News

SWEETWATERS ART EXHIBIT

What a terrific response from our Guild artists for the first Sweetwaters show! We have 23 pieces from 16 artists, but so many more of you showed interest that we have started a list for the March show. Judy Lepore and I collected the art at the guild on some very cold days before Christmas. We had some artists drop in that we didn’t expect because there was some confusion about drop-off procedures but we’ll clear that up. But first let me tell you how beautiful and professional the display looks.

Pastels, watercolors, oils , photos and mixed media collages were all in the brew; a grand display of the talent we have here at OCAG. Bill McNamara and Martin Kavanagh, from our photography club, documented each piece plus took pictures of the Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Shop . Don’t forget to take a peek at their pictures on our website.

Wahgo Chang, the generous proprietor of Sweetwaters, installed a professional gallery hanging system that made it easy for Sally Cornelison, Judy and I to hang the pieces. Lucky for us, Lisa Cifaretto from the Toms River Artist Community stayed after taking down their pieces and helped us with a couple of our unexpected problems that come from doing something for the first time. She gave us a few hints about what to tell our members about wiring for this type of system that I share with you below.

I encourage our members to stop by the coffee shop located at the Ocean County Mall in the newly built section, buy a coffee and one of those delicious treats in the display case and admire the work of our fellow artists.

Judy and I will be collecting art pieces for the May show:

MAY 2021 EXHIBIT DATES TO REMEMBER:
April 15, 10:00-12:00 PM Sweetwaters show dropoff days for May show
April 16, 1:30-3:30 PM Sweetwaters show dropoff days for May show
April 27-May 30 - Sweetwaters May Exhibit (OC Mall area)

Jo Guscott
Judy Lepore

Letter from the President

Fellow Artists,
Summer is here, and I hope that everyone has a happy and safe summer season. The Guild has a full slate of classes and events, that we certainly hope you all take advantage of. Our next concert is August 22nd and will be our second indoor concert. Look on Eventbrite to reserve your seat, as they will be limited.
There are three Plein Air painting sessions planned in August, so grab your supplies and join the fun. These gatherings are open to all, so invite your friends. The first one is on August 10th, 10-12 at Winding River Park in Toms River.

August is my last month serving as the President of the Guild, but I will continue on in my capacity as Office Manager so we will be seeing each other around the Guild. I want to thank all the Board members and committee heads for being so helpful and supportive in what has been a challenging year.

AnnMarie Dario is returning to serve as our president. We welcome new members to our board: Steve Abruzzese will be serving as our Vice President, Nancy Lanzel will be serving as our Corresponding Secretary. Sally Cornelison, Bill McNamara and I will be continuing in our roles as Recording Sec., Treasurer and Membership Sec respectively.
We welcome five new trustees to help lead us into 2022. Joining Bob Henne, as trustee, will be Kim Cesaretti, John Columbus, Jennifer Suwak, Jo Guscott and Kathy Landmesser.
The Guild continues to be a welcoming and supportive place for friends, old and new, to gather, share and create art of all varieties. Bring a friend next time you come.

Please continue to check out our website and Facebook pages for the latest happenings.
I look forward to seeing everyone in the coming months. Please feel free to reach out to me with any concerns, ideas or suggestions.

Enjoy the weather & stay safe,
Wendy Kovacs
OCAG President

Upcoming Guild Events

July 2021
July 22, Mixed Media Workshop (Tamara Woronczuk)
July 28 & 29 Gallery pickup/dropoff
July 30, 10 AM Gallery meeting/hanging

August 2021
August 1 (Sun), 1-4 PM Gallery Opening
   Gallery 1: Richard Kushinsky Retrospective
   Gallery 2: Melissa Hood
   Studio: Artist Theme is Sunrise/Sunset
August 7, 14, 21 & 28 (Sat) 10-12:30 PM Drop In Figure Drawing
August 8, 15, 22 & 29 (Sun) 2:00-4:00 PM, Drop in Portrait Group
August 15 2-4 PM Song Circle
August 26, Mixed Media Workshop (Tamara Woronczuk)
August 31-September 26 - Sweetwaters Exhibit (OC Mall area)

