Studio Montclair presents the exhibit, “A Town Called Montclair” to run from May 3 through July 12, 2018, at the Academy Square Galleries, 33 Plymouth Street, Montclair, NJ. An opening reception will take place Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 6 to 9pm.
Academy Square Galleries
33 Plymouth Street,
Montclair, NJ 07042
HOURS:
Monday to Friday 7am – 7pm
As the inaugural exhibition of Studio Montclair’s initiative to provide an “incubator space” for new and emerging artists, “A Town Called Montclair” features the work of two local artists, Fernando Mariscal and Chelsea Smith. The works in the show reflect the rich history and vibrancy of Montclair as represented by its unique architecture, abundant parks, and its reputation as a thriving community of working artists for nearly two centuries.
Mariscal’s intuitive palette features unmistakable bright chalk pastels, with energetic strokes capturing well-known Montclair vistas. Smith’s haunting, ethereal photographs provide a powerful counterpoint to Mariscal’s work, and take the extra step of physically manipulating our environment to evoke storytelling rich for pondering. Her art features known local areas such as Nishuane Park, Montclair Center, and Mills Reservation. Both artists are involved in local groups dedicated to building our community of active, progressive artists, and solidifying Montclair’s 150 year-old legacy as an independent cultural powerhouse in the region, an anniversary being widely celebrated during this Spring’s May in Montclair activities.
Participating Artists: Fernando Mariscal, Chelsea Smith
Fernando Mariscal studied art in his native Cusco, Peru and later at Essex Community College in NJ. In addition to creating murals in both Cusco and New Jersey, he has won competitions to have his work featured on the cover of Montclair Townscape Magazine in 2012-2013 and 2015-2016. He participates in collective exhibitions in New Jersey and New York.
Chelsea Smith has been a Montclair photographer and filmmaker for over 11 years. Her experimental films have been screened at Index Art Gallery. She graduated from Montclair State University in 2012 with a BFA in Filmmaking and a BA in English.
CURATORS
Directors Kathryn Waggener McGuire and Lisa Diamond Rosenthal; Guest Mentor Amy Tingle
Kathryn Waggener McGuire is a painter, art historian, museum educator, and host of the Montclair Figure Drawing Group. She moved to Montclair after working with special exhibitions in the Education department of The Metropolitan Museum of Art for many years and completing her Master’s degree in Museum Education and Historical Research at Teachers College, Columbia University. She has since written and curated extensively on American Artist A.B. Jackson, and focused on developing programs for museum audiences with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Lisa Diamond Rosenthal is a painter and sculptor. She is also the former owner of Montclair’s Nandi School of Art, a local art hub where she employed more than 20 area artists and art teachers to support year-round classes in painting, ceramics, fiber arts, animé, and sewing. Each year, Lisa assists various non-profits by facilitating acquisitions and curating large-gallery art shows for fundraisers. She was recognized by U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell and the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA) for raising significant funds for NJCASA’s crisis hotline for women through Montclair’s Rock ‘n’ Art Ball, an event she spearheaded, developed, and oversaw. A graduate of Cornell University, Lisa now owns and operates a life-and-health coaching business in Little Falls, N.J.
Amy Tingle is the co-owner of The Creativity Caravan, a gallery, workshop space, and imaginarium located at 28 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair.