June Blooms with Art; free events

Are you looking for something different, creative and FREE to do this month in NJ??  If so, have I got the events for you!  And even if you’re not in the Jersey area, I’d like to share some photos with you from the most recent art opening I attended and have work in!  Not quite as good as being there but close…

The “Friends & Neighbors” group exhibition focuses on a wide variety of artwork created by artists living in the South Orange, NJ and surrounding areas.  It opened this past Sunday, June 1, and runs until June 21 so there’s still time to catch this eclectic show at PIERRO GALLERY in the Baird Center located in a beautiful, old mansion-style building next to a huge park!  I’m proud to have two of my “X-RAYted” digital photo collages in this show.  Here’s a few photos for you…

Friends and Neighbors art opening. June 1, 2014

Next up, in it’s 12th year, the Annual Outdoor Art Fest in East Brunswick, NJ!  A FREE event for the whole family in a beautiful park setting, centered around  Municipal Pond.   Come out and see art and fine crafts by many NJ artists and crafters.  Plus food and beverages available as well as a farmer’s market!  Saturday, June 7, 10am-4pm (rain date June 8, but the weather for Sat. is supposed to be great!).   I’ll have a booth with my photography, t-shirts, greeting cards and jewelry!   Here’s the flyer with details…

And then, art blooms at the “IN BLOOM” invitational art exhibition at the Barron Arts Center in downtown Woodbridge, NJ!  Join me and many talented, local artists for the opening reception (free, of course) for this colorful, summer-inspired show!  Tuesday, June 17, 7pm-9pm.

InBloomBarronArtsFlyerJune2014

 

Last but definitely not least, I’ll have a booth at the GIRALDA ARTS & MUSIC FEST in Morristown, NJ on Sunday, June 22.  This  is a BIG outdoor fest sponsored by Morris Arts, starting mid afternoon and going into the evening with the NJ Symphony Orchestra, artists, crafters, food, bands and much more!  A MUST DO for summer!  Here’s more info….(NOTE: this is the only event listed here that is NOT free….prices posted on flyer….but well worth it for all you get from this amazing event & concert!!)

Giralda Fest June2014

So, is that enough cool stuff  for ya to do??  😉  Support the arts and come on out to these awesome events!  See you there!

Art & Music in May

May is right around the corner…I can’t believe how the months are flying by but I’m looking forward to many of the upcoming arts and music events that I’ll be exhibiting and vending at so if you’re in New Jersey, I hope you’ll join me at these events but if not you can always check out these venues online that have a lot to offer for artists, musicians & their fans/supporters!

Gallery U Palette Exhibition 2014

Palette, Group Exhibition, Gallery U, 439 South Ave. West, Westfield, NJ, 07090.  Opening Reception Thurs. May 1, 2014, 6pm-8pm, show runs thru May.
I’m very happy to be back in this gallery, in it’s beautiful new location, for another eclectic art show!  This space not only serves as an art gallery and upscale hand crafted item & jewelry boutique but it serves to help those suffering from traumatic brain injuries so every purchase helps a great cause!  Come by the art opening and view my mixed media painting in this exhibition.  For more info.: http://gallery-u.blogspot.com

RockabillyRally2014

 

For all you rockers out there, this Rock-a-billy fest is a MUST!!  I’ll be vending my photo prints, original t-shirts & cards & gothic/Steampunk jewelry at this awesome, annual ROCK-a-BILLY FEST at Roxy & Dukes Roadhouse in Dunellen, NJ, Sun. May 18, 1pm-1am!Join us for a day of great bands & artistic vendors, food, drinks, classic cars and more!  See flyer above for details & check out http://www.roxyanddukes.com/ for more info.! 732-529-4464

OTHER COOL ART NEWS…
I’ll be vending & exhibiting at many outdoor arts/crafts & music events throughout NJ…& maybe beyond…thru Spring into Autumn so stay tuned for details to come!  Also, my SOLO EXHIBIT at RUTHIE’S CAFE on Main St. in Highland Park, NJ was extended for another 2+ weeks into mid May so stop by to see the art & have a home made, tasty meal! You can also see what I’m up to on these sites:
http://laurencurtisart.weebly.com  (NEW fine art site!)
http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt(Facebook Fine Art Page)

To Fest or not to Fest; an artist’s dilemma

Happy Summer (for those of you in my hemisphere…otherwise, happy winter)!  Despite the bizarre weather patterns across the globe, summer is in full force in good ol’ New Jersey and we’ve been getting plenty of hot, steamy, sunny days..but we haven’t been free of rain and when does it seem to hit most??  Well, when I have an outdoor art fest to do, of course!

Now there’s nothing quite like going through the stress and strain of setting up a professional looking both at an art event only to feel those annoying drops of rain begin to fall RIGHT AFTER everything’s ready to go!!  Then it’s “QUICK!  GET THE TARP….PROTECT THE ART!!!”  Don’t get me wrong; I really enjoy doing art fests of all sorts.  They’re an excellent way to sell and get exposure for your work, to network with other artists and potential new clients and collectors, and it’s extremely satisfying to win an award!  (I’m happy to say I won a cash award in the last three juried art fests I’ve done over the last year!  YAY!).  But many people don’t realize the hard work it is to do an art fest, especially outside when you’re constantly worried about the weather…and not just rain…but wind, heat, cold, humidity…it’s a rare and lucky occasion when you stumble upon that perfect day!  And of course, the weather (& weather predictions) dictate the crowd that’ll show up for the event.

But, as a full time artist, I highly recommend giving art fests a try…especially local ones as it’s a great way to get your work seen by your community.  It also builds your mailing list and your resume and can lead not only to sales but to other exhibit opportunities as well!

So, I guess it’s not as much of a dilemma after all…except when you’re watching the news and the weather person says those dreaded words; “Looks like thunderstorms will hit the area by 11am tomorrow…” which is, of course, the time when your event is due to begin!  But, they can be wrong and you can still take the chance and come out on top…although it doesn’t hurt to pray to the weather gods to be on your side that day!

See you at the fest…check http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt  & this blog  for updates on my upcoming art events.

Take care,

Lauren

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P.S. I have no idea why the photo of me & my award shows up sideways…file is saved right-side up..it’s a computer mystery!

Art for the Holidays at NJ show this week!

Greetings bloggers!  I just returned from an adventurous trip to Italy and am back in artistic action!  Aside from the fact that I have 300+ photos, both 35mm & digital, to work on now I also am preparing for the big Highland Park Artists Collective group holiday art show & sale starting this Thursday, 11/17, at White Lotus on Raritan Ave. in Highland Park, NJ!

This event will feature art and hand crafted items from some of NJ’s  finest local artists!  Please join us for our opening reception party this Thursday night from 6-8pm and get a head start on your holiday shopping….art makes a unique, original and affordable gift as we’ll have items starting at just a few dollars!  Also, many 1-of-a-kind pieces and jewelry!

Stay tuned for info about more NJ holiday art events as well as a photo essay of my trip to Italy…hope to see those of you in central NJ this Thursday!