Corrections or additions?
This article by Fran Ianacone was prepared for the April 6, 2005
issue of U.S. 1 Newspaper. All rights reserved.
Celebrating the Life and Work of Garden State Artists
Back in the 1920s, when Europe was considered the center of the art
world, many talented American artists lost commissions, and some their
livelihoods, because it was considered more fashionable in this
country at that time to hire a European artist.
In 1928, the American Artists Professional League (AAPL) was formed to
publicize American portraitists. One of the primary objectives of the
original members was to persuade the U.S. Senate to attach a rider to
a Congressional bill requiring that all official portraits, when
purchased with taxpayer money, had to be painted by American artists.
They succeeded, and that requirement remains to this day.
Originally the New York chapter of the AAPL served as the leader of
all of the state chapters, but in 1975, the New Jersey chapter,
NJ-AAPL, incorporated as a separate entity. Today the New Jersey
chapter is a totally and financially independent entity, whose
unstated goal is to ensure that New Jersey is no longer regarded as a
stepchild to New York in the world of the arts.
If, like many, you are unfamiliar with the range of artistic talent in
New Jersey, the spring members exhibit of the NJ-AAPL at the
Bordentown Gallery, opening Wednesday, April 6, is a good place to
start your education. On April 10, the museum will host an artists’
reception, open to the public, during which awards totaling over
$3,000 will be presented. The top award, Best of Show, brings $750.
Charles McVicker, a Princeton resident and signature member of the
Garden State Watercolor Society and the New Jersey Watercolor Society,
who is also listed in Who’s Who in American Art, serves as the judge.
Kathy Shumway-Tunney – an artist, League member, chairperson for the
upcoming show, as well as a descendent of Pablo Picasso – says the
show underscores the importance of promoting New Jersey artists. “We
often hear comments from people who had no idea of the quality of the
artists who live and work here. This organization provides exhibit
space and gathers artists together to be recognized and – hopefully –
sell their work.”
The NJ-AAPL has just over 100 members, all of whom must pass a juried
review of their work. The peer review is conducted by teachers and
professional artists with years of experience who are qualified to
determine an artist’s eligibility. There are only a few but
significant rules for applying for membership: candidates must be 18
years or older, functioning as a professional visual artist in New
Jersey, and working in the traditional realism style.
The spring members exhibit features the work of approximately 45
artists. Shumway-Tunney approached Bordentown Gallery owner John
Schroeder, who represents her and several other artists, and explained
that the AAPL was looking for new avenues to showcase New Jersey
artists. Schroeder graciously offered the use of his gallery as a way
to not only highlight the talents of the NJ-AAPL members, but also to
promote the other artists he represents.
Schroeder moved to Bordentown 20 years ago, after retiring from the
Trenton Police department. His wife, Nina, encouraged him to pursue
their joint love of collecting and exhibiting art on a full-time
basis. The result became the Bordentown Gallery, a colonial building
with 1,100 square feet of exhibit space with a wooden floor and
windows facing the street . The gallery features oil, watercolors,
pastels, and mixed-media paintings, as well as sculpture, wood
carvings, ceramics, and racu pottery.
“I think the show is going to be exciting for people in this area,”
says Schroeder. “People from Haddonfield or New Brunswick don’t often
have an excuse to travel (to different parts of the state), so I think
this location is going to be convenient for everybody. It should bring
a lot more art appreciation to the area. And it highlights Bordentown
– which is very historical.” Shumway-Tunney and Schroeder agreed late
last year to hold the exhibit in April to take advantage of
“visitor-friendly” weather when people are ready shake off winter and
get out and explore.
Shumway-Tunney explains the AAPL’s process for deciding which artists
get selected for a particular show. “We send out a prospectus to our
members giving the specifics of each show. For instance, to be
exhibited in the Bordentown Gallery, each work had to be no more than
28 inches in either direction, and that includes framing. This is due
to the available space in the gallery, not to any aesthetic
sensibility on the part of the jury.”
And they’re very strict. “Once we establish the guidelines, anyone who
doesn’t read the prospectus or thinks we’re kidding and shows up with
something larger, doesn’t get to exhibit. This way, the members know
what to expect and are confident that the judging will be fair and
impartial because everyone has to conform to the standards.”
