Cloudy skies did not dampen the spirit of fun at the sixth annual “Art in the Garden” event, held at Lang’s Garden in Linwood, on Sunday, Sept. 20. After postponing the show due to rain the week before, Stephanie Santini-Duff and Joe Duff, owners of Lang’s Garden, could not have been more pleased with a cool and overcast day—sans rain.
Visitors to the show were greeted by the soulful music of Marlene Howell, singer and guitar player, and Paul Gliatto on guitar. Their music filled the air and set the tone as attendees could stroll among the artwork that was displayed around the plants and flowers. Artists engaged with visitors and were able to discuss and answer questions about their nature-themed art.
Sunday’s show featured seasoned artists as well as newcomers to the art scene. Local artist Chuck Law has exhibited his paintings every year since the initial show in 2021. He is known for his oil and watercolor landscapes, still lifes, and plein air works. Law draws inspiration from his own garden in Linwood as well as nature all around him. One of the featured watercolors was a floral painting of a flowering tree found at Linwood Arboretum. Erin Daniels has also displayed her amazing floral and nature-inspired artwork at the show since the beginning and is one of the original organizers of the show with Santini-Duff. First-time exhibitor Valeria Sinclair of Vale Sinclair Fine Art was excited to join the team of artists at the show. Sinclair specializes in oil paint, as well as acrylics and pastels. The Nicaraguan-born artist has been painting since she was a child, but has called the coast of New Jersey her adopted home since 2017. She draws inspiration from the beaches, landscapes, and nature of the East Coast. Though she has only recently started exhibiting her work at art shows, Sinclair has already proven herself, claiming first prize of the People’s Choice Award at the Art in the Park contest held earlier this month at John F. Kennedy Park in Somers Point.
Different types of nature-inspired artwork were also featured at the show. Rachel Isaac creates botanical collages from real flowers and plant material. She also uses antique papers and wall papers, and vintage photographs to create magical and often whimsical framed artwork. Nichol Cannon displayed her one-of-a-kind handpainted birdhouses made from reclaimed wood and also exhibited her framed original photography featuring local New Jersey scenes. Nancy Rubin and John Hagan displayed their garden artwork creations that use reclaimed objects—mainly glass and metal. Their exhibit featured “glass flowers” and birdbaths that were made with antique dishes and glassware.
The show would not have been complete without a display of the artwork of Mudgirls Studios. Among the ceramic creations were handcrafted vases, plates, bowls, and other dishes as well as unique earrings. Mudgirls Studios is a nonprofit organization with a mission statement of being “dedicated to providing opportunities in art and entrepreneurship to economically disadvantaged and at-risk women by providing training and skills to transition out of poverty and onto a pathway of self-sufficiency…” The organization will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a fundraiser event “Making Hope out of Clay” on Oct. 21, at Stockton University.
One of the most unique types of art at the show was displayed by Lin Conover, owner of Woodsong Mushrooms. Conover is the ultimate mycophile, loving everything involved with mushrooms. Not only does she grow gourmet mushrooms and sell them to South Jersey restaurants; she conducts workshops about them, and even has them tattooed on her arms. But she also produces living, one-of-a-kind artwork with mushrooms. Using her own mushrooms as her muse, Conover captures the patterns and flow of fungi by making mushroom spore prints, resulting in ethereal framed artwork. Since the art is living and easily disturbed, Conover must be careful when framing or making prints of the artwork.
If you would like more information about these talented, South Jersey artists, we would love to hear from you. Send your comments and questions to: shorelocagardener@gmail.com.
