Art survives the pandemic

I hope you are all staying safe & well as these intense, unsure & scary times continue.  While NJ is slowly getting back to a semblance of normalcy…well, new normalcy…much of the rest of the country faces increasing COVID numbers!  Top that off with social injustices and unrest spreading like another virus and it’s the perfect recipe for more frightening times ahead.  With so many people falling ill and also facing horrible prejudices it’s easy to get depressed and feel hopeless.  This is why art & being able to express yourself in a positive, creative way is so important!

The art community has taken a big hit from the pandemic, like many other businesses and organizations, but it is an ancient and important form of self expression that will never be silenced!  We see Black Lives Matter street art! We see Pride art! We see art dealing with the pandemic!  Art allows us a chance to escape, to express, to vent, to share, to discuss…that’s why I’m so happy to see some local NJ galleries continuing on, however they are able, to keep our artistic community alive and well!

This month I’m excited to have a SOLO SHOW at Gallery on Main, Somerville, NJ & a piece in the virtual “Women’s Voices” show by Transformations Gallery (Metuchen, NJ)  Here are a few of my photos in these exhibits. Hope you’ll check them out…   Gallery on Main in Somerville is open to visitors who follow COVID restrictions (must wear a mask, a few visitors at a time) so please check out the exhibit in person! Here’s the link to the virtual Transformations gallery show: http://www.boroughimprovementleague.org/37.html?fbclid=IwAR349dhYkFMHeh-636VhqI9XwwbnC5GyJ7agXJW0i1H4v8VCBUTb9opt34o

Stay safe & stay creative!

Art News for a New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ART ENTHUSIASTS & FRIENDS!  WISHING YOU THE BEST FOR 2014!!
So, 2014 is finally here!!  Hope you all rang the new year in with style!  I’m not one for making resolutions as I feel you should go for your goals every day!  One of my main goals is to continue to exhibit my work regularly by having at least one show lined up every month so I’m beginning the year with some great art exhibits in NJ.  Here’s the info. for these exciting group shows that focus on different aspects of community.  See you at the opening receptions!

Alfa Art Gallery presents New Brunswick Art Salon, Winter 2014:
New Brunswick in The Eyes of Photographers

Exhibition: January 10, 2014 through January 29, 2014
Opening Reception: January 10, 2014, fro 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

The Alfa Art Gallery is proud to present its fourth annual Photography exhibition, “New Brunswick in The Eyes of Photographers,” in cooperation with New Brunswick City Market.  This Photography Exhibition is a part of the New Brunswick Art Salon series, in which Alfa invites established and emerging artists to present their works as a tangible presentation of their artistic expression.  This winter, we invited photographers to open the audience towards their images of New Brunswick, a cultural and diverse city with various perspectives and viewpoints.

Photography as a medium is especially powerful; a photograph holds the truth, images that can only be tampered with so much.  These series of photographs, dedicated to the city of New Brunswick, provide a different perspective to a city that is enriched by the citizens that inhabit it.  While some photographs do not particularly feature New Brunswick, these photographs are just a small example of the artistic integrity that emerges from a city that harbors such diversity.

We are proud to include an eclectic mix of artists, new and experienced, local and international.  This salon will feature a “Best in Show” award along with 2nd and 3rd place prizes.  Jurors this year will include seasoned art critics Greg Ritter and Nat Clymer.

And I’ll have 2 pieces in…

IMMIGRATION show, Nails in the Wall Gallery

 

Please join me and other local and national artists for this inspirational art exhibit focusing on the different views and concepts concerning IMMIGRATION.  This enlightening, open-minded exhibit will run from Jan. 13, 2014-May 31, 2014 with an opening reception Saturday, Jan. 25 from 2pm-5pm.  Nails in the Wall Gallery is a beautiful space opened about a year ago within St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen, NJ.  For more info on this show contact: 
Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella
Earthsongs Ceramic Studio
732.906.4137

 

Jersey June Art Events; Fun & Free!

It’s hard to believe Summer is almost officially here but feels like Nature has kicked it in already in NJ.  And that also means the fun, free outdoor art fests begin as well as some exciting gallery exhibits and here are the ones I’m involved with this June…hope you can join me!

Two Artist Show at Artisanal Tattoo, Somerville, NJ featuring the travel photography of Lauren Curtis and digital drawings of Ingrid Hansen

TWO ARTIST SHOW AT ARTISANAL TATTOO STUDIO
I hope you’ll join me & Ingrid for our eclectic exhibit featuring my photographs of “cities of the dead” from across the globe (New Orleans, Prague, Pompeii & more!), and Ingrid’s creative digital drawings which capture the imagination.  Snacks & beverages (alcoholic & non) served, feel free to BYOB as well; bring friends to this FREE EVENT, 6/16/12, 8-11:30pm, 26 Davenport St., Somerville, NJ.  This exhibit will be up for a month after the opening party.

I’ll also be showing/selling artwork, original t-shirts & greeting cards & more at these FREE outdoor art fests:

EAST BRUNSWICK NJ’S ANNUAL JURIED OUTDOOR ART FEST
For the last few years I’ve participated in this family friendly art event..& even won a 1st prize last year!  So I hope you’ll join me on SAT. JUNE 9 (raindate the 10th) 10am-4pm at The Municipal Pond on Ryders Ln. in E. Brunswick again this year to see fine arts & crafts from local artists.  Beautiful outdoor setting around the pond…

METUCHEN JUNEBUG ART FESTS
Friday nights in Metuchen, NJ are transformed into a town-wide art fest with original art & fine crafts from local artists, food, music & more!  I’ll be vending on Fri. June 22 & 29, 6-10pm.  I’ll also have photographs exhibited in To Be Continued Bookshop for this event. Just walk down Main Street & it’s side streets for an art-filled night! 

Hope to see you at these events and thanks for reading,
~Lauren
http://www.LaurenCurtisArt.com(commercial & fine art)
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