Shumway-Tunney, a professional portrait painter for 30 years, has
painted Peter Kahn, president and CEO of Dow Jones; George Gallup,
chairman of the Gallup Institute; and Pulitzer Prize-winning author
Anna Quinlan, among others. Originally from Essex County, she attended
Caldwell College, but left before graduating to get married. She now
lives in Chesterfield with her husband, Gene, an engineering manager
for Lynch Exhibits, which builds tradeshow exhibits.
Shumway-Tunney submitted a self-portrait for this exhibit. “I’ve been
submitting self-portraits now for the past couple of months to juried
shows, and they have been very well-received. I’ve even won awards for
them. I think it’s because you don’t often find portraits done in
pastel. In the manner that I do them, they actually look like oil
paintings. They’re very, very realistic.”
She admits she inherited much of her talent. “Both of my parents drew
and painted. I grew up in a household where that was standard
operating procedure.” Her mother, Helen, a promising artist in New
York City, was approached by Disney scouts upon high school graduation
in the late 1930s to work as an illustrator for the company. Her
father, Edgar, was an advertising executive for a number of banks in
New Jersey and New York. Her paternal grandfather was an architect and
her grandmother an art teacher. It is through her grandmother that
Shumway-Tunney is related to Picasso, a fact she learned just a decade
ago. Her grandmother Blasko was born in 1889, a cousin to Picasso’s
father, Jose Luis Blasko. Picasso’s father was also a painter and a
teacher from a moneyed family who had fallen on hard times. Due to a
tumultuous relationship between father and son, the younger Picasso
took his mother’s maiden name.
In addition to Shumway-Tunney, artists from all over the state will
show and sell their work. Included will be sculpture, and some
mixed-media pieces, possibly pen and ink and pastel. Howard Koslow,
one of the League’s best known artists, designs stamps for the U.S.
Postal Service, including the 100th Anniversary of the Brooklyn
Bridge, the 200th Anniversary of the Signing of the Constitution, and
the 250th Anniversary of Princeton University. A NJ-AAPL board member,
Koslow will be exhibiting an oil painting.
Marge Chavooshian, a Trenton artist and long-time teacher, is a
well-respected watercolorist. Chavooshian, along with Burt Longenback
of Clark, and Frank Bernhardt of Whiting, will exhibit watercolors.
Francis McGinley, the president of the NJ-AAPL, who lives in Toms
River, will exhibit an acrylic painting.
Shumway-Tunney believes exhibits like the League’s spring members show
are essential to the League’s mission of promoting the work of New
Jersey artists. “There are artists older than me who have been out
there battling for years and years. Years ago there were opportunities
provided by large exhibitions where artists from all over the country,
even the world, were invited to attend. These exhibits literally
launched their careers. We don’t have that kind of promotion going on
in this country. It’s either limited to museums or local organizations
like ours. I would love to see a situation where other state and
federal organizations promote large exhibits to really get out there
in the media – to make people aware of these things.
“People really need to see the arts as something that’s meant to be
enjoyed. I think the average American is very intimidated by the arts.
I’ve spoken to a lot of people who feel that unless an art critic says
this is good, or this is representative of something you might
appreciate or buy, people are reticent to admit they like something.
And yet, they know intuitively what they like. So you have this
conflict between really liking a piece and wondering if your friends
will like it. Ultimately, art really is about enjoyment and personal
pleasure.”
