Congratulations Rijah Newell

To the Editor:

I want to publicly congratulate Rijah Newell for receipt of the 2012 Emerging Artist Scholarship from the Celebration Barn Theater.

This multi-talented and deeply passionate artist is ultimately deserving of this award, as one who has directly and significantly contributed to the evolution of what is now recognized as the vibrant and growing Oxford Hills arts scene.

As an activist, environmentalist and self-taught performer, this one-woman army pulled together the most original and relevant street theater with teams of dedicated volunteers, who started using trash to build giant theatrical puppets for environmental-based performances.

Trash Into Art was born and so was her coordination of the Annual Norway Earth Day Celebration. Shortly after, her talents were scooped up by the Norway Arts Festival to develop what became the most vibrant, diverse and serious performance component the festival had in 45 years.

Ok, so then....she builds an event, the likes of which, I have never witnessed in all of Western Maine: Circus Olé & Feast of Fools. This animal free circus - with fire eaters, trapeze artists, stilt walkers, and giant puppet elephants, penguins, giraffes, lions, tigers and more - drew hundreds of people from all demographic profiles from all reaches of Western Maine and beyond.

No event I have  directed or been a part of has ever succeeded in drawing such a broad group of people into one place to have a cultural experience.

This area is truly fortunate to have a person of her drive and talent, who can make such a significant impact as an individual. I can't even image what kind of artist explosion will happen once she has studied with the world-class performers and teachers of the Celebration Barn. Watch out world. Congratulations Rijah!

Aranka Matolcsy

South Paris