The West Orange Arts Council’s “Small Works Members Show” at the West Orange Arts Center Gallery and Gift Shoppe at 551 Valley Road, in West Orange, NJ, features the work of 26 artists: Judyann Affronti, Kim Alexander-Cook, Rey Arvelo, Balkrishna E., Josie Barreiro, Booey McBooerson, Lois Condon, Kate Dowd, Maria Estrela, Gail Gardella, Stanley Gavidia, Gear 1 BYB, Elizabeth L. Glynn, Susan Greenwald, Marlene L. Hendrian, Kathleen Heron, Carol T. Jenkins, Patricia Mallory-Miah, Alex Martinez, Barbara Motley, Herbie Pabst, Sylvia Padilla, Cassandra Saint-Jean, Linda Schulman, Lakshmi Shankarreddy, and Amaya Toland.
The show, installed by Board Member Lisa Suss and Gallery Manager Rey Arvelo with help from artist-volunteer Alex Martinez, opened on Saturday, October 29, 2022, and runs through January 7, 2023, with an Artist’s Reception on Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 1-4pm. Exhibit hours are Saturdays from 11am – 4pm and by appointment.
“It’s always an honor to present this show of local talent from our community,” said Patricia Mitrano, chair of the West Orange Arts Council. Come see work like Marlene L. Hendrian’s, which is inspired by nature and creates stories through woodcuts or collagraphs. Kathleen Heron’s found objects assemblages are surreal tableaux depicting the humans of her imagination. Glassblower Kate Dowd’s 3-D designs demonstrate the variety that the medium can provide. Graphic designer/artist Carol T. Jenkins’ collages present themes using design techniques. Jenkins and artists Judyann Affronti and Lois Condon are current 2022 Essex County Senior Artists of Distinction.
Many of the West Orange Arts Council members and artists have been contributing their time and talent at the gallery so residents can enjoy the benefits that an artful life provides. Most of the work in the Small Works show is for sale, much of it priced under $200, which provides great options for one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays. There are also unique creations by over twenty local artisans in our fully stocked Gift Shoppe, open Saturdays from 11am – 4pm and by appointment.
This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.