Jefferson ARTS Committee Inc

06/19/2026

The Jefferson Arts Committee Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Safie Alilli

On Thursday, May 28, Jefferson Township High School graduating senior Safie Alilli was awarded the Jefferson Arts Committee’s Memorial Scholarship by Jefferson Arts Committee President Carol Punturieri at the JTHS’ Honors & Awards ceremony. This $1,000 memorial scholarship is awarded yearly to a student who will be attending college with plans to major in an arts-related field.

Alilli ranks 33 in her graduating class of 188 with a weighted GPA of 4.114, and has been the recipient of the Presidential Award for her high GPA and the English Award of Excellence for outstanding skills in English class. While at JTHS, she was in Art Club and Mural Painting and has done community service through the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She has also been chosen as a JAC Artist of the Month with her work displayed at the Jefferson Township Public Library.

She has been committed to the arts since she was a child and her love for art has grown during her high school years. While enrolled in an AP Art & Design course at JTHS, Alilli has planned out and executed her portfolio projections in an effective time with authentic ideas. Her career goal is to become a professional interior designer, and she intends to pursue an interior design major at County College of Morris.

Alilli intends to continue building her professional portfolio, creating projects, and enhancing her skills as an artist as she prepares for her first year of college.

The JAC wishes her the very best as she pursues her goals.

06/15/2026

The Jefferson Arts Committee recently held its second annual Photography Exhibit at the White Rock Lake Pavilion. The opening reception on June 11 was well attended by the photographers who participated, many with family and friends. JAC also welcomed the public for refreshments, conversation, and music provided by John Hargreaves.
The public exhibit was visited by many on June 12 and 13 as well.
The exhibit also included historical post cards from the Jefferson Township Historical Society depicting photographs of the early days of the township.
JAC looks forward to next year's event so amateur, semi professional or professional photographers or those who just like to take photos who are residents or work in Jefferson Township should consider participating next year. Adults and children 8 and older will also be eligible to exhibit.
Gollow JAC on Facebook at Jefferson ARTS Committee Inc

06/13/2026

Members of the public are invited to the re-dedication of the Jefferson Township Gazebo recognizing the 25th anniversary of its construction and all the individuals and businesses who were involved in the building project back in 2000.
We encourage attendees to stay for the Jefferson Arts Committee's first concert of the 2026 summer season. There will be 8 more this summer - all FREE.
Both events are free, bring your own chair or blanket for seating, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages.

06/12/2026

If you missed last night's Photography Exhibit reception, there's still time to view the exhibit today (Friday) from 4 to 8 pm or tomorrow (Saturday) 12 noon to 4 pm at the White Rock Lake Pavilion. Stop by to see some beautiful photography and for a beverage and a snack.

06/12/2026

If you missed last night's Photography Exhibit reception, there's still time to view the exhibit today (Friday) from 4 to 8 pm or tomorrow (Saturday) 12 noon to 4 pm at the White Rock Lake Pavilion. Stop by to see some beautiful photography and for a beverage and a snack.

06/11/2026

THE JEFFERSON ARTS COMMITTEE's 2026 FREE SUMMER GAZEBO SCHEDULE

Following a long-standing tradition, one of the Jefferson Arts Committee’s performing arts groups -- The Jefferson Township Community Concert and Jazz Bands -- will open the committee’s 2026 FREE gazebo concert series on Friday evening, June 26th at 6:30 pm. Under the direction of Peter A. Tummillo, Jr., you can always expect a wonderful evening of music by a talented group of musicians.

Bring your family, your friends, and your love of live music along with a chair/blanket for your comfort, and all concerts start at 6:30pm. It’s BYO snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, free parking, family friendly, carry in/carry out trash, and a dedicated port-a-john on site. Frank Capello with return with his LIL ICE Trike Co. ice cream truck to attend many of the concerts offering his delicious frozen treats for sale. And best of all, all concerts are FREE, but a free will donation is always appreciated to help with funding all these concerts.

