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Art studio begins 10th year in Bordentown By Thomas Kelly
to teach English at a university in Nanjing. She taught at When people think of art Nanjing University of Science studios with classes, they and Technology during the think of a busy colorful room 2000-2001 academic year. Attaining her master’s degree with easels, painting tools and in art teaching from supplies, maybe clay the University of the wheels and drying Arts in Philadelphia, rack with bowls and Szeto also studied in vases. At Leaping London at Central Dog Art Studios, Saint Martin’s School they have found this of Art and Design and vision. at the Arts Student Begun in 2014 by League in New York art teacher Jennifer City. Szeto, the studio was Szeto Szeto taught art a way for her to stay in the Philadelphia local for her growing school system in family. Begun at the Bordentown Open Arts Stage charter schools for 6 years complex, on 130 South, Leaping and then was a long-term Dog Art Studio is now located in substitute teacher in New Hope, the heart of Bordentown City, at Pennsylvania. “I think all humans are 325 Farnsworth Ave. Szeto was born and raised in creative. I see it in the children, Howell, New Jersey. Her family drawing freely and boldly. It is has its roots in Hong Kong. so good to see the children at There were artistic influences the studio. They are so happy to from her mother who was make art.” says Szeto. “As Picasso said, it took me skilled in fashion and interior design. Her uncle who was years to paint like Raphael, but a proficient in calligraphy was lifetime to paint like a child.” “I see it as a natural way for also an early influence. Szeto studied fine art children to express themselves. illustration and graduated from For adults it is intrinsic and Syracuse University. Before can be therapeutic. Drawing settling into work her brother well is also a matter of learning gave her the advice to travel how to observe, how to look at now, when you have very few things. You need to set the goal See LEAPING, Page 10 obligations. Szeto went to China
Billy Briggs Memorial Scholarship co-chairs and Bordentown residents Michaela McFadden, left, and Lauren Tracey, right, with Tracey’s father Jude, a bartender at Tír na nOg, an Irish pub in Trenton.
Billy Briggs scholarship gives teens a taste of Irish culture By Joe EmaNsKi Billy Briggs created more than just a bar when he opened Tír na nOg on Hamilton Avenue in Trenton in 1991. He also created a community. And although the man widely known as “Irish Billy Briggs” died in 2008, his bar, his legacy and that community endure to this day.
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The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division No. 10 is a fraternal organization that sees Tír na nOg as a sort of second home. In 2010, Division 10 created a scholarship program in Briggs’ name as a way to honor him. Each year, the program sends two high school seniors on a three-week journey to County Donegal, Ireland, where they are immersed in Irish culture
and history. Michaela McFadden and Lauren Tracey were the first two winners of the scholarship. Thirteen years later, the Bordentown residents remain a part of the program, serving as co-chairs. To help raise some of the funds needed to keep the scholarship going, 10 intrepid runSee BRIGGS, Page 8
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