By Krystle J Bailey
There is a little over a week left to enjoy the two new exhibitions currently displayed at The Stockton Art Gallery. The two-story gallery has been home to “A World Lit Only By Fire” on the first level and “A Pinelands Portrait: Art of the Pine Barrens” on the upper level since Sept. 5.
Curated by Stockton University Professor of Art History Kate Ogden, A Pinelands Portrait: “Art of the Pine Barrens” celebrates the 45th anniversary of the founding of the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve. The country’s first National Reserve was established in 1978 and encompasses over one million acres of farms, forests, and wetlands in South Jersey.
The Stockton University exhibit is intended to celebrate both the Pinelands and the diverse artists who utilize the Pine Barrens to inspire their work. From painters and photographers to basket weavers and quilt makers, the gallery hosts unique pieces of work from over twenty artists, many of whom are local to South Jersey.
“With the goal of exhibiting as wide a range of art as possible, (I) looked for artists working in a variety of styles and media,” Ogden said. “The works in the show range from the straightforward to the picturesque, the scientifically detailed to the romantically expressive.”
Since the opening of the exhibit, the artists have been invited to discuss their work via panel discussions and artist receptions. On Oct. 18, author and artist Laura Bethmann taught an interactive seminar called “Hand Painting from Nature,” at which participants learned demonstrative botanical printing techniques.
Other contributing pieces include A Moment in the Pinelands – fiber art by Joyce Hagen, and Eleven Fires – a two-channel video by filmmaker David Scott Kessler, as well as over twenty other pieces of work inspired by the Pine Barrens.
Contributing artists include Professor of Photography at Stockton University Wendel White, sculptor Debra Sachs, artist and educator Glynnis Reed, photographer Heather Palecek, botanical artist Robin Jess, photographer of abandoned places Mark Olsen, realist painter Mark Natale, Stockton University Professor of Graphic Design Michael McGarvey, photographer Ruben Garcia, basketmaker Steven R. Carty, and several others.
The Stockton University Art Gallery provides an opportunity for the community to experience contemporary and historical art exhibitions and programming at its highest quality at no cost. The public library, located in the L-wing of Stockton’s Galloway Campus is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Following the main exhibitions, the Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Exhibition will take place from Dec. 3 through 8 beginning with a Meet the Artists Reception on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. in the lower gallery.
For more information about the Stockton University Art Gallery, visit stockton.edu/art-gallery.
Krystle J Bailey is a published author, multimedia journalist, copywriter, and content creator. She is a regular Shore Local columnist and digital contributor as well as the booking agent and co-host of the radio show Joe’s Table for Two on WOND. Krystle can be reached at KrystleJBailey@gmail.com
