12/4/15

Environmentalism: It’s up to YOU to teach the young

It’s December and there are just 11 days left for children to enter the 2015 kids art contest, and all ages to enter the photo contest. As I watch artworks and photos trickle in, I’m wondering (as I did in 2013) why aren’t more people participating? (read >> The Young Environmental Artist)

I see a pattern here. The climate talks are on in Paris, but most are just talkers and not doers. It’s not enough to “like” and share pictures and articles on social media, and not actually do something to show you care.

My own Jersey City made me proud last year with close to 200 students from 17 schools submitting artworks. In addition, we received artworks from 17 states in the US and 32 countries around the world. The total last year was close to 1000 pieces of creative expression. It was marvelous! The winning artworks were celebrated online and in 3 well received exhibitions including an exhibition in Jersey City’s City Hall.

Jersey City is a culturally active area with a large artist community, and yet these same artists, many who have children, aren’t participating either. So, I’m back to wondering why it’s easier for me to reach parents and teachers in other countries and not those in my own area?

I’m asking you now… educators and parents to explain to the young why they should care about wildlife and the environment and I’ll continue to do my part to help amphibians and the environment too.

Please make me proud by entering today!

Susan Newman,
Founder, Frogs Are Green, Inc.
A NJ nonprofit organization – “Healthy frogs mean a healthy planet for all.”

Below is one of my favorite entries from 2014.

1st Place Winner, Kardelen Koc, Turkey, Frogs Are Green Kids Art Contest 2014, age 3-6 group

1st Place Winner 2014, Kardelen Koc, Turkey, Frogs Are Green Kids Art Contest 2014, age 3-6 group

05/22/15

Frogs Are Green Opening Reception in City Hall Rotunda, Jersey City

Thank you to the Jersey City teachers, students, park association leaders, frog art fans, Jersey City Cultural Affairs and the media who attended the opening reception for “Frogs and Their Threatened Environment” in the City Hall Rotunda on Wednesday, May 20th, 2015.

Thanks to Greg Brickey and Elizabeth Cain of Cultural Affairs for their support and displaying the artwork so beautifully. Thanks to Mayor Steven Fulop for caring about frogs and the environment.

It was so rewarding to meet the students whose work I had admired these past months.

JC1TV (Stan Eason) was there and recorded a video with me, Susan Newman, founder of Frogs Are Green, Inc., about the frog art show and the issues frogs face; Ann Marley, JCBOE Regional Art Manager talked about how together we coordinated the project and an amazing 17 schools responded with 150-200 works and the plans we have for this coming Fall. (The 6th Annual Kids Art Contest will open on September 1, details coming soon.) Included in the video will be interviews with the teachers and students who were there.

Below is gallery and video forthcoming.

Frogs Are Green showcases international student artworks in City Hall Rotunda, May 2015.

Mory Thomas of Washington Park Association attends Frogs Are Green's City Hall Rotunda opening.

JCBOE Art Regional Manager, Ann Marley at Frogs Are Green City Hall Opening Reception.

Jersey City Student Artist, Rachel Shneberg with her winning artwork in City Hall.

Jersey City student artist, Sarah Mongare with her winning artwork in City Hall.

Frogs Are Green opening reception in City Hall, May 2015

Laura Skolar, President of Pershing Field Garden Friends and Daniel Levin, Associate Publisher of Jersey City Independent at Frogs Are Green City Hall opening

Laura Skolar, President of Pershing Field Garden Friends and Daniel Levin, Associate Publisher at Jersey City Independent at Frogs Are Green City Hall opening. Also pictured Greg Brickey, Jersey City Cultural Affairs.

Michael Markman, art teacher for JCBOE at Frogs Are Green City Hall opening.

Chris Styler, Chef, at Frogs Are Green City Hall Opening Reception.

International frog art by students ages 3-16 inside Jersey City's City Hall Rotunda May 2015.

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12/28/14

Frog Photography and Frog Art from Around the World

The 14 judges are currently reviewing the entries submitted for the 2014 contests. There are so many incredible entries from across Jersey City, New Jersey, the United States and 32 countries around the world. The winners will be announced in January, 2015.

Here is the collected data for the 2014 Frogs Are Green Kids Art Contest: 973 Entries

32 Countries entered the 2014 Frogs Are Green Kids Art Contest

Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, England, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Morocco, Philippines, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirate, and USA.

17 States from across the USA entered the 2014 Frogs Are Green Kids Art Contest

Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

5 Cities in New Jersey entered the 2014 Frogs Are Green Kids Art Contest

Hoboken, Jersey City, Montclair, Piscataway, and South Brunswick.

16 Schools in Jersey City and Hoboken entered the 2014 Frogs Are Green Kids Art Contest

McNair Academic High School, PS #5, PS #23, MS #4, PS #3, PS #33, PS #28, MS #38, Golden Door Charter School, PS #25, PS #21, MS #7, Liberty High School, PS #31, Hoboken Catholic Academy, and the Hoboken Charter School.

Here is the collected data for the 2014 Frogs Are Green Photography Contests:

16 Countries entered the two 2014 Photography contests “Backyard Frogs” (34 entries) and “Frogs in the Wild” (56 entries)

Australia (NSW), Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, England, Germany, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Sri Lanka, and USA.

9 States in the USA entered the 2014 Frogs Are Green photography contests: “Backyard Frogs” and “Frogs in the Wild”

Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Below are the links to the 3 Flickr galleries, if you would like to see the imagery.

