Morris County Community Collaboration Honors the Arts and America

Artwork by Janet O’Neil, professor of graphic design, program coordinator of graphic design and a fine artist, and Caitlin Halpin, a junior graphic design major on the Florham Campus, will be on display locally for America’s 250th birthday.

“I am a huge proponent of creating socially responsible projects that raise awareness of important issues,” says O’Neil. “In FDU’s graphic design program, we emphasize the designer’s role as a catalyst for social change and how a strong educational foundation can help direct people’s careers.”

Together with 1776 Morristown, Morris Arts, the Morris County Economic Development Alliance and the Morris County America 250 Committee, FDU is participating in a community art project honoring Morristown, N.J.’s role in the founding of the United States.

“We’re celebrating a place where history happened,” says Sue Vorcheimer, director of marketing at 1776 Morristown. “We want to be a place where people can experience art, start conversations and reflect on the vision of our nation’s founders and the ideals of freedom, liberty and community that inspire us.”

The result, Vorcheimer says, is a project that belongs to the entire community.

“Rocking the Declaration,” by O’Neil, will be on display throughout the summer at 1776 Morristown — ultimately the piece will be auctioned off to benefit FDU’s graphic design program and Morris Arts. Complimentary commemorative postcards of the artwork will be available at the restaurant for guests to take home.

“Morris Arts is proud to partner on a project that makes art accessible to everyone while supporting local artists,” said Cyndall Brice, program manager.

Inspired by the ideals of freedom, unity and civic pride, “Rocking the Declaration” depicts George Washington rocking out on a stars and stripes electric guitar. “I am a big fan of classic rock and Jersey singer/songwriters Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. Like both singers, George Washington was an agent for change. I envisioned him making music for the Declaration,” says O’Neil.

For Halpin’s part, she illustrated an original Morristown map detailing some of the town’s historic landmarks, focusing on the Morristown Green. She also created a map of FDU’s Florham Campus. The maps will be made into prints and distributed at open houses and other events.

“I decided to get ahead on my major and take a summer class, Creative Concept Drawing, with Professor O’Neil. She told me about the project on the first day of class — a golden opportunity,” says Halpin. “Drawing has always felt like breathing. But I never imagined it as a career until around age 12, when I got my hands on the old family iPad. That’s when I started teaching myself how to create digital art, which can be a significant learning curve for traditional artists who want to dabble in both forms of media. In this case, the challenge was to make sure that the maps didn’t feel too crowded.” She opted to add just a few surrounding locations, 1776 and the post office, and one statue beyond the Green, of Morris Frank, founder of The Seeing Eye, and his dog, Buddy.

1776 Morristown kicks off its USA 250 Summer Celebration with an evening celebration on July 2 that includes the unveiling of “Rocking the Declaration” at 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception on the main patio at 8 p.m.

“By bringing together history, the arts, education, tourism and community organizations, we’re creating opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages to engage with our history in meaningful and memorable ways,” says Sarah Neibart, mayor of Mendham Township and chairperson of the Morris County America 250 Committee.

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Two FDU Artists Create New Work to Celebrate the USA’s 250th