Respectrum® Arts is an old dream unfolding. It is our belief that all people are capable of just about anything that they put their mind and heart towards. Staying true to your higher self is often difficult, but there are maps and markers in our society that help us realign. These may be beautiful pictures created to inspire, books of wisdom passed down through generations, autobiographies written to allow readers to share in an experience, poetry composed to prevent the reader from feeling alone in this world, a menagerie that connects the viewer to another paradigm, or perhaps simply the correct information to allow for the furtherance of an idea. The champions of any field are those that find creativity within it.

Respectrum® was a nonsense word — made up between friends — that has come to have a much deeper significance. To ‘respectrum’ is to actively seek the best form of something through rearrangement. One may respectrum their thoughts on a subject by reading or journaling; respectrum their spirit by bellowing out a favorite song or dancing their heart out; or respectrum their appearance by updating their wardrobe or letting their inner light shine. Pilgrimage, prayer, meditation and rough drafts are part of respectrumming one’s inner self. Respectrumming may take a matter of minutes, a day, years or even a lifetime.

If we are to create a change within ourselves, our communities, our spirit — it must be an active process. The first step in any project is defining what feelings the project should inspire — the emotion will guide the action. If we take the time to dream up the best version, and then take informed action, we can respectrum viewpoints, perceptions, businesses, and communities. We can respectrum the world. Respectrum® Arts Gallery and Respectrum® Books are intended to be starting places for our customers’ personal journeys

In the past 3 1/2 years in business we have donated to or volunteered with the following organizations: Sussex County LGBTQ+ PRIDE, Sussex Community Help Center, Sussex-Wantage Historical Society, Sussex County Historical Society, The Cornerstone Playhouse at the Crescent Theatre, NORWESCAP ‘Dialogues for Change’, New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps, Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council, Samuel R. Scholes Library, Friends of Sussex-Wantage Library, American Battlefield Trust, Sussex Borough Recreation Committee, Alfred Ceramic Art Museum at Alfred University, National Trust for Historic Places, The Smithsonian Institution, Sussex United Methodist Church, Sussex Fire Department/EMS,  Wikimedia Foundation, and The American Cancer Society-Relay for Life, Sussex County.

If there is anything you see a need for in the local or the larger community, please share your ideas. We’ll try to help you make them happen.