Meet West Orange Arts Council artists Judyann Affronti and Cathy McCoy Bristol and explore their works at a free Artist’s Reception on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 4–7 p.m. at the West Orange Arts Center at 551 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ. Guests will enjoy light refreshments and the chance to witness the debut of the artists’ first collaborative piece—a fusion of Cathy’s vibrant and expressive portraiture and Judyann’s intricate felt and fabric collages.
McCoy Bristol’s subject of choice is figure painting, where she documents the human experience in paint. Her warm inviting scenes often depict families, groups, or children interacting and enjoying each other’s company that also hold indirect messages of diversity and social commentary. “We all have the needs of touch, love, family, comfort, food, companionship, community, apprenticeship, rites of passage, education/training, and language. We all have struggles, seen or suffered injustice,” states McCoy Bristol in her personal statement. “We strengthen what we focus on, most of my work focuses on what is common to all people.”
“Much of my work is my reinterpretation of the traditional arts of central Mexico: Otomi and Tejuantepec embroidery, Zapotec alebrijes, Talavera pottery, and Teotitlan weaving,” Affronti writes on her website. Her felt collages, mounted on stretched canvas, reflect her world in a joyous burst of color and shapes, distilled down to their minimal components.
WOAC officers and exhibition chairs Carol T. Jenkins (Secretary) and Lois Condon (Vice Chair) designed this exhibit concept as a collaborative quick way to highlight local artists and support the WOAC mission to foster connections through the arts. “Arts organizations like ours thrive through the support of our community, with opportunities to come together, celebrate creativity, support each other, and inspire involvement in the arts,” said Patricia Mitrano, WOAC Chair.
Unique Gifts for the Holidays
While visiting the West Orange Arts Center, don’t miss the Gift Shop, offering an array of art-inspired items crafted by local artists. The selection includes handmade jewelry, scarves, ceramics, paintings, cards, soaps, home décor, and more—perfect for finding one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.