As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we continue to grapple with deep divisions on fundamental issues. Freedom, a concept often described as universal, is also profoundly personal. Questions arise: Can anyone truly be free under authoritarianism, or does genuine freedom reside in our intellectual and spiritual realms?
In honor of Black History and Women’s History Months, Studio Montclair presents an exhibition that brings together artists who invite us to rethink the meaning of freedom—whether political, emotional, spiritual, or creative. The exhibition imposed no restrictions on participants, resulting in a diverse array of works in size, medium, and style. Artists conveyed their perspectives through abstraction, realism, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.
The works on display encourage viewers to reflect on their own connection to freedom. They prompt us to ask ourselves: What experiences make us feel most free?
Participating Artists
Judyann Affronti, Nafeesah Allen, Teela Banker, Beyti Barbaros, Subhra Bhattacharya, Lindy Blanchard, Mariette Boerstoel, Janet Boltax, Cathleen McCoy Bristol, Andrew Burger, Judith Carlin, Joan Carter, Behnaz Chahkandi, Steven Cummings, Alina Dolitsky, Carlos Escalera, Mindy Flexer, Keita Whitten Foster, Alison Gilham, Jaz Graf, Curtis Grayson, Michael Hanna, Danae Higdon, Manman Huang, Tenjin Ikeda, Martine Kasmin, Scott Keeley, Gongsan Kim, Oxana Kovalchuk, Anastasia Krylova, Sophie LaBell, Pam Malone, Peggy Mayo, Michele K McLaren, Regina Miele, Pamela Moore, Warren Murray, Louis Nesbitt, Paulina Olivares, Gloria Pacis, Steve Patton, Judith Peck, Oscar Peterson, John Piccoli, Joseph Putrino, Vince Quevedo, Keith Rambert, Sonia Rapaport, Emeline Renard, Robert Richardson, Khalilah Sabree, David Schlosser, Amber Sealy, Jay Seldin, Cynthia Shaw, Dorit Shmuel, Glendora Simonson, Pankajalakshmi Sundaram, Shona Terpay, Nettie Forné Thomas, Peter Tilgner, Fahtimah Tolbert, Brittany Vogel, Barbara Wallace, Matt Wallach, Jerry Weems, Glen Wilbert, Violet Yin, Juno Zago, Roslyn Zinner
Curators Statement
As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we continue to grapple with deep divisions on fundamental issues. Freedom, a concept often described as universal, is also profoundly personal. Questions arise: Can anyone truly be free under authoritarianism, or does genuine freedom reside in our intellectual and spiritual realms?
In honor of Black History Month, Studio Montclair presents an exhibition that brings together artists who invite us to rethink the meaning of freedom—whether political, emotional, spiritual, or creative. The exhibition imposed no restrictions on participants, resulting in a diverse array of works in size, medium, and style. Artists conveyed their perspectives through abstraction, realism, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.
The works on display encourage viewers to reflect on their own connection to freedom. They prompt us to ask ourselves: What experiences make us feel most free? Echoing Dr. King, we are reminded to consider, “Can anyone be free until we are all free?”
Artists such as Nette Forne Thomas, Jay Seldin, Vince Quevedo, and others challenge viewers to pause and contemplate. Their works demonstrate that freedom manifests in countless forms, shapes, and colors, underscoring its rich complexity and diversity.
About the Jurors:
Roger C. Tucker III is an art advisor, curator and artist. Founder of Tucker Contemporary Art, he works with collectors and institutions interested in acquiring, exhibiting and promoting the work of emerging contemporary artists. He received his BFA from The Cooper Union and MS from Pratt Institute. Leveraging extensive experience in fine art, marketing and education, Roger advances the careers of African American and other underrepresented artists – academically trained or outside the mainstream.
Onnie Strother is a visual artist, lecturer, and curator, born and raised in Newark NJ. He is a former art and art history teacher with degrees in fine arts, art education and administration and supervision. He works in a variety of mediums with subjects derived from the media, popular music, political and social issues. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. His artwork can be seen in public and private collections and online.
Studio Montclair Presents
Reproductive Justice Panel Discussion, featuring speakers Tara Norman, Director of Public Health and Community Partnership, Planned Parenthood, Northern, Central, and Southern NJ; Roger C. Tucker III, art advisor, curator, artist; Sheryl Hilliard Tucker, strategic planning consultant, and trustee, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan NJ. Co-sponsors for this program are Planned Parenthood, Northern, Central, and Southern NJ and the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section. The program is Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Leach Gallery will open at 6:30pm; program begins at 7pm.
Registration is required by 3pm on Thursday, February 5. Link to Registration.
Building on Studio Montclair’s Reproductive Justice Panel Discussion, SMI continues the conversation of reproductive freedom by addressing the important issues of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking with speakers Kristin Wald, Board member and certified Domestic Violence Response Team member of Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (S.O.F.I.A.) based in Montclair, and Patti Pfeifer, Operating Council Leadership Team and Speaker’s Bureau member of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT). Co-sponsors for this program are S.O.F.I.A, NJCAHT and the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section.
The program is Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Leach Gallery will open at 6:30pm; program begins at 7pm.
Registration is required by 3pm on Thursday, February 19. Link to Registration.