Opening Reception is August 4th from 1-4 PM
The August show will be on view through August 26th
See website for hours.
Studio – Members Choice Theme – “Out and About in Island Heights”
Children’s Upstairs Studio
Stop by Sunday from 1-4 PM to view the art our young students have created this summer under the instruction of Alison Amelchenko. and Vivian Drew-Perna
Gallery 1 – Retrospective of William Graham (Illustrator/artist from Ocean County)
A Look Back, My Father’s Life’s Work
(Mary Vreeland)
When I view my father’s life’s work, it brings back memories of me sitting by his drawing table as a kid, watching him create so many amazing pieces of art. I can see the technique of his hand as he holds a pastel pencil and fills the paper with color.
My father William Graham, known to everyone as Billy, was born in Stella, England, to a very large common family. He immigrated to the United States, at the age of nine, in 1929. My dad enjoyed the simple things in life: nature, open spaces, and family.
As a young self-taught artist with an eye for perspective he began drawing portraits of family, friends, religious figures, and the subjects of art created by the old masters. My father excelled with drawings that evoked strong emotions. Whether it was the calmness of a tranquil sunset, or the excitement of a tumultuous sea, or the sadness of a severely damaged people surviving through economic failures, famine, and war.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II and also a mechanical illustrator for the U.S. Army for over twenty-five years, my father continued to admire and respect the image, the diligence, and the plight of the American soldier. With access to stock military photographs and magazines many of the young enlisted became subjects of his art.
Over the years as a family, we would pack up some of his art, and then travel to someplace in the middle of nowhere, usually South Jersey, to display them at a local arts and crafts festival. He never put a price on his art. If someone asked about purchasing one of his pictures he would always say, “it’s too much.” Then, when that same person asked “how much is too much” my dad would think up some ridiculous price in his head and mention it. The problem came when that person would say, “I’ll take it.” My father didn’t know what to do except to say, “I’m sorry it is not for sale.” He could never part with any of his art.
My dad’s colleagues and art friends summed him up perfectly with an old joke they would say, “Bill starts squiggling with his pencil and before long he has a beautiful picture.”
Dad passed away July 19, 2019.
Gallery 2 – OCAG Photography Group
The Ocean County Artist Guild is pleased to exhibit the work of members of their resident Photography Group which has been meeting together monthly for almost two years. While the science and technology of photography are occasionally discussed, the principal concern of the group is approaching the medium as a Fine Art and as such a vehicle for artistic expression. Believing that photography can transport the viewer to another place, time, or even state of mind, they are more concerned with the final image than the camera settings or software used to create it.
In a collegial setting, facilitated by nationally published photojournalist Dan Epstein, the group critique fellow member’s work, while offering constructive criticism and support. They strive to create and present photographs which not only exhibit technical proficiency but operate on a level wherein the viewer is invited into a dialogue with the artist; images which transcend mere documentation and resonate with emotion and meaning.
The photography group invites the public to this exhibit and likewise invites any artist working in the medium of photography to join their meetings which take place at the Guild on the second Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9pm.
Pop-up – DYOT w/Instruction (Carol Colvin)
Our Collaborative Palette:
Do Your Own Thing with Instruction is the class I teach which allows students to grow as artists, each with their own unique style and skills.
Students work from still life, or reference material and are encouraged to explore new approaches or materials while focusing on the basics of composition, drawing, value, color and line.
This environment is relaxed, encouraging and inspiring. I feel very fortunate because, as an instructor, these artists energize me, network with me and share themselves as friends and fellow artists.
Our Pop-Up show reflects some of our current work.
Participating artists are:
Myself, Carol Colvin
Nancy Scannell
Dot Johnson
Margaret Klaslo
Marie Crescenz
Alina Ferreira
Aida Fastag Carvajal
Hope you enjoy, Carol Colvin