West Windsor Arts Council is showcasing the work of its members in “Out of the Blue,” an exhibit on view to Friday, February 28. Artists will speak on their works at the opening reception on Sunday, January 12, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The exhibit includes 44 works of art by 39 different artists featuring digital photography, painting, mixed media, collage, and Chinese brush painting. Members were challenged to create artwork that was born from the color blue. Works could be monochromatic or suggestive of blue without being literal representations. The works on view were selected by juror Eric Drotch, an artist, educator, and Fulbright Scholar who teaches a broad range of courses in the visual arts department at Peddie School.
“The exhibit provides our members with an opportunity to showcase their talent while supporting the art center through memberships,” says Karen Schoenitz, a member of the exhibition committee. “We received an impressive selection of submissions all inspired from the color blue.” More than 105 submissions from 50 artists were received following the call to artists.
Artists from West Windsor include Sharon Chapman, Adria Sherman, Paula Huttner, Judy Kaye, Mary Ann Weisser, Allison Singer, Al Chasan, Dee Gozonsky, Hongzham Ye, Ilene Dube, Marci Gelb, Barry Garelick, Kathleen Liao, Andrew Werth, Reshma Sharma, Lisa Weil, Tammy Dawkins, Mark Hadsell, and Renee Kumar.
“Watercolor, pastels, collage, and combination of these are my favorite media combined with a passion for the outdoors happily finds me totally absorbed in art these days,” says Singer on her website. “I look for that poetic moment when color is at its most expressive. My style is called realist because you can recognize the subject, but I try for an emotional connection.”
Singer earned a bachelor’s degree in art education, worked at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.; managed a British art gallery near Soho; and was an art teacher in New Jersey and Pennsylvania schools. Her art teaching business, Art From the Heart, was designed for the young student, and she was one of the founders of the Montgomery Cultural Center in New Jersey, a resource for seeing and teaching art.
“Throughout my life, painting has been my love and now I devote myself full-time to figure, landscape, and commission paintings,” says Singer. “I believe nothing makes a more personal or impressive impact than original, colorful oil paintings in your home, shop, or office. Many of us want art in our lives, paintings, music, dance, because it enriches us, takes us beyond the daily routine, and gives us a new way to see.”
Out of the Blue, West Windsor Arts Council, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Sunday, January 12, 4 to 6 p.m. Opening reception. On view to Friday, February 28. 609-716-1931. www.westwindsorarts.org.
