It’s spooky how many art events are happening in NJ!

Happy Fall and happy Halloween season…one of my favorite times of year! The pandemic halted a lot of live art events & exhibits but they are making a come back and virtual exhibits continue as well as a safe, free way for people to enjoy a wide variety of art events. I thought I’d share some art exhibits I have work in, both live and online…hope you’ll enjoy them and get inspired to create &/or support local artists!

The WINDOWS ART WALK in downtown Highland Park, NJ continues!  Localstore owners are opening their windows for displaying art for the Window Art Walk! Take a stroll down Raritan Ave., where you can see the work of local artists in many shops.  My painting  “SHE” is in Main Street HP’s window.

FAVORITES is an online art event hosted by Personaland Gallery!  My painting, “Omen”, is the one I chose for this show so it’s included in this exciting virtual exhibit along with the favorite works of many artists from across the globe (including some of my art students!)  Which will be your favorite?  Check out the show here: https://personaland.com/hut/exhibition/favorites

HERITAGE is a new, virtual exhibit focusing on what our culture, background, family & history mean to us as artists and community members.  I have the above digital collage, “Necropolis”, along with other works in this online show.  View it here in this virtual gallery:  https://www.westerhoffschoolofmusicandart.com/galerie.html

Windows of Understanding  I am proud to announce that I have an original piece of art in the Metuchen NJ Library for Windows of Understanding, a public art project addressing social issues & climate change…it is still on display.  And I was selected to create a new piece for this year’s Windows of Understanding project as well so stay tuned!

Myth, Music & Art Collide

Don’t you love it when 3 of your favorite things combine into one, very cool thing? This happened when a new freelance art client contacted me to commission me to create a new CD cover for his Jazz project, based on ancient Greek mythology!  Musician Jim Gailloreto discovered my X-RAYted art series online and messaged me about designing the cover for his PYTHIAD jazz CD & asked me to create a unique x-ray piece for it and do the design work as well. This was an exciting project as I listened to the music and loved it, especially since it is based on the myth of the ancient seer & mystic, the Pythia. Gailloreto’s music, accompanied by vocalist Cheryl Wilson, conveys the mystery of this visionary woman, The Oracle of Delphi,  who could foretell many things to those who dared to ask….

artwork (c)2016 Lauren Curtis   CD music & concept (c) 2016 Jim Gailloreto

Here’s a bit of what Jim has to say about this fascinating musical project:

“The Pythiad” is a nine-movement vocal work for Jazz String Quintet; an interdisciplinary ensemble that blends improvisations with traditional string quartet.

The music and words combine to weave the stories of nearly a dozen lesser-known Greek heroes and heroines.

Vocalist Cheryl Wilson and the string quartet are exceptional. Coleman Gailloreto (our son) wrote the lyric and the story held within is magical.

Go to this link to listen.

https://jazzstringquintet.bandcamp.com/album/the-pythiad-featuring-cheryl-wilson

Art takes Root in April

What better time than Spring to honor nature through art?  And the Tulpehaking Nature Center in New Jersey is doing just that this month!  One of my x-ray, digital photo collages has been accepted to this show so join us…details below!

Digital photo collage using actual x-ray images.

ROOTED juried art exhibit at Tulpehaking Nature Center
Join us for this nature-centric art exhibit,  focusing on the importance of trees.
Opening Reception:  Fri., April 22, 2016, 6-8pm.  Exhibition on View: April 22, 2016 – September 4, 2016
157 Westscott Ave., Hamilton, NJ 08610
http://www.mercercountyparks.org
http://abbottmarshlands.org/

Another exhibition I’m very excited and proud to be a part of is:

The NOYES MUSEUM FINE ARTS ANNUAL
4/6/16 – 7/8/16  Opening reception Friday 4/8, 5-8pm
I have 2 of my x-ray digital collages in this important exhibit.
The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401
artsgarageac.com

The New Jersey Arts Annual is a unique series of exhibitions highlighting the works of visual artists and craftspeople in the state. Chosen for their excellence, these artists present works of drawing, photography, sculpture, painting and mixed media. Their works are compelling evidence of the outstanding talent residing in New Jersey. The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University is pleased to host this prestigious exhibition!

New Brunswick Master (c)L.Curtis

And even if you missed the opening reception there’s still time to view this show:

Woodbridge Artisan Guild
presents”PHOTOGRAPHY”!
Join us for our newest exhibition, which runs thru April! (I have 3 pieces in this show!)
All works in this show have been created by local artists;
themes include landmarks, nature, portraits, travel, & more!
101 Main St., Woodbridge, NJ (732)634-1474

Feast for the Senses & art news

You can sense the excitement in the air as spring all too slowly approaches…but it’s on the way!  And as with all new seasons, comes new art events, especially in New Jersey!  While it’s still too cold for outdoor fests and shows, there are plenty of indoor art exhibits to attend and the following I’m involved with this month are all FREE so no excuse not to check them out!  I hope you’ll join me and many other local, talented artists at these exhibitions:

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

FEAST FOR THE SENSES…Group Art Exhibit
Work by local artists (most living, some not) will be on display from March 7 through March 28, 2016, in the library’s community room. Participating artists include: Judy Brodsky, Joan Arbeiter, Lauren Curtis, Ria Glassman, Joyce Browning, Eric Escobar, Virginia Swanagan, Pat Shamy, Sydney Jean Reisen, Nadine Berkowsky, Jackie Baker, Jill Caporlingua. Deceased artists whose work will be displayed include: Jacob Landau, Stanford White, F. J. Adams, John LaFarge.

