for decades for veterans, frontline health care workers and others interested in papermaking/printmaking. However, if the community doesn't help with monetary donations before May 1, its programs will be in jeopardy.
“We're recognizing that the climate for funds coming from other spaces isn't always going to be necessarily there right now, so we're having a pivot and really rely more on private donations and individual giving," said Board President Giannina Seaman.
Frontline Arts' $50,000 goal by May 1 is to cover operating costs for the next six months. Interim Executive Director Hadley Yates says failure to do so will be a real burden for those who need it most, like veterans.
"To leave their mental bubble, that stories have been repeating over and over again, and to express them can be sometimes the initial incremental steps to be able to process one's experience and to reclaim it," said Yates.
With the nonprofit’s Frontline Paper program and workshops, that process begins with taking the symbolic materials of military uniforms, for example.
"Deconstruct them, reclaim them into paper pulp, and then use that unique symbolic paper in order to communicate their experiences," said Yates.
The late Jim Fallon, an Army medic in Vietnam and a program participant, used this nonprofit to process about a time when a schoolgirl saved his life overseas by telling him to turn around. He listened and survived, but the girl was shot that day.
"It's called 'U-turn' and on it, it says, 'She was gone, and there's nothing I can do,'" said Yates.
As May nears closer, Board President Seaman said any donation amount will help.
A $50 donation will help with art supplies for a printmaking student, $250 will give a scholarship to a print or papermaking class and $14,000 adds up to one month of operating expenses.
At last check, Seaman said they’re close to 40% of their goal.
Donations can be made via GoFundMe or at FrontlineArts.org/donate.
