Yes, we are gradually coming out from under the weight of this pandemic but, with many necessary restrictions still in place, more and more art communities are finding innovative ways to offer the beauty and excitement of art that nourishes the spirit in healthy and safe ways.
Here’s a sampling of what’s happening in Trenton:
Homefront’s ArtSpace was forced to put its much heralded annual “ArtJam” exhibition on hold, but moved it online. Go to artjamnj.org/artjam-online-2020-gallery and you will find works by highly accomplished professionals and emerging artists. Just click on thumbnails and you will be taken to each one’s collection.
Want painterly realism? Scroll down to plein aire painter Stefan Pastuhov’s tranquil Maine scenes. Want abstraction? Have a look at Robert Hansen’s paintings inspired by abstract expressionists, as well as his travels through America, India, Iceland and Mexico.
And if you want to see works that are simply joyful, click on Catherine Martzloff, Jennifer Matias or Creassya Young. These are just a few of the more than 30 participating artists. And more are added every week.
The big news at Artworks Trenton is Art All Night 2020 will be an all-virtual event, taking place 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, through 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. Recognizing it was prudent for Artworks to make other plans, executive director Lauren Otis said, “the more we explored the idea of a virtual event, the more we realized how exciting the possibilities were.”
Art All Night director Joseph Kuzemka agreed.
“Just about everything artists and attendees know and love about Art All Night -- the huge variety of art on display, live music, live demonstrations, our film festival, children’s activities, master classes and talks-- we will be able to present all of them online for everyone to participate in and enjoy safely,” said Kuzemka.
The Artworks team also is planning to continue virtual exhibits and education and is exploring ways to reintroduce in-person programming safely and appropriately as things begin to open.
BSG Gallery, funded by the Trenton Downtown Association, contributes to Trenton’s flourishing arts and cultural district. Its mission is to cultivate creativity and community by offering exhibits, education and networking opportunities for artists and curators. It has also become a favorite of the Trenton arts community.
Currently the gallery is presenting “Here We Are,” an online art exhibition that explores race, gender and identity with exciting, thoughtful and tantalizing works in collage, portraiture and mixed media. Read about each of the five women artists, then click on “Start Guided Tour” and stop at any work you like to enjoy a closeup view and read about the piece. The voices of the artists Layo Bright, Beverly McCutcheon, Komikka Patton, Josie Love Roebuck and Theda Sandiford each speak their message so clearly in their works. You’ll find those messages to be sometimes disturbing, sometimes beautiful, and always so captivating you’ll feel as if you’re engaged in a conversation with the artist.
Trenton City Museum, the Ellarslie “Not Quite Open: The Art of Sheltering In Place” virtual exhibit is taking the place of the annual Ellarslie Open. After entering the exhibition, expand the images to full screen, sit back and enjoy the 140-plus paintings and drawings of all genres, sculpture, ceramics, photography, fiber arts, found objects and even a sound piece.
“Thematically, some pieces address directly the uncertain mood brought forth by the pandemic while others provide a calming respite,” said TMS board member and marketing chair Sarah Unger. “Some artists noted when submitting their pieces that this period of quarantine has provided not only more time and focus for creating, but also a sense of urgency.”
When visiting the website you will also find a newly created exhibit in memory of this area’s celebrated watercolorist, recently deceased Robert Sakson.
In addition to 10 weekly “Maker Project” videos on projects ranging from a simple origami-inspired book mark to a beaded coding project, the New Jersey State Museum’s website is offering weekly videos on birds as a complement to the “Fine Feathered Friends” exhibition. Included are videos that discuss John James Audubon and the birds he painted in New Jersey; Trenton ceramist Edward Marshall Boehm and how he created his ceramic bird sculptures; how the Goldfinch became New Jersey’s state bird; and three others.
Also, the museum is in the process of installing on its website the Nikon “Small World” exhibition, which explores the wonders of photomicrography and is said to be a perfect example of STEAM education --science and technology coming together with art. Marketing coordinator Susan Greitz said the exhibit is expected to be on the website “sometime the first week of June.”
Doors may be closed and venues shuttered but the Trenton arts community is alive and well. The challenge of keeping us all engaged has opened new paths to creativity and presentation. Keep checking these websites. New and exciting things are being planned.
WHAT: Five Trenton art venues
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Now
CONTACT: Information with each venue covered above
Email Janet Purcell at janpurcell2@gmail.com