The Arts Heal and Help at the Middletown Arts Center

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. - Aug. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- On July 21st, 2013, the FilmOneFest awarded Neal Bennett, Owner of the Industry Film School and instructor at the Middletown Arts Center, third place in the "Spirit of the Shore Awards" for his one-minute video documenting artist Kathy Connolly's "The Sandy Project" at the Middletown Arts Center (MAC). The FilmOneFest's "Spirit of the Shore Awards" was a special category created in response to Hurricane Sandy, which severely damaged the Atlantic Highlands Marina where the FilmOneFest takes place. The event organizers asked filmmakers from across the area to submit work that showed the resiliency and hope of those affected by the storm.

"The Sandy Project", organized by the Middletown Arts Center's acting instructor Kathy Connolly, attracted 22 kids, ages 4 - 15, who collaborated to create a 45-minute, multi-media piece in which the children wrote poems and songs, painted, created an animation, danced, hula hooped, and played guitar and piano. The project started March 19th and ran weekly, concluding with a performance on April 21st in the Middletown Arts Center theater that raised $950 for the Middletown Disaster Relief Fund.

"The children were a very sweet, creative and brave bunch and I am truly so lucky to have worked with them on "The Sandy Project"," said Kathy Connolly, Instructor, Middletown Arts Center. "We all helped each other by expressing our feelings and telling our stories about Hurricane Sandy. They had a great sense of achievement in raising money and helping others."

"The Middletown Arts Center is honored to support the work of Kathy Connolly, Neal Bennett and the children who performed in "The Sandy Project". Bringing the community and the arts together is what the MAC is all about," said Maggie O'Brien, Executive Director, Middletown Arts Center. "Middletown Township was devastated by Storm Sandy, but we have shown strength and resiliency as a community. It's wonderful to see the arts play a role in the healing.”  

"Trying to tell a story in one minute was a challenge. Kathy Connolly came to me with the idea of producing a short film about her play. I decided to include a personal story from her experience with Sandy and how she worked with Maggie O'Brien, Executive Director, at the Middletown Arts Center to raise money for the Middletown Disaster Relief Fund. Kathy, who is currently still displaced from the storm, was such an inspiration for the children," said Neal Bennett, Owner, Industry Film School. "The FilmOneFest's $200 cash prize will be donated to the Middletown Disaster Relief Fund and I look forward to next year's event."

For upcoming events and programs at the Middletown Arts Center, visit http://www.middletownarts.org or call 732-706-4100. The MAC can also be found on Facebook at Middletown Arts Center and Twitter @MiddletownArts.

About the Industry Film School

The Industry Film School at the Middletown Arts Center offers a unique production education environment for teens. Industry Film School courses are designed as building blocks to develop a student’s career in filmmaking. Each film course includes hands-on projects that advance with each class module and student achievement. Whether a student is new to filmmaking or comes with previous experience, the Filmmaking Technique courses help them to develop their professional skills. http://www.IndustryFilmSchool.com

About the Middletown Arts Center

The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art facility run by the nonprofit Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council and is dedicated to bringing quality arts programming and events to Middletown and surrounding communities. The MAC offers enrichment programs and entertainment for all ages and abilities. http://www.middletownarts.org