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TagsBY PAT SUMMERS
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
They're b-a-a-a-a-a-k. With the end of the long hot summer, the start of school and countless other new beginnings underway, members of the Lawrenceville Main Street (LMS) Artists Network are tooling up for their monthly gallery reception, this Saturday.
Not that they idled away the summer after 2nd Saturday in July. Nay, not so. As part of their commitment to provide community art education, members of the cooperative artists gallery ran a summer art camp for kids. And their fall menu of classes for adults and children is available on the organization's website right now.
The group's myriad pursuits and offerings take on extra significance considering that they haven't even celebrated one year in existence yet. Not to worry, though: they're watching the calendar and planning — a thing they seem to do often and well — their own first-birthday party for November.
Meanwhile, with a "There are places I remember . . ." theme, this month's 2nd Saturday reception runs 4-7 pm at the gallery, on Lawrence's Main Street. While all 31 members will exhibit throughout the four rooms, eight members' work will be featured.
- Describing himself as "primarily a painter," Jim Britton exercises the artist's prerogative of following where whim may lead — changing mediums and styles in transit — to express whatever he wishes. He leaves interpretation of his work up to those looking at it, saying the relationship is between viewer and art, not artist.
- Christina Peckham's background in graphic design shows in her current paintings, which meld simplicity of design with intensity of color. She produces abstract florals and landscapes in acrylics — as well as stylized vegetables flourishing in vibrant fields. Peckham also teaches children's art classes.
- Trained as a lawyer, then both self-taught and re-trained as an artist, Linda Pickering now studies ceramics at Mercer County Community College while working in acrylic, mixed media collage, pen, ink and watercolor sketching and pottery.
- While primarily a figurative painter using pastel, oil or mixed media, Susan Rizzo also creates abstract works and figurative sculpture. For her, the figure and its surrounding atmosphere — thick layers of texture — convey emotional and spiritual experiences.
- Watercolorist Michelle Rosenthal loves the "happy accidents" and open-ended quality of images produced in this medium. She sees her results as the blending of what she wants the paint to do and what the paint insists on doing. Lately, she's moved into paper collage with watercolors to better detail nature's myriad colors.
- Her teaching, in summer art camp as well as children's art classes, doesn't hold Leslie Siegel back from working in a variety of styles and mediums. Depending on the subject at hand, she may use found objects, fabric, paint, paper and clay.
- That she hand-fabricates all parts of a piece of jewelry, including chains and clasps, suggests the classic jewelry-making training Nancy Troske received on her way to becoming a jewelry artist; she also teaches jewelry making. Her most recent work takes cloisonné enameling in a contemporary direction.
- A jewelry designer, painter and photographer, Jane Zamost enjoys turning one thing into something completely different from its original purpose. Using vintage finds, semi-precious stones, paint, beads, polymer, fabrics and found objects, she makes necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and pocketbooks.
Besides displaying art works by Network members, Acacia Restaurant, down Main Street from the gallery, will provide light refreshments for 2nd Saturday.
During this month's reception, occurring on the ninth anniversary of 9/11, donations will be accepted for two charities, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Artists will donate 25% of their sales proceeds as well.
Art works in virtually all mediums are on always display in — and occasionally outside — the gallery. Sales and inventory changes do happen, so frequent visits are recommended. The mix on view typically includes acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings, paintings on silk, ceramics, photography, fiber art and sculpture, as well as jewelry, scarves, cards and more.
And this month for the first time, there's a new kid in the gallery neighborhood — right next door, in fact. Purple Cow Ice Cream now sings the second siren call on Main Street, so art lovers who are also passionate about ice cream can do some two-stop shopping: how about a cone to take the edge off before viewing the art, and then a leisurely sundae afterwards?
The LMS Artists Network Gallery and the ice cream shop next door: two "places you'll remember" right there. And if you "never saw a purple cow," better brace yourself.
***
LMS Artists Network Gallery, 2683 Main Street (US Route 206) at Gordon Ave., Lawrenceville. 2nd Saturday artists reception September 11, 2010, 4-7 pm.
Gallery hours: Friday and Saturday, 11 am-7 pm; Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. For details about the Network, including artists and their work; fall class schedules and registration information; events and membership, go to www.LMSArtistsNetwork.com; write This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone (to Lawrenceville Main Street office) 609-219-9300.
RELATED:
On this subject, freelancer Pat Summers has also written for the Newsroom:
"Transplanted artist helps grow Lawrenceville's art scene," March 8, 2010.
"New artist-members to be featured at Lawrenceville gallery," April 6, 2010.
"N.J. gallery offers value-added artists reception," May 2, 2010
"In Lawrenceville, it's art that's ‘bustin' out all over,'" June 7, 2010
"Lawrenceville galley show takes viewers "Down the Shore," July 5, 2010
