Studio
Montclair Presents Portfolio Series: Reflections
at Montclair Public Library November 2 – 28
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONTCLAIR, NJ: On Thursday,
November 6, 2014, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, Studio Montclair Inc. (SMI) will host the artists’ opening
reception for its exhibition Portfolio
Series: Reflections, on display at the Montclair Public Library from
November 2 through November 28. This
exhibition showcases the work of five artists whose work depicts the theme
“reflection.” Each artist explores the theme in a highly personal and
subjective way, with no two artists using the same medium. Collage,
photography, fiber arts, animation and drawing are all employed to their
fullest in the hands of these five very talented women.
Most of the artists will be in attendance at
the reception, which is free and open to the public. All of the artists
are SMI members.
The five artists in the
show are Rachel Kanter and Paula Stark of Montclair; Roshanak Elmendorf of
Ringwood; Linda Jacobs of Maplewood; and Michelle R. Thomas of Hartford, CT.
“Some of the works are about light and
its many forms of reflection,” says Curator Lisa Sanders, “while others depict
the theme in its meditative sense, as in carefully considering and reflecting
upon experiences, cultures and personal relationships.”
SMI Gallery Director Amy Becker
explains, “Every November, the library is the site of an SMI Portfolio Series exhibition that
provides an opportunity for SMI members to showcase a body of work.”
About the artists
The works by fiber
artist Rachel Kanter portray the theme “reflection” as the revisiting of Jewish
ritual objects through the lenses of tradition, domestic roles and modern
ideas. Kanter uses embroidery, aprons, kitchen towels, and other household
objects as the substrate for her artistic and personal reflection.
Paula Stark’s landscape-inspired paper
collages capture the subtle variations of reflected light, color, texture and
space found in nature. Her work draws upon observation and contemplation, which
bring an especially fresh point of reference to the landscape genre.
Iranian-born Roshanak Elmendorf uses
moving images—animated drawings, photographs and film—to represent her inner
reflections of memory and culture. Her work intertwines memory and poetry to
create a unique personal and cultural narrative.
In the work of multi-media artist
Michelle R. Thomas, the theme of reflection harkens to the phrase, “pause and
reflect.” Thomas is a retired airmen of the U.S. Air Force/Connecticut Air
National Guard, and her works for this exhibition reflect the many facets of
her experience in the military and the people with whom she served.
Photographer Linda Jacobs’ photogram
images capture the reflective qualities of light. Her careful selection of
objects used in the images reveals a fascinating interplay of memory, free
association and abstraction that compel the viewer to respond to the work at a
very personal level.
About the Curator
Lisa Sanders received her MFA from the New York Studio
School in 2011. Her work has been exhibited twice at the John Davis Gallery,
Hudson, NY; outdoors in Art in Nature
at Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills, NJ; at Gallery 202, DUMBO, NY; Reverol
& Co., New Rochelle, NY; Governors
Island Art Fair, New York, NY; the Box Gallery, Galesburg, IL; and the Arts
Guild of New Jersey, Rahway. She has
received awards from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (2014 Artists
Fellowship), the New York Studio School (sculptor in residence), and the
Vermont Studio Center (fellowship residency). Lisa lives and works in Newark,
NJ. Lisa is on the SMI board and serves as Exhibitions Coordinator.
About the Gallery Director
Amy
Becker is the SMI Gallery Director for exhibitions at the Montclair Public
Library. Ms. Becker is also a Studio Montclair board member and serves as a Communications
Coordinator. Additionally, she serves on the board of the Madison Arts and
Culture Alliance. Ms. Becker is an award-winning fine art photographer. Her
work has appeared nationally, and regionally in such institutions as the Morris
Museum, Noyes Museum, Hunterdon Art Museum, George Segal Gallery, Aljira, and in
New York galleries Soho Photo, Pen and Brush Club, and Ceres Gallery.
Montclair Public Library is located at 50 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ. Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday
10am – 8pm; Friday–Saturday 10am – 6pm; Sunday 1-6pm.
http://www.montclairlibrary.org
Studio Montclair Inc. (SMI) is a
nonprofit organization of exhibiting professional artists and others interested
in the visual arts. Its mission is to promote culture and education in the
visual arts and encourage emerging artists.
http://www.studiomontclair.org
This program is made
possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the
Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the
Arts. These funds are administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and
Historic Affairs.