Then, the FREE concert series continues for the next eight weeks and all concerts start at 6:30pm. In the event of inclement weather, a concert will be relocated into the Jefferson Township High School Auditorium, just up the street at 1010 Weldon Road.

Friday, July 3 features ROSEWOOD playing your favorite hits from the 60s through today including artists like the Beatles, The Pretenders, The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac and Squeeze. Their playlist includes a variety of favorite hits mixed with many forgotten gems from the 50s through today. The band has a synergy that unites an audience, young and old, with a powerful spirit of friendship and family fun.

Friday, July 10 features WONDERLOAF spreading rock 'n' roll like butter on toast! With years of experience, their repertoire of classic rock songs is like being hit by a tidal wave of sound, but in a good way. Not just a band, but a musical experience whose members are not just passionate about music, they're borderline obsessed spending more time with guitars than with their own families.

Friday, July 17 features JUNGLE HABITAT with high-energy celebrating the unforgettable Top 40 hits of the 1970s, delivering a nostalgic journey through the rock, disco, adult contemporary, yacht rock, glam rock, punk rock, sugar pop, rock and roll, country, and power pop classics that defined a generation.
Re-live turning on your transistor radio and listening to 77WABC. And expect several costume changes!

Friday, July 24 features JERSEY SOUND one of the Tri State area's most popular premiere oldies band performing a combination of music genres and creating unforgettable music An eclectic blend of classic oldies, classic rock, Motown, R&B, British Invasion and pop originally recorded by the greatest legends of rock and roll is performed by the band's superb vocalists and a killer rhythm section.

Friday, July 31 features TENNESSEE HONEY as an acoustic-driven contemporary country cover band playing a mix of new country and pop hits from today and the 90's. Their sound is referred to as the "Campfire Sessions" of country and pop/rock cover songs with some Americana, blues, and bluegrass. Kind of classy h***y tonk to Hollywood country with a bit of blues.

Friday, August 7 features OC5 as a high-energy classic & eclectic rock cover band playing a mix of classic rock, R&B, progressive and dance tunes. This six-piece band popular in the Hudson Valley and northern NJ, plays hits you know and love but don’t get to hear often, and they play 70’s to current rock, R&B, progressive and dance with emphasis on strong vocals and close to the cover.

Friday, August 14 features SOME GUYS AND A BROAD a class rock cover band, named the Best Cover Band in the Hudson Valley for three years!!! Specializing in Woodstock- era music as well as other rock, blues and R&B, they perform a nice mix of all your favorite songs – Tina Turner, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, and so much more! And, they claim to have the best female vocalist around!

Friday, August 21 features NAUGHTY HUMPHREY performing popular covers from the 60's thru today, they resurrect those lost classics that have been overlooked and forgotten from among thousands of songs from over music's illustrious history. And you'll be glad they do as they promise to rock your favorite classics unabashedly! If you want variety, they’ve got it.

06/10/2026

06/07/2026

You’re Invited to Visit the JAC Photography Exhibit!

The Jefferson Arts Committee (JAC) is hosting its 2nd annual
photography exhibit displaying the photography of local adults (18+). There is an opening Meet-the-Artist reception on Thursday, June 11 from 7pm to 9pm where the public can meet the photographers, view their work, and enjoy some snacks and beverages while listening to the music of guitarist John Hargreaves. New this year, there is a category for students 17 and younger, giving them an opportunity to display their talent and offering the public a chance to enjoy their work as well.

Additional dates for public viewing are Friday, June 12 from 4pm to 8pm and Saturday, June 13 from 12 noon to 4pm at the White Rock Lake Park’s Clubhouse. The three-day exhibit will be held at the White Rock Lake Park’s Clubhouse (known to many as The Pavilion), 42 White Rock Boulevard in the Milton/Oak Ridge section of Jefferson Township. Admission and parking are free.

