Corrections or additions?
This article by Sally Friedman was prepared for the November 17,
2004 issue of U.S. 1 Newspaper. All rights reserved.
In the Galleries
She was still in her teens when Joy Lober Anderson hit the road with
the Glenn Miller Band as the proverbial “girl singer.” She roamed the
world with the band, loving every moment of it – except for the
over-protection of the band members. “They were worse than my
parents,” says Anderson a lifetime later. “I couldn’t do anything
without one of my self-appointed ‘big brothers’ saying no!”
Singing and performing have been as natural to Anderson as breathing
for as long as she can remember. Her gene pool may explain why. Her
father, Joey Lober, was a child star who worked with Red Skelton; her
paternal grandmother, Edie Lober, played piano for silent films.
“Ironically, my own parents weren’t happy with my show business
career, which started when I was a child growing up in Philadelphia,”
she says.
Despite that, Anderson was driven to pursue performing. When she
returned from touring the world, from Australia to Japan and New
Zealand with the Glen Miller band, she headed for New York. Before
long, she was one of the leads in “Company” on Broadway, directed by
Jerry Adler, now of “The Sopranos” fame. Then, in her mid-20s, she was
cast as Evita in the national tour directed by Hal Prince.
“It was pretty exciting stuff for a very naive kid from Philly,”
recalls Anderson, who also sang with the New Christy Minstrels, and
performed for Presidents Nixon, Carter, and George Bush the elder. But
there came a time when Joy Lober Anderson, who married music
director/producer Gary Anderson in 1986, felt the need for something
different in her life.
“My twin passions had always been performing – and designing,” says
Anderson. “I decorated every single one of my friends’ apartments in
Manhattan and loved it. I began to sense that my spirit was truly in
the visual aesthetic. It felt like a calling.”
Anderson sensed that something was out of balance when she found
herself happier in New York’s famous D&D Building, the Mecca for
designers, than at auditions.
When the couple left Manhattan with their then-infant daughter and
moved to Skillman, Anderson backed off from performing, doing only
occasional gigs, and continued designing informally. But she also knew
it was time to get serious about the work she loved. In 1996 she
opened her own design studio/showroom in Blawenburg, one mile north of
Princeton at the intersection of Route 518 and the Great Road,
juggling her designer life with motherhood.
But Anderson is not one to rest on her laurels. “I guess the world of
show business has made me a bit driven,” she admits. “I’m high-energy
and I need to keep things interesting not just for my clients, but
also for me!”
So after expanding her space three times, Joy Anderson has decided to
refocus her design work, with art as mainstay. While she will continue
her design work for private and corporate clients, she is launching
the renamed “For the ART Of It,” using the same 3,500 square foot
space at the same location to display the works of national artists,
particularly contemporary ones. Arizona artists will be a specialty,
and so will authentic antique French posters from the Carrandi Gallery
of New York City.
Along with the art, Anderson is returning to her musical roots and
vast network of contacts, and adding ongoing jazz and other musical
performances as part of the ambience. A white baby grand piano is
positioned in the gallery window, giving new meaning to the term
“performance art.”
On the gallery’s official opening weekend, November 20 to 21, for
example, entertainers include well-known jazz trumpeter Terell
Stafford, the head of Temple University’s jazz department, and South
American guitarist Arturo.
On the roster for future appearances are Lou Soloff, one of the
original members of Blood, Sweat and Tears, Lou Marini of the original
“Blues Brothers” film, and Kevin Kuhn, who was featured as Pete
Townsend in “Tommy, The Musical.”
To add to the blended visual and auditory attractions, Joy Lober
Anderson herself will entertain gallery visitors with her singing. “I
still love to sing, and at this stage of my life, I hope to reach back
to that part of myself and share it with others,” said Anderson. “If
music is my gift, I want to give it to others.”
Also on tap down the road is the designer/singer’s hope that the
gallery will be used by private groups and organizations for
fund-raising events focused on art. Free Sunday musical brunches are
also on Anderson’s future menu for her “For the ART of It.”
“I guess some people would say that this is all a bit wild, this
combining of art, design, and music,” say Anderson. “But I think – and
hope – that visitors will appreciate having so many pleasures combined
under one big roof.”