Spring Members Only Show, New Jersey chapter of theAmerican Artists Professional League, awards reception, Sunday, April10, 4 p.m., Bordentown Gallery, 204 Farnsworth Avenue. Princetonartist Charles McVicker, a member of the Garden State WatercolorSociety, is the judge. On view through May 18. 609-298-5556.Top Of PageArt in TownDynasty Arts, 20 Nassau Street, Unit F, 609-688-9388. The recentlyopened Chinese antique and art gallery features a silk-screen series,”Last Dynasty,” oil and watercolor, and limited edition prints. Artistand owner, Lu Zuogeng, combines Chinese brushwork with Westernwatercolor. Also, Chinese antique furniture of Ming and Qingdynasties. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to6:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.Historical Society of Princeton, Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street,609-921-6748. “Princeton Recollects” exhibition was organized tocelebrate the accomplishments of the Princeton History Project. In the1970s and 80s, the project was dedicated to collecting and preservingmemories, and publishing “The Princeton Recollector,” a monthlymagazine. The exhibition includes original letters, documents, andartifacts. Free. Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.Princeton Theological Seminary, Erdman Hall Gallery, 20 Library Place,609-497-7990. “Design Matters,” the seminary’s history in typography,photography, illustration, paper, ink, and other graphic elements. Thedesigns are on posters, magazine covers, websites, greeting cards, andbrochures. Gallery talk and reception with the artists on Monday, May2, 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. On view through May 27. Open Monday to Saturday,8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.Triumph Brewing Company, 138 Nassau Street, 609-924-7855. “JaneLawrence Paintings.” On view through June 11. Gallery open Monday toSaturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m; and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.Top Of PageArea GalleriesAbud Family Foundation for the Arts, 3100 Princeton Pike, Building 4,Third Floor, Lawrenceville, 609-896-0732. Exhibition of paintings,”New Naturalism,” by Alberto Rey. A professor in the art department atSUNY-Fredonia, he was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United Stateswith his parents as a child. On view through April 14. Gallery openWednesday to Friday, noon to 4 p.m.E.M. Adams Gallery, 440 Union Square Drive, New Hope, 215-862-5667.”Moods, Myths, and Spaces: The Varied Visions of Ed Adams and RobertBeck” featuring paintings showing the two artists’ interpretation of10 themes including streetscape, interiors, landscapes, tension,tranquility, love, floral, and a myth-based image. Gallery talk onSunday April 10, 2 p.m. On view through April 17. Gallery hours areMonday and Thursday, noon to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 8p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut Street, Bordentown, 609-298-3742. Openingreception for “Picasso Kids Exhibition,” a showcase of works of kidsages 7 to 17. Some work for sale. Through May 22.Gallery 14, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, 609-333-8511. “Glimpse ofYellowstone and Yosemite,” by photographer Martin Schwartz and”Hieroglyphs” by photographer Nick Barberio. Through April 17.Gold Medal Impressions, 43 Princeton Hightstown Road, West Windsor,609-606-9001. Newly-expanded gallery of photographer Richard Druckman,a freelance photographer for Associated Press. Six rooms and over 250photographs of professional football, basketball, hockey, tennis, andOlympic events. Photographs for sale are matted and framed and in avariety of sizes and prices. Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Grounds For Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, 609-586-0616. Aseasonal outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring the ISC OutstandingStudent Achievement Awards Exhibition. “Twisted Logic” by PatrickDougherty,” Earthwords and Geoglyphs” by Australian artist AndrewRogers. Show continues to May 1. “Focus on Sculpture 2005,” an annualjuried exhibition of photographs by amateur photographers and thefigurative sculptures of contemporary Norwegian artist NicolausWiderberg. On view in the Domestic Arts Building to May 1. OpenTuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., November to March; open Tuesdayto Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., April to October.Hopewell Frame Shop Gallery, 24 West Broad Street, 609-466-0817.”Spring Sampler,” a multi-medium exhibit by Susan Freeman of Cranbury.Works include drawings, etchings, papercuts, wall sculptures, andhousehold goddesses. On view through May 28. Gallery hours are Tuesdaythrough Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Morpeth Gallery, 43 West Broad Street, Hopewell, 609-333-9393. Sharedexhibition featuring recent paintings by Micheal Madigan and sculptorJim Jansma. On view through April 16. Gallery is open Tuesday throughSaturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.La Principessa Ristorante, Route 27, Kingston Mall, 609-921-3043. “LaDolce Vita, ” a collection of original photographs from Italia by EdTseng. The exhibition remains on permanent display. Restaurant hoursare Tuesday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m.;and Sunday, 4:30 to 9 p.m.Riverrun