When thinking of train stations, we tend to think of hurried, busy places where semi strangers gather to catch transport to and from destinations that are easier and more efficient to get to by train than any other mode of transportation.
The Hopewell Train Station used to be in this category.
Built in 1876, the Hopewell Station helped spur the growth of Hopewell and Pennington. It saw 20 trains a day between Philadelphia and New York City in its heyday.
Retired from service in 1982, the station — with its distinctive mansard roof, gingerbread woodwork, and decorative arches showcasing the building’s Second Empire style — is still alive and kicking.
Owned and maintained by Hopewell Borough, the first-floor large room serves as a community center and is named after David Knights, a Hopewell councilman who was integral to rejuvenating the station.
Currently the room is used for election voting, community meetings, and the weekly meeting of artists who are there every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. These artists have been meeting in the station’s lower floor rooms since 2008. The artist sessions fall under the umbrella of Hopewell recreational activities. Chairs and tables are supplied by the borough and are stowed away after each meeting.
The Hopewell Station Artists group began meeting in 2007 at the Hopewell Borough Library. Original member Lucia Stout then asked Councilman Knights if the group could meet at the station. The rest is current history. Except for a period during the pandemic when the group met via Zoom, the station has been a home to these local and not-so-local artists.
When I visited there were six artists working away in pastel, pencil, and water color. Primarily painters, the group sometimes number up to 15. During the nice weather, some may also be outside painting the environs around the station.
As Stout describes, “At first I put a notice in the local paper. Now artists find out about us through word of mouth. Many of us artists at the station participate in the annual Hopewell Tours Des Arts, an annual artist studio tour and sale. The station is used as a starting point for that event. The Artists at the Station have done a few shows off-site together before COVID. We may do so again.”
Stout is the glue that keeps the group active and interested. She opens and closes the building for the group in concert with the borough. The group communicates via the Slack app.
Stout is an artist and farmer and has lived in Hopewell for many years. She is originally from Columbia County in upstate New York and later Rowayton, Connecticut.
“When I moved to Hopewell in 1981, I discovered that my Stout ancestors were some of the first settlers here. My secondary school, the Thomas School in Rowayton, had an excellent art program. I studied art history, architecture, and studio art at Vassar College. I’ve studied studio art independently ever since.”
Stout says, “Three hours gives us enough time to set up, greet each other, do any critiques, and get down to work. Our mission is simple, to make time to practice our art and to be welcoming to artists who want to join in.”
“I would describe myself as an eclectic artist working in pastels, walnut ink, oil, watercolor, and photography. I’m a signature member of the Pastel Society of New Jersey and the Garden State Watercolor Society. I paint landscapes, florals, and animal portraits.”
“My husband, Charlie, and I have lived on Beechtree Farm for 36 years. We raise beef cattle and sheep on our 58 acres of pasture and sell grass-fed meats from our farm and local markets. We entered a farmland preservation program in 2006, so this land will always be a farm.”
Stout acknowledges that farming is a strong influence for her artwork. “This beautiful farm is the major subject of my artwork. During the pandemic I invited the Artists at the Station out to plein air paint at the farm. I’m hoping we can do that more often.”
The group is mainly painters as their work is generally portable enough to travel to the meeting room once a week. The group, once assembled, “falls into the rhythm of the day,” Stout says. “First we talk for a while, look at what everyone has brought in on that particular day, and then we get to work. We put on music and work. We really keep it simple.”
The large community room is warm in the winter and cooled in the summer. There is a smaller room with an original Franklin stove for spillover artists on the days when the crowd is too large.
Linda Bradshaw is a regular, though she’s about to move to Vermont. After teaching art in the Hopewell Schools for 22 years, she is now retired and has appreciated being able to come to the station to paint. “We critique each other and are eager to see what each other has worked on during the past week. We are open to suggestions.”
Semi-retired professor Tim McGee from Rider University is working on some sunflowers in watercolor. Looking like the business and English professor he is, in his tweed jacket with elbow patches, he seems to be enjoying the return to painting after a long absence. “I got away from painting and am happy to return at this point,” he says.
Aurelle Sprout of Lambertville comes each Tuesday, “For the camaraderie, to get feedback, and I must also say we are all fairly environmentally minded. In this part of the state we all live in nature, so we are interested in keeping it green and prosperous.”
Princeton artist Helen Mazur says, “I have not been painting forever, so when I started going to the train station I learned so much about art and how the local art world works. I heard about upcoming shows that one could participate in, events related to art, what supplies people were using, and of course feedback on my paintings.
“Many of these people have become good friends. I have really enjoyed the social aspects of painting and growing with other likeminded people. I have a solo show coming up at the Nassau Club in Princeton, opening reception on June 12, and I am sure my train station friends will be there to support me. Art continues to be a journey for me and having a network alongside me means a lot.”
Heather Barros of Princeton says, “I’ve been meeting with the group for five years or so. Lucia is an amazing leader. She enthusiastically gives good advice, and if she can’t open the train station for some reason, she finds someone who can. Some of us use the lovely north lit window sills to set up a still life and others bring their own references to work from. We’ve made friends with each other, sometimes meeting outside to plein air paint together. We shop talk and trade sample papers, pastels, paint and ideas.”
Ilene Dube, the Princeton Junction, artist, filmmaker, and writer is also a regular to the station. “I first learned about Artists at the Station about 10 years ago from Jan Purcell. The group sounded so idyllic, meeting in the beautifully renovated train station, making art together, sharing ideas, inspiration, materials, and feedback. I have produced a series of videos of artist communities and so one day I headed out to Hopewell, video camera in hand. As I was shooting, the artists were so welcoming and invited me to join them and paint. And so I did. I have come to feel like the Artists at the Station is family.”
Hopewell artist Janet Purcell is also a regular A longtime area arts and culture writer, painter, novelist, and the champion of numerous area artists, Purcell puts the station sessions in context by saying, “I know how (coming here) feels myself. Packing up my materials to go to the station to paint, sometimes I have no energy. But when all is done, I am very glad I came. It’s not easy to do. It takes talent, plus discipline and dedication. It is a commitment, and we need to keep momentum.”
Though seeming to be a New Jersey rooted group, some Hopewell Station Artists come from around the world. For example, Toshimi Nozawa is a Hopewell resident originally from Japan. She is working on pastels of her cat and says she finds the group, “Free and kind, even if we cannot communicate so well, we still communicate easily about the art.”
Christine Seo, originally from Seoul, Korea, travels from Chesterfield, Burlington County. “I joined in May, 2015. Working with this group was a turning point for me. It was interesting to hear them share their opinions on our paintings. The conversation is constructive, not just fun. It is true that we love art and joyful painting together. If I hadn’t met and worked with them, I might still be walking in the fog. The station artists group has had a great influence on me and my work.”
The artists inspire and encourage each other, as Lucia Stout says, “No matter what, I spend three hours a week on my art. It’s too easy to let the weeks roll by without giving time to be creative. I’ve made wonderful friendships with fellow artists. Together we’ve created a community of people who are interested in art and are supportive of each other. When one artist has an opening, many of us will be there. Often, we collect each other’s work. When a station artist has a success it’s reason for us all to celebrate. And it is fun to watch artists evolve and improve.”
For more information: artistsatthestation@gmail.com.