September 2021
September 1 & 2, 1-4 PM Gallery pickup/dropoff
September 3, 10 AM Gallery Meeting/hanging
September 4 (Sat) 10-12:30 PM Drop In Figure Drawing
September 5 & 26 (Sun) 2:00-4:00 PM, Drop in Portrait Group
September 11 Sailfest
September 12 (Sun), 1-4 PM Gallery Opening
   Gallery 1: Kim Cesaretti
   Gallery 2: Bill Ross
   Studio: Artist Choice
September 16 Mixed Media Workshop (Tamara Woronczuk)
September 18-19 Martin Campos workshop
September 25 10-4 PM Artisan Market
September 28 & 29 Linda Coulter Pastel Workshop
September 29 & 30 1-4 PM Gallery Pickup /Dropoff

October 2021
October 1, 10AM Gallery Meeting/hanging
October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 (Sat) 10-12:30 PM Drop In Figure Drawing
October 3 (Sun), 1-4 PM Gallery Opening
All Galleries: Juried Photography Show
October 10, 17, 24 & 31 (Sun) 2:00-4:00 PM, Drop in Portrait Group
October 12-15 TENTATIVE Dorrie Rifkin Workshop
October 22, 8-10 PM #1 Paranormal Night
October 26-November 28 - Sweetwaters Exhibit (OC Mall area)
October 29, 8-10 PM #2 Paranormal Night

November 2021
November 3-4, 1-4 PM Gallery Pickup/dropoff
November 5 10 AM, Gallery meeting/hanging
November 6, 13,20 & 27 (Sat) 10-12:30 PM Drop In Figure Drawing
November 7 (Sun), 1-4 PM Gallery Opening
   Gallery 1: Printmaking Group
   Gallery 2: TBD
   Studio: Artist Choice
November 14, 21, & 28 (Sun) 2:00-4:00 PM, Drop in Portrait Group
November 25 Thanksgiving CLOSED

December 2021
December 1 & 2, 1-4 Gallery pickup/dropoff
December 2-3 Set up for Boutique
December 4 & 5 (Sat/Sun), 1-4 PM Victorian Open House/boutique
   Galleries 1 & 2: Small Art 9x12 and under (does not include the frame)
   Studio: Paintings ($75 and under)
December 11 & 18 (Sat) 10-12:30 PM Drop In Figure Drawing
December 12 & 19 (Sun) 2:00-4:00 PM, Drop in Portrait Group
December 20 - January 2, 2022 CLOSED
December 28, 2021-January 30, 2022 - Sweetwaters Exhibit (OC Mall area)

Announcements

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!

As our food drive for the People's Pantry, Fulfill draws to an end I would like to thank everyone for their extreme generosity during this time of food insecurity for many families in our area. Since March 13, 2020 Toms River has received 37,336 "crisis boxes" to distribute to needy families. According to Fulfill that amounts to 1.1 million pounds of food! The township has also received 38,000 pounds of produce from Fulfill to distribute. There has been a 40% increase in the demand for food since the pandemic began. The Guild has delivered 5 carloads of food to the pantry so far.

Although we will be ending our drive the need for groceries remains. Please note that the pantry is open Monday-Friday, 9:00-3:30PM. You may drop your own donations off at 1769 Hooper Avenue in Toms River.

Thank you again.

Tamara Woronczuk

Children's 3D Art was a great success and the children were excited with their projects.

Awards

Congratulations to Mary Jo Austin for her oil painting, "Bathing Beauties," being awarded BEST IN SHOW at the Manasquan River Group of Artists 2021 Virtual Art Exhibition. The theme of the show is "Local Inspiration."

2020/2021 Officers and Trustees

OFFICERS

Wendy Kovacs, Interim President

Jo Guscott, Vice President

Sally Cornelison, Recording Secretary

Bill McNamara, Treasurer

Wendy Kovacs, Membership Secretary

Carol Colvin, Corresponding Secretary

8 TRUSTEES

Mary Jo Austin Tamara Woronczuk

Robert Henne AnnMarie Dario

Judy Lepore Marcie Falconetti