Edison Arts Society's future uncertain, says retiring leader

Gloria Dittman, who is stepping down as president of the Edison Arts Society at the end of December after 10 years of service, doesn't want to see the position go unfilled.

"We're interviewing to see if someone will take over the position," said Dittman, who has conducted a few interviews but so far has not found anyone interested in the role. And without a president, Dittman fears the organization, which has existed for 25 years, might dissolve.

"I would hate to see it go down the tubes," she said.

Dittman said the Edison Arts Society works to beautify the township. Every five weeks the organization puts a spotlight on an artist by displaying their work in the Edison Municipal Building where currently the work of artist Marlon Davila is on display.

"When we were putting it up, everyone loved it, especially the young people," Dittman said, adding one painting features a woman at a cemetery with a headstone that reads sadness, greed, anxiety and how all those things are being buried.

Eight murals have been created on the outside of buildings throughout the township over the past two summers, three of them American flags on veterans’ buildings. An oak tree was painted at Unity Bank on Oak Tree Road, a mural is underway at the Thomas Edison Museum and the Arts Society has been commissioned to create a mural for the Edison Animal Shelter.

Local: Edison council takes another crack at $20 million in capital improvements

"All of the murals were paid for by the Edison Arts Society," Dittman said, adding seven of the murals were created by artist Nitu Pilania Dahiya. She is the artist currently working on the Thomas Edison Museum mural. The Arts Society also paid for a gazebo with lights at Papaianni Park, while the township provided landscaping, she said.

Previously artists have painted upright pianos which were displayed along Amboy Avenue, and the Arts Society has partnered with the Jewish Community Center on Oak Tree Road to have speakers talk and promote the arts.

"We do this because we want to spread the word about the arts and hopefully people will appreciate them. We want to make people realize how important (the arts) are to our daily lives," she said.

Mayor Sam Joshi said the Edison Arts Society has done a wonderful job for many years providing artwork and displays throughout the township and contributing to the fabric of the community.

"We have launched the Edison Cultural Arts Committee which will ensure that the needs of art performances and culture are still promoted in our town," said Joshi, who sees both the Edison Arts Society and the Edison Cultural Arts Committee coexisting.

Dittman, however, does not think the two organizations will coexist once she's gone, citing a lack of support from the mayor’s office. She's concerned the Cultural Arts Committee will take over the Arts Society.

Dittman said she loves the arts, but she is not an artist.

"My heart is there with the arts, but the talent wasn't," said Dittman, who would have loved to have been a pianist or ballerina but does enjoy embroidery. On Oct. 8, 16 artists will be exhibiting at the Bowery Art Collective, 335 Main St., Metuchen as part of an "Art is Love" event celebrating the Edison Arts Society's 25th anniversary.

Dittman noted the late Angelo Orlando Jr, a former Township Council member, was a friend who asked her to take over as the Edison Arts Society president when he became ill. Orlando was a member of the organization since 1998 and served as president from 2000-2013, according to his obituary, which also says he founded the Edison Symphony Orchestra in 2000.

Local: Edison bringing back Diwali, Holiday Winter Wonderland events to Papaianni Park

The Edison Arts Society has about 53 members.

"Mostly what I do is apply for grants and ask people for money, mostly companies and banks," said Dittman, adding not everyone wants to do that, and some find it difficult to ask others for money.

Dittman said she's been able to raise enough money to hold events without charging; the organization recently gave out four scholarships, two to students at Edison High School and two more to J.P. Stevens High School students.

Anyone interested in serving as president of the Edison Arts Society is asked to contact Dittman at 732-548-9134.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison Arts Society President Gloria Dittman searching for successor