Studio Montclair Inc. (SMI), the artists’ organization founded in Montclair in 1997, is opening two art galleries in the town’s new, energy-efficient Academy Square office building. The new galleries on the first and second floors will more than double the exhibition space available to the 250-member group.

Paired exhibits will run concurrently three to four times a year, with the same reception dates and times. Viewing is available from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday or by appointment. The first Shows will run from Sept. 24, 2010, to Jan. 2, 2011. The opening reception will be held Friday, Sept. 24 from 6 – 9pm. SMI will continue to maintain its offices in the Clark House, 108 Orange Road, Montclair.

The Academy Square property, at 33 Plymouth Street, was the site of the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School from 1950 to 2004. In 2004 Cadbury Properties LLC purchased the Gibbs property and in 2007 partnered with the Bravitas Group Inc., to preserve the building’s architectural details and rehabilitate and restore the building, refitting it for use as business, professional and medical offices. Recognizing the enormous impact that buildings have on our environment, the development team committed to pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification through the U.S. Building Council. More info: academysquaremontclair.com

Bob Silver, president and co-founder of the Bravitas Group, based in Montclair, NJ invited SMI to organize, curate, and hang exhibits featuring the work of its artists in the foyer and hallways of Academy Square.

Exhibition Dates: September 24, 2010 to January 2, 2011

Artist Reception: Friday, September 24, 2010 from 6 – 9pm

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or by appointment
Address: 33 Plymouth Street, Montclair, NJ ~ 07042 ~ 973 744 1818
Email: studiomontclair@aol.com

THE SMI GALLERY @ ACADEMY SQUARE –  Ground floor of the building.

The SMI Gallery will feature the work of working professional artists.

“Studio Montclair – Genesis and Evolution”

Featuring the work of 14 the founders and Board members of Studio Montclair

Virginia S. Block, Alice Bryant Cubicciotti, Elaine Golt Gongora, Jean Kawecki, Catherine Kinkade, Hilary Shank Kuhl, Clarence Mather, Arthur Paxton, Sharon Pitts, Patricia Ritchie, Christina Saj, Charlee Swanson, Sarah Teofanov, Joan Vaccaro

Gallery Director and Curator: Rachel Liebman

Assistant Gallery Director: Pam Cooper

THE SMI VIRGINIA S. BLOCK GALLERY –  Second floor of the Building.

The Virginia S. Block Gallery will show the work of under-represented or emerging artists.

“Of Three Minds”

Featuring the work of SMI members Ekaterina Ermilkina, Ruth Bauer Neustadter and

Bill Westheimer

Gallery Director and Curator: Virginia S. Block

Assistant Gallery Director: Karen Nielson-Fried