Shells for the NJ Shore: Update

Artists with big hearts rock!!!!

To date Bear Tavern artists have raised $2,250 being sent to rebuild schools 

on the NJ Shore. We will do another push in the spring!

It may seem like a lot or a little to you but, guess what?

We have partnered with other schools in the state and our current total is $22,390.13!

All from the sale of shell magnets and shell inspired art made by super rockin', amazing children.

Click here to view press articles

Shout out to Suzanne Tiedemann, the super Art Teacher in South Brunswick, who started this initiative. I hope to meet you sometime soon!

Shells for the NJ Shore: Community Service Project

We have linked up with the Shells for the NJ Shore project to raise money to rehabilitate the Jersey Shore.
My students are spending the beginning 10 minutes of their art period designing a sea shell using marker. Parents, staff and I are coating the shells to seal the colors and adding a magnet to the backs.
We are also making wearable pins out of the small shells that have naturally pretty coloring and designs but are too small to turn into a magnet.
The magnets and pins will be sold for $5 in our community. All money raised will be given to the NJ Shore

Box of shells

4th grader working hard

Shell Details

Shell Details

Finished Shells

Grade 3: Getting set for Empty Bowls

It's almost time for our 2nd Annual Empty Bowls event at Bear Tavern! 

3rd graders have been crafting their slab bowls and glazing them beautiful colors. They have also been working hard to learn songs  on one of the greatest instruments of all time..the recorder (I still have mine from 3rd grade) to perform at the Empty Bowls event on Thursday 3/29.
The event raises money for local food banks to fight hunger. We are focusing on domestic hunger awareness and sending food donations and the money raised by selling the bowls to the Mercer Street Friends food bank in Princeton. 


We talked about what it means to be a hungry child (consistent lack of proper foods in adequate  proportions) and some of the reasons why a family might not be able to provide adequate meals. 

3 Hulme Bowls loaded in the kiln ready for firing

We discussed food banks and how they can be used by qualifying families to boost their food supply until they are stable again. 


Last year, the 3rd graders raised over $1,000 in 45 minutes which was sent to the Crisis Ministry of Princeton/Trenton's food pantry and to the American Red Cross for hunger efforts in Japan after the tsunami hit. 


I will post more pics sometime next week!