Made in Morris event celebrates county’s creative sector, honors arts and cultural leaders
FLORHAM PARK BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — Artists, educators, business leaders and community partners gathered Oct. 30 for the Made in Morris: Arts in Action Breakfast, a celebration of Morris County’s creative sector and its growing impact on local identity, economic vitality and cultural collaboration.
Hosted by the Morris County Tourism Bureau—an affiliate of the Morris County Economic Development Alliance and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce—the event took place at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park.
The morning opened with remarks from Meghan Hunscher, president and CEO of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, followed by a keynote address from Justin Kiczek, president and executive director of the F.M. Kirby Foundation, who spoke on “The Power of ‘What If?’: Arts, Entrepreneurship and Innovation.”
Attendees also enjoyed a performance by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey featuring actors Dino Curia and Ryan N. Murray in Who Doth Inhabit the Primary Position, a reinterpretation of the Abbott and Costello classic in iambic pentameter. The piece was written by Jay Leibowitz, Jason King Jones and David Foubert.
The event’s award ceremony recognized individuals and organizations whose work continues to strengthen Morris County’s creative ecosystem. Honorees included Barbara Reuther, director of arts in education and arts in health at Morris Arts; Hon. Kevin O’Brien, head theatrical and concert rigger at MetLife Stadium and president emeritus of Local 632 IATSE; Don Jay Smith, president of LKS Associates; and the Morris Museum, led by Executive Director Dr. Thomas Loughman. Charles and Simone Craig, founders of Art in the Atrium; Julian Gomez, founder of IDEA Cultural; and Danielle and Chris Merzatta, founders of Merzatta Jewelry, were also recognized. Atlantic Health System received the Corporate Patron of the Arts Award.
This year’s featured artists and creative entrepreneurs included Caitlin Lodato, Gabriella D’Italia, Linda Mead, and Danielle and Chris Merzatta, showcasing the diversity and innovation found throughout Morris County’s creative community.
“This event is a testament to the creativity and collaboration that define Morris County,” Hunscher said. “The arts are not just a cultural asset—they are an economic and community catalyst. When we support artists, arts institutions and creative entrepreneurs, we strengthen the fabric of our region and expand what is possible for our future. We are proud to honor the leaders and innovators who continue to drive this work forward.”
The Morris County Tourism Bureau thanked the sponsors whose support made the event possible, including Silver Sponsor Mayo Performing Arts Center; Bronze Sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas; and Bronze Nonprofit Sponsors Morris Arts, New Jersey Ballet and the Morris Museum.