2014 Frogs Are Green Kids Art Contest

2014 Backyard Frogs Photo Contest

2014 Frogs in the Wild Contest

Thank you so much for your participation and good luck to all who entered! We would love to hear from the teachers and students! Tell us what you learned about frogs and amphibians! Tell us about the art mediums and techniques you used. If you’d like to post a video to the Frogs Are Green Facebook wall, we’d love to hear from you!

– Susan Newman, founder, Frogs Are Green, Inc. – A New Jersey nonprofit organization

04/19/14

Earth Day and Save The Frogs Day 2014

In the Spring of 2009, when Frogs Are Green was just an idea, I had a dream, and that dream is coming true.

My dream is to do all that I can to bring awareness within my community and around the world to help save frogs and amphibians.

This coming Tuesday, April 22, is Earth Day and we’re having the first of two celebrations, here in Jersey City! The Distillery Gallery and Artspace has partnered with Frogs Are Green to showcase hundreds of artworks by children 3-12 from more than 27 countries. Green Dream International Children’s Earth Day Exhibition is on display April 5-27 and visitors are streaming in, either as they pass by or riding over on their bicycles.

On the 22nd of April, join us between 7-10 pm for a little wine and food with our musical guests, The Sensational Country Blues Wonders.

Saturday, April 26th, is Save the Frogs Day and this will be the first big STF Day event we’ve coordinated here in Jersey City. Join us from 4-7 pm with musical guests, The Gully Hubbards, as well as guest speakers: Mayor Steven Fulop, Laura Skolar of the Jersey City Parks Coalition, and Michelle Anne Luebke, instructor at CUNY and environmentalist. Chef Camillo Sabella is bringing his delicious gluten-free, vegan, organic treats and Gia Gelato is bringing her yummy gelato!

Bringing awareness to Jersey City, one community group at a time

I have connected with Jersey City in a multitude of new ways.

Last week, I spoke at The Village Community Association, which is a section of downtown Jersey City, and this past week I spoke to the Pershing Field Garden Friends (in my own neighborhood), and enjoyed hearing about what both groups are doing!

I have also connected with the visual coordinator for Jersey City public schools as well as teachers at the Learning Community Charter School where they study frogs and amphibians as a part of their curriculum.

Each time someone asks “What’s happening to the frogs?” I know my work has just begun.

Talking with different people from these different groups has given me ideas of ways to build even more awareness in the coming months and years. I’ll be looking to bring the Green Dream to other cities, schools and galleries as a traveling exhibit.

The 2014 Frogs Are Green children’s art contest as well as the photography contests (Frogs in the Wild and Backyard Frogs, which are open to frog lovers of all ages), will open September 2, 2014 and I expect Jersey City to lead the USA as the largest contributor of artwork and make us all proud.

Happy Earth Day and Save The Frogs Day, to all.

— Susan Newman, founder, Frogs Are Green

03/16/14

Why Earth Day Is So Important for Children

Ask any child whether they like frogs and the answer is always YES!

When I walk around my own neighborhood, I see children with frog umbrellas, boots, hats and they can easily imitate the sound of a frog too! Ribbit!

This is why Frogs Are Green was founded in 2009. Bringing awareness everyday to what’s happening on our planet and that frogs everywhere are disappearing.

We’re giving children the opportunity to learn about the environment, frogs and amphibians and express themselves. It’s through art that even 3 year old’s can share what they think.

This April, Frogs Are Green is partnering with The Distillery Gallery and Artspace in Jersey City, to exhibit 100s of artworks received from children around the world. This is the 1st exhibition of artwork received from international children for the annual Frogs Are Green art contest, 2009 through 2013. Some artwork will be hung on the walls of the gallery space and 100s more will be shown via digital projection.

The Distillery Gallery and Artspace was chosen for this exhibition because they have children’s art classes on Saturday mornings and those young artists will be participating in the show also, by displaying their frog pictures and beautifully painted flowerpots created for this Earth Day event.

Won’t you please support our Indiegogo fundraiser, building the awareness in children, who are the future stewards of our planet.

It’s our Green Dream that this exhibition will travel to a city near you next!

Link to Campaign: http://igg.me/at/green-dream

April 4-27, 2014 at The Distillery Gallery and Artspace in Jersey City, NJ

Earth Day – Gala Celebration, April 22, 7-10 pm

Musical Appearance by The Sensational Country Blues Wonders

Save The Frogs Day – Gala Celebration, April 26, 4-7 pm

Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City in attendance and presenting a proclamation

Musical Appearance by The Gully Hubbards
Environmental Guest Speakers

Ways You Can Help

Please visit and share this Indiegogo campaign with your colleagues, friends and family. There are sweet perks at every level. Share and support our Green Dream.

Link to Campaign: http://igg.me/at/green-dream

01/11/14

Winners 2013 Kids Art Contest

Announcing the Winners of the 2013 Kids’ Art Contest!

Children from countries around the world celebrated frogs and amphibians by drawing, painting, and sculpting remarkable creations. The variety of medium and style was overwhelming and there were 450 entries uploaded! Thank you to all the parents and teachers who aided these children to enter, taught them more about frogs and how they can help them, making this year’s contest another fabulous success! It was very difficult to choose from among all the unique entries. So incredibly creative and inspiring. Please be sure to enter again next year and don’t forget to contact founder, Susan Newman at Frogs Are Green if you would like your Winning Certificate!

The Winners are as follows: