Florham Park, NJ (November 14, 2025) — Artists, educators, business leaders, and community partners gathered on October 30, 2025, for the Made in Morris: Arts in Action Breakfast, a dynamic celebration of Morris County’s creative sector and its growing impact on local identity, economic vibrancy, and cultural collaboration. Hosted by the Morris County Tourism Bureau, an affiliate of the Morris County Economic Development Alliance and Morris County Chamber of Commerce, the event took place at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ, bringing together stakeholders invested in advancing arts-driven innovation and community connection.
The morning opened with remarks from Meghan Hunscher, President & CEO of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, followed by a keynote address from Justin Kiczek, President & Executive Director of The FM Kirby Foundation, who spoke on “The Power of ‘What If?’: Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation.”
Attendees enjoyed a special performance from the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, featuring actors Dino Curia and Ryan N. Murray performing Who Doth Inhabit the Primary Position, a witty, fast-paced reinterpretation of the Abbott and Costello classic in iambic pentameter, written by Jay Leibowitz, Jason King Jones, and David Foubert.
Honoring Leaders Shaping Morris County’s Cultural Landscape
The event’s Award Ceremony recognized individuals and organizations whose work continues to shape and elevate Morris County’s creative ecosystem:
- Arts Education Visionary Award – Barbara Reuther, Director of Arts in Education and Arts in Health, Morris Arts
- Arts Advocacy Champion Award – The Honorable Kevin O’Brien, Head Theatrical & Concert Rigger, MetLife Stadium; President Emeritus, Local 632 IATSE; Board Member, NJ State Council on the Arts
- Lifetime Arts Impact Award – Don Jay Smith, President, LKS Associates
- Innovative Arts Institution Award – Morris Museum, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Thomas Loughman
- Heritage & Ancestry in the Arts Award – Charles & Simone Craig, Founders, Art in the Atrium and Julian Gomez, Founder, IDEA Cultural
- The Creative Business Award – Danielle and Chris Merzatta, Founders, Merzatta Jewelry
- Corporate Patron of the Arts Award – Atlantic Health System
This year’s featured artists and creative entrepreneurs included Caitlin Lodato, Gabriella D’Italia, Linda Mead, and Merzatta Jewelry founders Danielle & Chris Merzatta, whose works and creative processes reflect the innovation and diversity of Morris County’s cultural landscape
“This event is a testament to the creativity and collaboration that define Morris County,” said Meghan Hunscher, President & CEO of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. “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.”
Sponsors
The Morris County Tourism Bureau extends its thanks to event sponsors whose support makes this celebration possible:
- Silver Sponsor: Mayo Performing Arts Center
- Bronze Sponsors: New Jersey Natural Gas
- Bronze Non-Profit Sponsors: Morris Arts, New Jersey Ballet, Morris Museum
About the Morris County Economic Development Alliance (d/b/a Morris County Tourism Bureau):
The Morris County Tourism Bureau (MCTB) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with the interchangeable DBA of “The Morris County Economic Development Alliance” (MCEDA). The organization is an affiliated division of the 501(c)(6) Morris County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and Morris County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). The organization holds the distinction of being the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Morris County.
The organization’s mission is to serve as the primary destination marketing organization for Morris County, NJ, that positively affects the economy by promoting the area’s exceptional historic, cultural, dining, and recreational attractions. The Morris County Tourism Bureau also provides services to residents, business travelers, and tourists.
