Residents across Washington Township know resident Concetta Keebler for two things: her lawn art and her flamingos.
In 2001, a little less than three months after the Sept. 11 attacks, Keebler set up a Christmas display on the front lawn of her Greentree Road home. The display featured different colored flamingos and was created to provide cheer for residents. The display is now a nearly 20-year-old holiday tradition.
A few years ago, Keebler started another holiday tradition, this time on July 4, as she painted a patriotic-themed art display on her front lawn. This has also become a holiday tradition.
Now, Keebler has combined her two traditions to hopefully put smiles on many residents’ faces during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, Keebler set up her colorful flamingos, painted a vibrant design on her lawn and created a sign with a simple phrase, “stay safe.” This work of art was done to put cheer and joy into people’s hearts as the world tries to persevere through the pandemic.
“Art is a communicator of emotions,” Keebler said in describing the piece. “My purpose is to make you smile. It’s always whimsical. It’s always fun.”
A lifelong artist, Keebler’s mission of spreading happiness through art is one shared with Sustainable Washington Township’s creative team. Keebler recently joined the team and Vicky Binetti, chair of the Washington Township Environmental Commission, believes Keebler has made a big difference over the past year.
“We love to see Washington Township truly become a center for the arts, because we have so much here,” Binetti said in explaining the creative team’s mission.
Keebler worked with the creative team in painting rain barrels for a project last year and is hoping to get a mobile art gallery set up at Washington Lake Park in the near future. Knowing Keebler’s dedication to the arts, Binetti wasn’t surprised when she heard about her latest project.
“She has the artistic spirit and perspective,” Binetti said. “She can harness the arts as a means of communication for so many things.”
As the pandemic unfolded in early March, Keebler received requests from residents who wanted her to create something to help brighten everyone’s spirits. She went to Walmart, bought 18 cans of Krylon spray paint, dusted off her flamingos and set out to create her latest work.
“I had a lot of messages sent to me, saying the flamingos need to come out so I can smile again,” Keebler said. “They know there’s a reason behind the silliness with the flamingos. It was to lighten the mood.”
Keebler painted paisley patterns on the grass, using a wide variety of colors such as red, blue, purple and pink. Speckled among the paisley print are Keeebler’s multi-colored lawn flamingos. Underneath the lone tree in Keebler’s front lawn are three decorative flowers as well as a pink sign with “stay safe” in big, glittery letters.
“It’s always a fun, whimsical pattern and it’s always colorful,” Keebler said. “Because Easter is coming around and we need some brightness, I tried to think of something bright and whimsical.”
“It’s for people who walk by or bicycle by,” Keebler added. “Even if it’s for only one person, it’s worth it.”
Keebler spent about four hours spraying on her lawn to finish the masterpiece. The Krylon paint allows the design to remain vibrant even after numerous rain showers over the past couple of weeks.
“I can see it in my mind,” Keebler said in describing her thought process when she is painting. “I have some pictures that I go by to give me a guideline with the look I want.”
Keebler’s goal with the lawn art was simple: she just wanted to make people smile. This goal is being shared by the creative team as it is encouraging other residents to do their own art projects and share them on the Facebook page entitled “Painting the Town, Washington Township.” Residents can share their photos by messaging the page at www.facebook.com/WTpaintsthetown and using the #WTNJartforsmiles.
“We would like to inspire folks to create, in whatever medium they’d wish, things that will inspire smiles,” said Binetti, who credited Kristine Storm for her work in managing the Facebook page.
Depending on how long the pandemic ends, Keebler has ideas for more lawn art in case her current creation fades away. She is thinking of doing a patriotic theme next, similar to what she has done on previous July 4 holidays.
As long as she can continue to make people smile, Keebler is more than happy to keep creating.
“With something like this, people are like, thanks for making me smile,” Keebler said.
“I’m not a nurse. I’m not a doctor. But if I can make you smile, that makes it worth it.”
“She has been inspirational. She is really wonderful,” Binetti said about Keebler.
“She just sees the world differently than the rest of us do.”