– Sally Friedman
For the ART of It, Routes 518 and 601 (Great Road),Blawenburg. 609-466-0881. Opening weekend, Saturday, November 20, fromnoon to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 21, from noon to 6 p.m. Jazz,Latin jazz, and percussion throughout the weekend; fine art andvintage posters on display. Light refreshments. No charge.Top Of PageArt in TownCG Gallery, 10 Chambers Street, Princeton, 609-683-1988. Exhibit byShelly Lependorf and Stan Shire. Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6p.m. Through November 30.Dynasty Arts, 20 Nassau Street, Unit F, 609-688-9388. The Chineseantique and art gallery features a silk-screen series, “Last Dynasty,”oil and watercolor, and limited edition prints. Artist and owner, LuZuogeng, combines Chinese brushwork with Western watercolor. Also,Chinese antique furniture of Ming and Qing dynasties. Tuesday throughSaturday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 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. Theexhibition includes original letters, documents, and artifacts. Free.Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.Marsha Child Contemporary, 220 Alexander Street, 609-497-7330. Groupexhibition of art by new artists from The Netherlands, Argentina, andthe United States. Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; andby appointment. Through November 30.Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, 609-924-0103.”Images,” an exhibit of photographs and drawings by Janet C.Eschenlauer. Through December 5. Weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and2 to 4 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Princeton Jewish Center, 435 Nassau Street, 609-921-0100. An exhibitof abstract acrylic painting inspired by flowers and gardens byPrinceton resident Gilda K. Aronovic. Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to5 p.m.; Friday until 3 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ClosedSaturdays. Through December 5.Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, 609-924-4377. Exhibit ofoil and acrylic canvasses created by Princeton resident JannickWildberg. Through December 7.The Williams Gallery, 6 Olden Lane, 609-921-1142. Exhibit features theworks of a selection of artists from Japan, Australia, Germany, TheNetherlands, and the United States. Through November 27.Top Of PageArea GalleriesThe Artful Deposit Gallery, 201 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown,609-298-6970. “Against the Grain,” an exhibit of woodcuts andpaintings by Thomas Kelly. Tuesday through Sunday to November 21.Babbet Gallery, 120 Georges Road, New Brunswick, 732-828-5150. Groupexhibition featuring art work by the Princeton Artists Alliance inhonor of the gallery’s 20th anniversary. Artists with works on exhibitinclude Joanne Augustine, Hetty Baiz, Anita Benarde, Clem Fiori, CarolHanson, Shellie Jacobson, Margaret K. Johnson, Nancy Lee Kern, MarshaLevin-Roger, Lore Lindenfeld, Elizabeth L. Lombardi, Pat Martin,Charles McVicker, Lucy Graves McVicker, Ruane Miller, Harry I. Naar,Barbara Osterman, Tina Salvesen, Madelaine Shellaby, Marie Sturken,and William Vandever. On view through November 19.Family Framers Art Gallery, 15 East Railroad, Jamesburg, 732-605-7900.”Out of the Ordinary,” a group photographic exhibit with works ofVincent Valle, Brett Klersfeld, and Teddy Ehmann. Valle fromPrinceton, exhibits his recent photographs of natural abstract.Through December 31. Gallery hours, daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.;Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sundays.Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut Street, Bordentown, 609-298-3742. A showof artwork by gallery owner Eric Gibbons, and his great aunt, AnitaGish. Through December 18 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of theexhibition.Also, “Wizard of Oz Exhibition,” a show of photographic monoprints byEric Gibbons from the movie. Each image is unique, un-repeatable, andhave a dreamlike quality. On view through December 18. All work is forsale.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. Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Gourgaud Gallery, Cranbury Town Hall, Schoolhouse Lane, Cranbury,609-395-0900. Exhibition of mixed media entitled “EclecticExpressions” by Allentown artist Susan Winter. Works include oil,pastel, and watercolor renditions of local scenes and people. ToNovember 28. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 3p.m.Grounds For Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, 609-586-0616.Woven Metal featuring sculptures by David Paul Bacharach and VesnaYankovich. The Philadelphia Quilt Series, fabricated by Bacharach,features woven and folded steel and copper wall hangings. Yankovichcreated basket creations woven on a fabric loom and then sewntogether. Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the Toad HallShop and Gallery through December 31.Also, a seasonal outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring the ISCOutstanding Student Achievement Awards Exhibition. “Twisted Logic” byPatrick Dougherty,”Earthwords and Geoglyphs” by Australian artistAndrew Rogers. Show continues to May 1, 2005.Lambertville Public Library, 6 Lily Street, Lambertville,609-397-0275. Opening reception for the first solo exhibition forartist Bette Baer, “Diversity: Recent Paintings and Ceramic Art,”revealing her whimsical works of paint and clay. Through November 20.