Gallery, 287 South Main Street, Lambertville, 609-397-3349.”Another Look: 1970 to 2004,” an exhibit of Alan Goldstein’s 34 yearsof painting and sculpture, is featured through April 11. His 1973painting, “Absolutely Sweet Marie,” includes the watery shape ofMarie’s face. Gallery open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.Taste of the Town, 5 Railroad Place, Hopewell Borough, 609-466-3666.”Reflections of Italy,” an exhibit of photographs by Michele BartranMosner. Through April 14.Top Of PageCampus ArtsPrinceton University Art Museum, 609-258-3788. Medieval, Renaissance,and baroque galleries are open. The museum’s galleries are openTuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Toursare given on Saturdays at 2 p.m.”Recarving China’s Past: The Art, Archaeology, and Architecture of theWu Family Shrines,” a collection of pictorial wall carvings that havebeen recognized as apart of mid-second century funerary structures.Through June 26.Also, “Some Art of the ’80s,” art examined through the works ofcontemporary artists including Sandro Chia, Eric Fischl, RobertMapplethorpe, David Salle, and Sean Scully. Through June 12.The Pennington School, 112 West Delaware Avenue, Pennington,609-737-6128. Exhibition marking the 25th anniversary of the fire thatdestroyed the school’s O’Hanlon Hall. Artifacts,news clippings, andphotographs assembled by archivist Mary Alice Quigley. The building,built in 1900, was the largest building in Pennington Borough when itburned to the ground in a fire on January 16, 1980. Through April 15.Exhibit hours are Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday, 9a.m. to 4 p.m. in accordance with the school calendar.Rider University Art Gallery, Bart Luedeke Center, Rider University,609-895-5588. “Isaac Witkin, Out of the Crucible: Images Born of Fire& Water,” featuring the work of noted contemporary sculptor IsaacWitkin. On view through April 10. Gallery hours are Tuesday throughThursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.Top Of PageArt in the WorkplaceBristol-Myers Squibb, Hopewell Campus, 609-252-5120. Outdoor sculptureshow features works by seven prominent East Coast artists: Hope Carterof Hopewell, Kate Dodd, Richard Heinrich, John Isherwood, JoelPerlman, John Van Alstine, and Jay Wholley. Exhibition is on viewduring business hours and will remain in its location for two years.The artists were selected by a panel composed of Alejandro Anreus,veteran curator and scholar, Jeffrey Nathanson of the InternationalSculpture Center, and visual artist Sheba Sharrow, working under theguidance of Kate Somers, curator of the company’s corporate gallery inLawenceville.Johnson & Johnson, Administration Building Atrium, Grandview Road,Skillman, 732-524-6957. Ricardo Barros presents “Facing Sculpture,” aportfolio of photographic portraits features 30 black and whiteportraits of contemporary sculptures. He also celebrates the recentpublication of his book, “Facing Sculpture: A Portfolio of Portraits,Sculpture, and Related Ideas.” Through May 6. Appointments required tosee the exhibition.Stark & Stark, 993 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville, 609-895-7386. NewJersey Teen Arts Touring Art Exhibit. On view through June 3.Top Of PageArt by the RiverArtsbridge, Prallsville Mills, Route 29, Stockton, 609-773-0881.Opening reception for the group’s 11th annual juried show under theleadership of Mick Byers and Judith Hoctor. Music by the Acoustic JazzUnit. Show remains on view through April 24. Exhibit is open daily 11a.m. to 5 p.m.Artists’ Gallery, 32 Coryell Street, Lambertville. “Field and Stream,”a shared exhibit of watercolors by Gail Bracegirdle and digital printsby Alan J. Klawans. On view through May 1. Gallery hours are Friday,Saturday, and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Coryell Gallery, 8 Coryell Street, Lambertville, 609-397-0804. AnnualSpring Exhibition featuring the watercolors of Joanne Augustine andintroducing a special show of a group of artists who participated inthe Delaware River Sojourn during the summer of 2004. On view throughMay 29. Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.Gratz Gallery, 30 West Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-4300. “JosephCrilley,” an exhibition of new works in oil by Bucks County painter.Works may be viewed at www.gratzgallery.com. Galley talk on Thursday,April 14, 7 p.m. On view through May 8. Gallery hours, Wednesday toSaturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.; and byappointment.New Hope Arts, Union Square, West Bridge Street and Union SquareDrive, New Hope, 215-862-3396. Second annual New Hope SculptureExhibition featuring an indoor exhibition of more than 88 works by 43nationally and internationally recognized artists and an outdoor showof seven large-scale works installed throughout the town. ThroughApril, 2006.Top Of PageArt In TrentonThe Classics Return, Ellarslie, Trenton City Museum, Cadwalader Park,609-989-3632. Shared show “The Classics Return” with works of BernardMoore, Susan Kiley, Anthony Colavita, and Aundretta Wright. ThroughFebruary 27. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sundays, 1to 4 p.m.Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-393-8998. “MoscowMakes, Trenton Takes,” an exhibit of close to 40 mid to late 20thcentury Russian paintings from the personal collection of Trentonbusinessman, Shelley Zeiger. On view through June 3.New Jersey State Museum, Galleries at 225 West State Street, Trenton,609-292-6464. “Vision and Voice: Princeton Artists Alliance inDialogue with Contemporary New Jersey Poetry,” an exhibit of over 40works by New Jersey artists and poets. Margaret M. O’Reilly iscurator. Through May 13. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m.The Old Barracks Museum, Barrack Street, Trenton, 609-396-1776.”Furniture, Curios and Pictures: 100 Years of Collecting by the OldBarracks,” a display in the exhibit gallery is included in the touradmission fee. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the last tour isat 3:50 p.m.Top Of PageArea MuseumsAmerican Hungarian Foundation Museum, 300 Somerset Street, NewBrunswick, 732-846-5777. “Calm Between the Storms,” an exhibit ofclose to 70 works of Hungarian Interwar Art from the Salgo Trust forEducation. Through September 4, 2005. Museum hours are Tuesday toSaturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.Hunterdon Museum of Art, 7 Lower Center Street, Clinton, 908-735-8415.”Almost Human: Dolls and Robots in Contemporary Art” and “Steve Gwon365: A Drawing Installation.” Exhibit of recent paintings by JohnGoodyear. Goodyear’s recent works continue to be rooted in the historyof art, pulling baroque and modern masters into contemporary works.Exhibits on view through June 12.James A. Michener Art Museum, Union Square Complex, Bridge Street, NewHope, 215-340-9800. New Hope satellite facility opens with therelocation of the popular, interactive multi-media show, “CreativeBucks County: A Celebration of Art and Artists,” featuring 19th and20th century painters, writers, composers, and playwrights. Also onexhibit, “Pennsylvania Impressionists of the New Hope School.” Also,”The Contemporary Eye” featuring the contemporary art scene focusingon 12 regional artists who work in media including painting,woodworking, and photography. Artists include Ricardo Barros, DavidEllsworth, Marily C. Gordley, Judith Heep, Alan Lachman, Ann Lovett,Robert Ranieri, Chalotte Schatz, Mavi Smith, Susan M. Twadus, andValerie Von Betzen. Through May 8, 2005. Museum admission $6 adults;$2 youth. Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday,11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.Closed Mondays.James A. Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown,215-340-9800. “The Artists Among Us,” a permanent interactive exhibitdedicated to the history and legacy of the artists who have made NewHope an internationally recognized arts colony. It is a permanentexhibition. Open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 10a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Museum admission $6.50adults; $4 students.Also, “Impossible to Forget: The Nazi Camps Fifty Years After.” The 88photographs were produced over a 12-year period by the Englishphotographer Michael Kenna. On view through April 10. $4 in additionto regular admission.Also, “Playing Around! Toys Designed by Artists,” an exhibithighlighting 50 interesting pieces from the Arkansas Art Center’scollection. Toys are made from clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, andfound objects. Hands-on section of toys. Through May 22.Also, “Animals on the Loose: A Mercer Menagerie,” an exhibit designedfor children ages three to eight and their families. Extended throughDecember 31.Monmouth Museum, Brookdale Community College, Newman Springs Road,Lincroft, 732-747-2266. “Dinomight,” an exhibit of robotic dinosaursset in a realistic environment feature Tyrannosaurus Rex and 15 of hisfull size, prehistoric pals, move, roar, threaten, stalk, and nurturetheir young. Dino Learning Center activities includes dig for fossils,dino climb, dino puzzles. Through June 5. Visit www.monmouthmuseum.orgfor information. $7. Open Monday to Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.Philadelphia Museum of Art, 709-721 Catharine Street, Philadelphia,215-922-3456. An exhibit of 88 paintings focuses on Rajput courts ofIndia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Illustrates themes of piousdevotion, poetic love, the play of Hindu gods, and the pleasures andintrigues of court life. Exhibit runs through mid-April.Ellarslie, Trenton City Museum, Cadwalader Park, 609-989-3632. “TheClassics Return,” featuring works of paintings by DeloresD’Achille,Salomon Kadoche, David Rivera, and sculpture Jim Gafgen. Onview through April 24. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.;Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m.Zimmerli Art Museum, George and Hamilton streets, New Brunswick,732-932-7237. Ongoing exhibits are “Art in Paris from Daumier toRodin” and “Japonisme: Selections from the Collection.” Also, “Beyondthe Limits of Socialist Realism: Part II: Theater Posters from theSoviet Union,” through July 31. Museum hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Spotlight toursevery Sunday at 2 and 3 p.m. Admission $3 adults; under 18 free. Freeadmission on the first Sunday of each month.Also, “Original Illustrations for Children’s Books.” Through July 17,2005. “Allusive Form: Painting as Idea.” Through April 30, 2005. “TheColor of Night: How Artists Work with Darkness.” Through July 31,2005. “Soviet Propaganda Posters.” Through July 31, 2005.Previous StoryCorrections or additions?This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