The Opening Reception for this Art Show (on Thursday, March 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room) will provide light refreshments and an opportunity to meet and talk with some of the artists.  I’ll have a few paintings in this show.  Here’s Facebook invite link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1694806214135180/

NOLA Cemetery Path (c)2010 Lauren Curtis

SACRED SPACES, HOLY PLACES
There’s still time to see this enlightening exhibit of sculpture & photography with 27 artists / 43 pieces of work / 13 pieces of sculpture / 30 photographs.   Aside from being an exhibit, related spiritual & cultural discussions & events typically take place during the run of the show so check the gallery’s website & Facebook page for info.  Nails in the Wall Gallery at St. Luke’s, 17 Oak Ave, Metuchen, New Jersey 08840.
I have 2 photographs in the exhibition which continues until
Sunday, May 15, 2016.

Melody Bar Art (c)2015 Lauren Curtis

And a quick question…Do you have a favorite place that you wish you could visit forever?  How about immortalize a beloved home, vacation spot, hang out or historic site in ART?  Commission a pen & ink with watercolor painting of a place you’d like to remember forever!  Contact me for details: forestwalker333@hotmail.com

For more of my work, please visit my newly updated website! http://laurencurtisart.weebly.com

Thanks for reading!

~Lauren

NJ Community thru Art

“Jersey-ites” are a proud folk and we do have many types of communities throughout this small state; historic, artistic, cultural, musical, etc. so it’s no wonder that the Woodbridge Artistan Guild is having an exhibition focusing on this theme titled “COMMUNITY”.

Winter House 3, (c)Lauren Curtis 35mm B&W photo

Join the Woodbridge Artisan Guild on Sat., January 16th at 7pm for an opening reception of our newest exhibition!

All works in this show have been created by Woodbridge area artists and the theme of community includes local landmarks, New Jersey, family, civic pride, neighbors, and our towns.

In addition to local art this event will include live music and refreshments provided by Mulberry Street Restaurant. FREE event.  WAG Gallery, 101 Main St., Woodbridge (732)634-1474
I have three photographs in this show. 

NJ Isn’t Boring, Ireland Art Exhibition & more

Spring is almost upon us, even though the NJ weather doesn’t always agree, but wherever you are I hope you’ll take a minute to read about these exciting art events and if you are in the area, please visit these exhibitions & enjoy the art of spring!

Carnival, NJ June2011

New Jersey Isn’t Boring!
Group Show at Arts Guild New Jersey
1670 Irving St.,  Rahway, NJ
Opening reception Sun. March 22, 1pm-4pm. 
See what makes NJ so unique and definitely NOT boring!  Artwork of all types from many local artists. Show runs thru April 16, 2015.
I have two digital photos  in this show.

Ireland; Blarney Castle (c)Lauren Curtis

Savor the Arts; Ireland Exhibition, Group Exhibit, Middlletown Arts Center
36 Church St., Middletown, NJ
Opening Reception, Fri. March 20, 7pm-9pm.
Join this artistic celebration of Irish culture!  Show runs thru April 18, 2015
I have the above photo in this exhibit.

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

Revelation/Revolution
Group art exhibition at Nails in the Wall Gallery, St. Luke’s Church, 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen NJ.  I have 2 paintings in this current exhibit that will be up until May 31, 2015.  Visit this eclectic, spiritual gallery to view work from local, national and international artists!

“Necropolis”, digital photo collage (c)Lauren Curtis

Spirit of the Human Family
Group Exhibition at the Linda Grandis Blatt Gallery, Temple B’nai Or, 60 Overlook Rd., Morristown, NJ.  Spiritual and artistic views on the meaning of family, this show runs thru April 10, 2015.  I have 3 pieces in this exhibition.

Art for Revelation/Revolution

Gallery spaces these days have expanded far beyond the typical white-walled, NYC (or insert big city here) space…and this is a great thing as it opens up so many more opportunities for artists to show their work and for it to be seen by a wider range of people!  One of these newer spaces that I really enjoy exhibiting my work in is Nails in the Wall Gallery, located within the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Metuchen, NJ.

This Saturday, 1/24, from 2pm-5pm, the newest exhibition opens up with a fascinating reception featuring in-depth talks with some of the artists about their work and how it relates to the current theme of “Revelation/Revolution” and how this applies to all forms of “organized religion”.  I’ll have the 2 pieces in this blog in the show along with works from other artists from across the US!  If you’re in the area, please join us…here’s more info. supplied by the gallery:

Nails in the Wall, the Metuchen art gallery sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (17 Oak Ave. / Metuchen),

will begin its 2015 Season Saturday, January 24, 2-5pm, with REVELATION / REVOLUTION. 