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.Montgomery Center for the Arts, 124 Montgomery Road, Skillman,609-921-3272. Annual juried show of works of art in oil, acrylic,origami, watercolors, pastels, collages, prints, photographs, and woodsculpture. Curated by Frances Chaves, the executive director of thecenter. Through November 21.Morpeth Gallery, 43 West Broad Street, Hopewell, 609-333-9393. Groupexhibition featuring recent paintings and still life curated byLafuente in conjunction with her solo exhibition. Tuesday throughSaturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Through November 20.Plainsboro Public Library, 641 Plainsboro Road, 609-275-2897. MuraliHarathi of Plainsboro presents a watercolor exhibit, “Pushing Past:The Royal Palaces of Hyderabad.” Harathi, an architect andconstruction engineer, render architectural details of buildingsamidst people and seasons. Art chat on Sunday, November 21, 3 p.m.Through December 5. Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday toThursday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Printmaking Council of New Jersey, 440 River Road, North BranchStation, 908-725-2110. Annual juried members show featuring prints by31 members. Artworks include woodcuts, etchings, digital prints, andhandmade paper. Through January 22, 2005. Sale through December 18.Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.;Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.Top Of PageCampus ArtsPrinceton University Art Museum, 609-258-3788. 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.”Bringing into Being: Materials and Techniques in American Prints 1950to 2000,” an exhibition of 30 prints exploring American artists totechnical advances in printmaking. Through January 23, 2005.”Contemporary Photographs from the Museum Collection.” Through January23, 2005.Lawrenceville School, Gruss Center of Visual Arts, Lawrenceville,609-620-6026. “Selections from the Raab Collection,” a collection oforiginal historical documents by Washington, Adams, Jefferson,Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan, Lee, Grant,and Churchill. Steven S. Raab graduated from the school in 1967.Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Through December 15(gallery closed November 23 to 30).Erdman Gallery at Erdman Hall, Princeton Theological Seminary, 20Library Place, Princeton, 609-497-7990. Exhibit “The Best of Us, bydisabled artists. Through December 10. Free.Rider University Art Gallery, Student Center, 2083 Lawrencelle Road,609-895-5588. “Wilbur Niewald: A Retrospective,” an exhibit of stilllifes, figures, and paintings. To December 12. Open Tuesday throughThursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.Rutgers University, Alexander Library, 732-932-7505. “The Mask ofCeremony: Recently Acquired Festival Books,” a study of the elaboratefestivals that monarchs and church officials staged in RenaissanceEurope to proclaim their power. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Through November 19.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.Top Of PageArt by the RiverArtists’ Gallery, 32 Coryell Street, Lambertville. Two-person show,”Now and Then: The Art of Merle Citron and B.A. Keogh,” an exhibit ofpaintings, sculpture, and experimental art. Through November 28.Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.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 works by 43 nationallyand internationally recognized artists and an outdoor show of sevenlarge-scale works installed throughout the town. Through April, 2005.Robert Beck Painting Studio, 21 Bridge Street, Lambertville,609-397-5679. Robert Beck’s “Separate Stories” exhibit, paintingsfeaturing images painted in Michigan, Maine, the Jersey shore, and thelocal Lambertville area. Weekends noon to 5 p.m., and weekdays byappointment. To November 20.Travis Gallery, 6089 Lower York Road, New Hope, 215-794-3903. “RiverReflections,” an exhibit of recent paintings by Daniel Anthonisen.Through November 27. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Top Of PageArt In TrentonDruch Studio Gallery, 920 Brunswick Avenue, Trenton, 609-394-3698.”Gleaning DeLight,” an oil painting exhibit by Jadwiga HeidiJedrzejczyk. Through November 28.Ellarslie, Trenton City Museum, Cadwalader Park, 609-989-3632. “BlueNotes: Chronicling the Blues from Polk County to Trenton.” Photographsby Phil McAuliff, Gary Saretzky, Eugene Piere, and Deborah Raven.Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. ThroughDecember 5.The Old Barracks Museum, Barrack Street, Trenton, 609-396-1776.”Furniture, Curios and Pictures: 100 Years of Collecting by the OldBarracks,” admission to the gallery exhibit 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. “Enchanting Modern: Ilonka Karasz 1896-1981.”Museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 1to 4 p.m. Through February 6, 2005.Hunterdon Museum of Art, 7 Lower Center Street, Clinton, 908-735-8415.Exhibition of unusual, eccentric, and functional furnishings bywell-known studio furniture designers and by emerging artists. Guestco-curators are Hildreth York and Ingrid Renard. Museum hours areTuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Show runs to January 9. 