Lynn Earley has had her share of experiences in the arts. The ballroom dancer, photographer, and arts activist has reveled in the vibrant arts scenes of Hoboken, Jersey City, and Edgewater.
Now Earley is attempting to bring a similar arts atmosphere to North Bergen.
“There really is a potential to do some great things here,” said Earley. “It’s a big town. There’s a lot of possibilities here.”
When she was a resident of Edgewater, Earley served on a committee that organized a large arts and music festival. She has also taken ballroom dancing classes in Hoboken, and served as a freelance writer, photographer, and of course, event planner.
Several years ago, Earley attempted to gather her artistic friends to encourage more festivals, exhibits, and concerts in the area. She successfully launched an art exhibit at the Little League Field house on 76th street in North Bergen.
Due to a death in the family, Earley spent time away from her pursuing her goal of creating an active culture for the arts. Now she is returning to the project.
Allied together
Hoping for a chance to pick up where she left off, Earley has launched the “New Creative Alliance,” a chance for artists to get together to encourage events for musicians, photographers, dancers, fashion experts, and more.
“I have always encouraged individual creative expression,” said Earley, “and find the arts to be an inspiring and powerful [way to] bring people together.”
“It’s a very community-oriented kind of thing,” she added.
Through her experiences in Hoboken, Jersey City, and other artistic communities, Earley was able to network and create relationships with local artists.
With the help of many of these artists, Earley has held dance socials, exhibits, and festivals around the Hudson and Bergen County areas.
She would like to organize an arts festival in James J. Braddock North Hudson Park. Earley is also hoping for a permanent space for a gallery and performance center.
Earley hopes that with the help of other artists and potential investors, she can accomplish her goals, as well as encourage her group to grow.
“All of a sudden, you’re bringing in a lot of outside people into the area because they have an interest in the arts,” said Earley. “You’ll have people coming into North Bergen just to see it.”
“It’s a wonderful way for people to meet each other and get some venues going,” Earley added.
“[I] find the arts to be an inspiring and powerful [way to] bring people together.” – Lynn Earley
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A creative history
As a young woman, Earley became interested in ballroom dancing, “I always felt like I need to have a creative outlet,” said Earley. It was just in my DNA.”
After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Earley became interested in photography. “My camera is like a part of my arm,” Earley said. “I take pictures of everything.”
As a bartender, Earley would hold “wildly-artistic theme parties.” Her event planning abilities soon began to take shape.
Earley hopes to encourage local businesses to hold more events geared towards the arts.
“It’s good publicity for them,” Earley said. “There’s opportunities for everybody.”
“I like to work with people and bring out their creativity,” continued Earley. “It’s just something that I gravitate toward.”
For more information, e-mail Earley at satorispace@yahoo.com.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.