Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue Partnership invites community residents and visitors to celebrate Black History Month by attending any of the events and activities listed below. It would be wise to call ahead to confirm the details of the activities. Please check the website often, as we will add more events.

Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Ages 5 -12

Saturdays during the month of February enjoy a special Black History Month lesson in art exploring a different African-American Master Artist (Aaron Douglass, William H. Johnson and Faith Ringgold).This program is offered as part of Express Yourself’s Studio Saturdayoffering.The Workshop Fee for this event is $15.

Times: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Monday

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Tuesday

12:45 pm – 1:45 pm Thursday

9:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturday

Ages 2 and up

We are offering free trial classes during the week with curriculum consisting of all genres of dance, including Hip Hop to represent black history month as well as a coloring page and songs.Please contact the studio at 908-241-9595 and press 4 for the Maplewood location or visit our website at dancerspointenj.com

Time:11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Emotions are something we all have but are seldom talked about, especially with children.New author, Tanji Dewberry, seeks to change this dynamic with her debut children's book, Oh Fiddlesticks! Inspired by the coping skills she learned to help her son, Oh Fiddlesticks! strives to begin a healthy dialogue between adults and children about how to combat negative emotions. Express Yourself Studios and Ms. Dewberry will host a day of “Express Your Emotions” children will use art and Oh Fiddlesticks! as a guide to share their emotions.

Children will be given a complimentary, blank cover of Oh Fiddlesticks! to exercise their artistic skills.In addition, during this free event children will meet and hear from the author during a book reading to be held each hour.To learn more about Tanji Dewberry and Oh Fiddlesticks!, visit www.ohfiddlesticksbook.com For additional information or to RSVP for any event please contact Express Yourself Studios 973-763-5256 online,www.expressyourselfstudios.com or via email info@expressyourselfstudios.com.

Time:2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

A presentation by Bianca Monet of the newly formed project dedicated to collecting and preserving first-hand narratives of black visual arts from and/or currently located in Newark.
Like our featured artist Emma Amos, artists who now reside in cities outside of Newark, NJ have ties to Newark that have shaped and continue to impact their artistic endeavors. Bianca Monet will share interviews and videos and/ or photographs from these artists who now live in Maplewood, West Orange, and surrounding communities. 

The art of Emma Amos is on exhibit from February 2nd through March 24^th featuring works which have been seen as a connecting link to European tapestries and the African diaspora.

Time:4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Ages 6 – 12 years

Romare Bearden is famous for his collages depicting Black life in America.Come to the library to make a collage of your own and listen to jazz, an art form influenced by African Americans.

Time:4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Discussion of Ghana’s history and culture along with a demonstration of traditional African turban head wrapping.

Time:7:30 pm

After the HNA meeting at 1978 Art Gallery on Springfield Ave. there will be a viewing and presentation of the work of Emma Amos, a renown artist and former professor at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, and a musical presentation by Bahati Best, a Maplewood singer of jazz and standard tunes. We will serve refreshments. Contact Carol Buchanan via phone at 973-761-4672 or 201-787-7688; Hilton Neighborhood Association, PO Box 1305, Maplewood, NJ 07040

Time:4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Ages 2, 3 w/caregiver (drop off optional)

Dress up, games, crafts and lots of make believe.Make a healthy dessert and have a tea party with a Princess.

Time:2:00 pm

This program is designed for young people to see men and women of color in professions that might appeal to them.Light refreshments will be served.For information call Horace at 973-275-0080.

Come and express yourself. Limited space, please reserve. Call 973-763-2272

Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Come and see what all the excitement is about!

See how Our Gang Travel treats you like Royalty on every one of our cruises! Prizes, Games, Entertainment, Instant Purchase Discounts,Refreshments Served!

During Black History month Astah's Fine Art Gallery will feature self taught artist Tinnetta Bell with an aesthetic eye for photography. She has been working as a professional artist for the past ten years and Astah's Art Gallery has sold several of her originals and prints. Tinnetta's love for photography was discovered by patrons of her work during art shows and events. Come see how Tinnetta can capture your special moments in timeless fashion on Sunday, February 24th at 5pm at Astah's Art Gallery, located at 1897 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040.