Please observe all parking signs on the clubhouse property
and surrounding areas; and when parking on the neighborhood streets, do not block residential driveways. The gate on the property will be open so vehicles can also park on the grassy areas unless signage indicates otherwise.

Please contact the JAC at [email protected]
or call 973-953-3798 or 973-697-3828 for information.

06/01/2026

On behalf of the Jefferson Arts Committee and the Staccioli family, thank you to everyone who visited the Jefferson Township Public Library yesterday afternoon to meet Marc Staccioli, the son of the JAC's June Artist of the Month, the late Moreno Staccioli (1930-2013). The library's art wall displayed numerous art including landscapes, still life and portraits featuring local and Italian scenes and life styles in oil on canvas and board, watercolor and mixed media. The family also displayed photographs, newspaper clippings, etc. while renderings of his work and several small pieces displaying his woodcarver expertise in furniture making were on display as well in the Riker Room (those items were since removed as the room hosts many library activities during the week). Photographs do not do justice to the exhibit, so be sure to stop by the library anytime it's opened through the end of June to view it in person. Many pieces are tagged with information.

Moreno was born in the Tuscany region of Italy in 1930. As a child, he was enrolled in the Institute of Art and Design. Being so near Florence, he was formally trained in the techniques of the iconic Renaissance painters and European masters. He also held a great appreciation for the Modernism Movement and a passion for Abstract and Kinetic Art. At the age of 7, he became an apprentice in the family custom cabinetry/furniture business, joining his father and grandfather. It was there that he learned the intricate skills of wood carving and custom staining that he employed for his entire 60+ year career. In 1957 he came with his wife, Anne, to the US to raise their family and strike out for the American Dream. In 1963, he became a US citizen, a voraciously proud citizen. Always the first to stand, take off his hat and sing the national anthem. Moreno began his US career at Union Carbide in NYC designing display pieces. Tired of the commute (Rte. 80 and 23 weren’t complete then!) he began his custom furniture and cabinet career here in Je􀆯erson Twp. He continued his artistic avocation creating, sculptures, mosaics and mobiles (inspired by Alexander Calder), using wood, glass, metals, concrete and driftwood.

The many who stopped by not only enjoyed viewing Staccioli's various art mediums exhibited but were immersed in each piece that Marc spoke about with detailed information that he recalled from conversations with his father about the concept behind the painting. It wasn't a memorial but a celebration of his father's talent detailing life moments as a child growing up in Italy during the war to his life and artistry here in Jefferson Township with his family. His interests truly were not bound to one medium; and as with many artists, his talents had not been seen or shared with the masses until his passing.

In July, Staccioli's art work will be replaced with the JAC's July Artist of the Month Anne VanHentenryck.

06/01/2026

The Kelly/Smead Scholarship Awarded to Emma Sturtevant

On Thursday, May 28, Jefferson Township High School graduating senior Emma Sturtevant was awarded the Jefferson Arts Committee’s Kelly/Smead Memorial Scholarship by JAC President Carol Punturieri at the JTHS’ Honors & Awards ceremony. This $500 memorial scholarship is awarded yearly to a student who will be attending a two-year college majoring in an arts-related field. It is named after beloved members of the JAC – Rose and Jack Kelly and Debbie and Ben Smead -who did so much for the Jefferson Township community over the years including the establishment of the organization back in 1987. The JAC continues to bring events and activities to the community.

Sturtevant ranks 66th in her graduating class of 188 with a weighted GPA of 3.647; and because she is very passionate about art, she intends to pursue a Visual Arts major at County College of Morris. She has been a member of the ASL Honors Society and achieved Honor Roll for the past four years. Outside of school, Sturtevant has been a cheer coach, a volunteer at her church, and worked on projects through Girl Scouts.

She intends to work this summer while continuing to focus on her art creating new artwork and improving her skills as she prepares for her first year of college.
The JAC wishes her the very best as she pursues her goals.