"Meet the Artist"
By Felicia L. Niven
The fifth graders watched in excited anticipation as visiting artist Chanelle René set up the oven, the colorful polymer clay, and the supplies. She turned to the group of aspiring artists and asked a pivotal question, “What color are frogs?”
This is the Schultz-Hill Foundation in action, bringing the arts alive in vibrant color, from the beautiful blues, oranges, and purples—which as it turns out are the colors of frogs in nature—to the inspiring introduction to art, music, history, and more for students, seniors, and community members in the greater Atlantic City region.
In this most recent program, over 300 students from Principle Academy Charter School had a firsthand look at what it takes to create art, and have it displayed in a museum. Schultz-Hill Foundation worked in collaboration with the Noyes Arts Garage at Stockton University, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Atlantic City Arts Foundation. The second through sixth graders worked with a visiting guest artist at school. Then, over a two-day span, the students visited the Noyes Arts Garage to see some of their artwork on display. They toured the African American History Museum and visited the murals throughout Atlantic City.
Students are just one focus of the Foundation, which also funds the Senior Music Series and the Mighty Writers Program. In fact, Schultz-Hill has a deep and broad influence throughout Atlantic County, with its DINA grants funding programs like MudGirls Studios Empowering Women, Atlantic City Arts Foundation, Historic Cold Spring Village education programs, and Bay Atlantic Symphony, among others.
The Schultz-Hill Foundation organizes one annual benefit concert to make this possible. It is the primary fundraiser to support a year of arts outreach programming.
Mark Your Calendar: Tony Danza: Standards & Stories
This year’s benefit features beloved actor, singer, and performer Tony Danza at the Superstar Theater at Resorts Casino Hotel on Friday, August 16 at 8:30 pm. Tony Danza and his four-piece band are making their debut at Resorts with their hit live show, Standards & Stories. Combining timeless music with wit, charm, storytelling, and a dash of soft shoe and ukulele performances, Danza performs a selection of his favorite standards from the Great American Songbook while interweaving stories about his life and personal connection to the music.
The hit live show has entertained audiences around the country with The New York Times raving “Tony’s a live wire who tap-dances, plays the ukulele, tells stories and radiates irresistible charm… He exudes the kind of charisma that can’t be taught!” Broadway World said, “His voice and showmanship are a welcome reminder of why the standards are just that because they're timeless.” “The man has TRUE stage presence like we don’t see anymore. His singing voice is on par with any of the great performers of yesteryear or any year. Seeing Tony Danza on stage in your lifetime is a must,” said Scott Spears of WWGH Radio.
Danza has been one of the world’s most beloved and iconic entertainers for over 40 years. Perhaps best known for his starring roles on two of television’s most cherished and long-running series, Taxi and Who’s The Boss, Tony has also starred in hit films such as Angels in the Outfield, She’s Out of Control, Hollywood Knights, and Don Jon. Well-established as a song and dance man, Tony has also starred on Broadway in The Producers, A View from the Bridge, and most recently received rave reviews for his performance in the Broadway musical comedy, Honeymoon in Vegas, with the New York Times calling his performance “sly genius,” and a “career high.” He received an Emmy nomination for his guest spot on The Practice and has recently made special appearances on hit shows like Blue Bloods and Broad City.
Resorts Casino Hotel is a presenting sponsor of the event. Limited $175-per-person VIP tickets include VIP Seating and a post-show VIP Dessert & Champagne Disco Party. VIP tickets may be purchased on the Schultz-Hill website at www.schultz-hill.org. General admission seating tickets are $40; preferred seating tickets are $60. Both are available through Ticketmaster or at the Resorts box office.