2005.Mercer Museum, Pine and Ashland streets, Doylestown, 215-345-0210.”White House or Bust,” the history of presidential campaigns frombroadsides to bumper stickers. Through November 21.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.” Museumadmission $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. www.michenerartmuseum.org.Also, “Edward W. Redfield: Just Values and Fine Settings,” anexhibition of over 50 works created by the 20th century Pennsylvaniaimpressionist. The exhibit features works from early studentsdrawings, landscapes painted in France, and some pieces never beforeon public view. Through January 9, 2005.Also, an exhibition, “Selma Bortner: Body of Work,” containingBortner’s prints from the late 1960s to 2004 including her New Mexicolandscape series. On view to January 30, 2005.Philadelphia Museum of Art, 709-721 Catharine Street, Philadelphia,215-922-3456. “African Art, African Voices: Long Steps Never Broke ABack,” a display of African Art, runs through Jan. 2, 2005.Also, an exhibit of 88 paintings focuses on Rajput courts of Indiafrom the 17th to 19th centuries. Illustrates themes of pious devotion,poetic love, the play of Hindu gods, and the pleasures and intriguesof court life. Exhibit runs through mid-April 2005.Zimmerli Art Museum, George and Hamilton streets, New Brunswick,732-932-7237. “Beyond Memory: Soviet Nonconformist Photography andPhoto-Related Works of Art.” Also, “Photo-related Works of Art.” Boththrough November 28.”Alexsandr Arefiev and the Artists of His Circle.” Through December31, 2004. “Designs for Theater, Opera, and Dance.” Through February13, 2005. “Transcultural New Jersey: Residents and Visitor, Works onPaper from the Collection of the Newark Public Library. ThroughJanuary 2, 2005. Pastels in Paris: From the Fin-de Siecle to La BelleEpoque.” Through January 30. “Beyond the Border: Picturing Mexico inChildren’s Book Illustrations.” Through February 6, 2005.Museum hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday andSunday, noon to 5 p.m. Spotlight tours every Sunday at 2 and 3 p.m.Admission $3 adults; under 18 free. Free admission on the first Sundayof each month.University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology,3620 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-898-4000. Australian AboriginalPaintings of the Wolfe Creek Crater. The museum is open Tuesdaythrough Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. $8,adults; $5, students and seniors. Exhibit runs through Sunday,February 27, 2005.Top Of PageAuditionsPierrot Productions seeks actors for “The Musical Comedy Murders of1940.” Auditions are Monday and Tuesday, December 13 and 14, at 7 p.m.at Kelsey Theater in West Windsor. The show opens on Friday, February18. For appointments or questions E-mail pierrotinfo@aol.com or call609-658-1233.Top Of PageCall for ArtVSA Arts of New Jersey invites two-dimensional artwork by studentswith disabilities. Age categories are under 12, and 12 through 21.Selected artists will have their work professional displayed in threelocations through the state. Application deadline is Friday, January28, 2005. Call Karen Singer at 732-745-3885 for information.Top Of PageHoliday HelpersLiteracy Volunteers of America in Mercer County has a wish list foroffice chairs, plastic floor pads to put under office chairs, andoffice volunteers. The group also seeks volunteers for the next tutortraining course beginning Wednesday, February 16, 2005. Call609-393-8855 for information.Womanspace is selling luminary lighting kits for the annualCommunities of Light to be held on Sunday, December 19. The projectraises awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault in thecommunity. Kits are available through www.womanspace.org.Ski Barn is accepting donations of coats through Christmas to help outarea families in need. Bring coats to their store at 2990 Route 1,Lawrenceville. Call 609-530-1666 for information.Plainsboro Township Police Department and Police BenevolentAssociation will collect Toys for Tots beginning Friday, November 26.Drop off areas for new unwrapped toys include Superfresh, PlainsboroTownship Police Department, Al’s Sunoco in West Windsor, and EdwardJones Investments, 109 South Main Street, Cranbury.Final pick up is Wednesday, December 15. For information call609-799-23333, ext. 516.West Windsor Township Police, West Windsor Lions Club, American LegionPost 76, and Maurice Hawk Elementary School, are accepting donationsof toys for West Windsor families in need of a little help.New unwrapped toys may be brought to the collection box located in thepolice building at the Clarksville and Post roads. For informationcall Patrolman Sam Dyson at 609-799-0452.Top Of PageFlu VaccinesMiddlesex County Public Health Department has an open telephone bankto pre-register eligible high-risk residents for flu shots. Call onMonday and Tuesday, November 22 and 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call the FluHotline at 732-745-4344 for information.Top Of PageHoliday VolunteersSalvation Army seeks volunteers for the annual red kettle campaign toman four-hour shifts throughout New Jersey. Donations are used toprovide hot meals, warm clothing, and small toys for childrenthroughout the year.Call Tricia Pellegrini at 908-851-8227 for information.Previous StoryNext StoryCorrections or additions?This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