This exhibit will include work from nearly twenty artists both from around the U.S.

as well as outside the country, with art that focuses on the power of God’s Word.  

 

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

Local photographer David Glasofer will speak at the Opening,

along with Teaneck sculptor Anthony Santella,

Ontario, Canada artist Shakil Kahn and Sara Paige Hoag from Urbana, IL. 

 

Join us for this free event with high quality art and refreshments provided by the Metuchen Inn!

 

Omen (c)2011 Lauren Curtis, oil painting with decoupage

The exhibit, which includes painting, photography, mixed-media and free standing sculpture,

runs from January 24 through May 31, 2015. 

The gallery is open daily. Times and other details can be found at www.nailsinthewall.com

or by contacting the Gallery Director, 732.322.6512 / EarthsongsCeramicStudio@gmail.com

​

Artful Wishes for a New Year!

HAPPY, HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS New Year’s Wishes to you!  Whether you venture out or stay in to celebrate the beginning of 2015, I hope you enjoy yourself & ring in the new year right!  May your creative side come out in full force in a positive way!

I’m starting of 2015 with some exciting gallery exhibits & freelance work, so here’s the scoop…if you’re in NJ, I hope you can join me at these art openings:

DRAMATIC SKIES 2015, group exhibition, Gourgaud Gallery, 23A North Main St. (in Town Hall Bldg.), Cranbury, NJ.  Opening reception Sunday 1/4/15, 1pm-3pm, refreshments served.  Show runs thru 1/25/15.

Dream Of Trees 2, oils (c)Lauren Curtis

REVELATION/REVOLUTION  group exhibit, Nails in the Wall Gallery (in St. Luke’s Church), 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen, NJ. Opening reception, Saturday, 1/24/15 (time TBA but most likely around 3pm). Show will be up for several months.  

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

I also have an art article in the holiday issue of WILD SISTER MAGAZINE!  To check it out, here’s the link:  http://wildsister.com/latest-issue/

Finally, I’ve been getting some really fun freelance commission work like children’s book illustration and pet portraits…2 of my latest creations are below & click on the links to my art sites for more!

Children’s Book Illustration, Oct2014

Pet Portrait, pen & ink w/ watercolors, Dec2014

Hope to see you at an exhibition &/or online.  Have a wonderful, art-filled New Year!!
~Lauren
http://laurencurtisart.weebly.com  (NEW fine art site!)
https://laurencurtis.wordpress.com  (my Blog)
http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt (Facebook Fine Art Page)
http://www.LaurenCurtisArt.com (commercial & fine art) 
http://www.laurencurtis.imagekind.com (cards, T-shirts, photography, illustration)
https://twitter.com/LaurenCurtisArt (now on Twitter)

Victorian Sideshow Fascination!

So, lately I’ve been getting into creating mixed media, “Victorian Sideshow” art. I mean I’ve been very influenced by Victorian art and culture for a long time, and I’ve also been fascinated by old-fashioned side shows (like the one in Coney Island) for many years as well…maybe my own VERY long fingernails have had something to do with that? 😉 Well, several yeas ago I started this “modern icon” mixed media series (some can be seen on http://www.laurencurtisart.mosaicglobe.com
But more recently, I’ve combined all of these influences and started another series based on the “Victorian Sideshow/Fantasy” theme (more can be seen on that same website.
In the age of “steampunk” style, the come-back of goth and the kind of anti-technology of the Victorian era in today’s overly techno world, it’s lead me to create these mixed media “mini-stages” using collage, photography, painting, found object, etc. The pieces are usually on wood or board and range in size from approx. 8″x10″ to about 24″x28″. I plan to do many more and have some new tricks up my sleeve for a new twist on the series, so stay tuned…
Here’s the newest piece: “Step Right Up!”

You're the star of the show!

Pics from the Winter Group Art Show @ Straube Center

The Winter cold does not stop the art events from happening, they’re just all indoors, at least in NJ…but that’s fine with me! There’s always good food, nice wine, new people, old friends and the best part, great artwork! This was exactly the case for the huge group exhibit at the Straube Center in Pennington, NJ last week. I’m one of 8 local artists in this show and have 21 pieces on exhibit! I was excited to sell one on opening night!!

I have to say that all of the artwork was really well done and the variety of work was great to see….paintings, photographs, mixed media, sculpture. The art adorned the large hallway spaces (set up like professional gallery walls) & conference rooms in 2 buildings in the center. Despite the opening reception being held during rush hour on a Friday night (such is often the case with corporate shows), we had a nice turnout of artists, collectors, friends and family. We actually stayed past the closing time! It was great meeting new art enthusiasts and local artists. Group shows are such an important part of socializing and networking for any creative person!

My thanks to everyone at the center who helped organize the show and to everyone who came to view it! I’ve posted a few photos of my “art walls” at the show. It’ll be up until 2/26/10 so if you’re in the Pennington, NJ area, go take a look!

My paintings at the Straube Center Art Show.

Me at the Straube Center Winter Art Show

Straube Center Winter Art Show

Straube Center Winter Art Show

Straube Center Winter Art Show