December Exhibit: Cranbury Gardens IX-Works From Art In The Park

DECEMBER EXHIBIT AT GOURGAUD GALLERY: “CRANBURY GARDENS IX– WORKS FROM ART IN THE PARK”

By Bob Gilbert



The December 2011 exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery is entitled "Cranbury Gardens- Works from Art in the Park" and features "plein air" paintings by local artists. In the following question and answer session, Amy Amico, Chairperson of the Gourgaud Gallery, explains what this exciting exhibit is about:

Question: What is the concept for "Art in the Park" and who are the participants?  When did “Art in the Park” get started and who came up with the idea?

Answer: Art in the Park will be celebrating its ten year anniversary in 2013 and was developed by Bob Virgadamo when the Gourgaud Gallery was operated by Cranbury Township as the only municipally operated art gallery in the state. Since then, the gallery has become a part of the Cranbury Arts Council and the plein air sessions have grown into a very strong part of the arts programming offered by the CAC. The Art in the Park sessions run from May to October and offer a new location once a month where artists can come to paint at a location in Cranbury and the surrounding area. The program is free and artists who participate are invited to present the artwork from the sessions in the annual December exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery titled "Cranbury Gardens- Works from Art in the Park". Local artists visit the gardens, farms and historic properties and are able to paint from noon to 4 pm, rain or shine. Art in the Park has become a wonderful way for artists to meet and paint together in an open air environment

Q: What is "plein air" painting, and what are the advantages as opposed to painting in a studio?

A: Plein air painting is basically "live” painting at a location where the artist can view a scene and paint in the medium of their choice. Many artists work in watercolor as well as pastel, oil and acrylic. Some are able to take photographs of many different views to have reference for finishing the artwork at home. Outdoor painting lends itself to challenge the artist with a constantly changing environment with light, subject and season, as opposed to a studio environment where the light and subject can be controlled.

Q: How are "Art in the Park" locations selected and are there rain dates in the event of inclement weather?

A: Art in the Park is "rain or shine". Many of the locations are possible because of the generous homeowners in Cranbury who wish to share the beauty of their properties with the artists. Even a rainy or cloudy day lends itself to another "view" for the artist so there is always an opportunity to create from whatever the day might bring.

Q: Do the artists who do plein air painting generally complete the painting at the site, or do they sketch or photograph and complete the work elsewhere?

A: Each artist works in their own unique way, and the artists range from the beginner to the working artist, so some artists are able to create multiple pieces from one session, while others may sketch, take photos and do rough preliminary paintings and complete them at home.

Q: If someone wishes to join your group for plein air painting, how would they do that?

A: If you are a CAC member, there will be information sent out as soon as the next schedule is ready, usually in April. The website for CAC, cranburyartscouncil.org, will also post the information for those who are not members starting in May when the sessions begin. The artist can arrive at the location, sign in and include their contact info if they wish to be invited to exhibit art in the December show. While the sessions are free, donations to the Cranbury Arts Council are always welcome, as well as membership applications available to those who wish to support the arts programming that CAC offers to the community.

The Art in the Park, “Cranbury Gardens 1X-Works from Art in the Park” will open Dec. 4 and will close Dec. 26. The Artists Reception will be held Dec. 4 from 1-3 PM. Come and meet the artists, and view the wonderful art work. Refreshments will be served. In addition to the Art work, there will be notecards (of paintings from the members of the Cranbury Arts Council) for sale at a very nominal cost.

Cranbury Gardens IX

Works from Art in the Park 2011

December 4-26

Reception Sunday December 4 from 1-3 pm

Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-4pm, 1^{st and} 3^rd Sunday 1-3 pm, last Sunday closed for holiday

Linda Gilbert
"The Bicycle"

Amy Amico
"Fallen Beauty"

Tamara Woronczuk
"Patio Plant"

Please come to the Sunday Artist Reception at the Gourgaud Gallery, Cranbury Town Hall, to celebrate the art created from the Art in the Park plein air series sponsored by the Cranbury Arts Council. Each month from May to October, a different Cranbury property hosts local artists to capture the scenes offered at the beautiful farms, gardens and historic homes in Cranbury. Over 30 artists participated in this year’s series and the art will be on display through the month of December, making it a great time to purchase art for holiday gifts. All art that is sold gives a 20% donation to the Cranbury Arts Council in order to continue in its mission to promote and support the arts through its programs, classes, exhibits, summer art & technology camp and winter theatre camp.

Suburban Artist Guild Mixed Media Presentation

November 6-27

Reception Sunday November 6 from 1-3 pm

Gallery Hours - Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

First, Third & Last Sunday 1-3 p.m.

(Closed on Saturdays and 11/11, 11/13 and 11/24-11/25)

Mary Ellen Brennan
"Hideaway"
Watercolor

Robert Hyer
"In Flight"
Watercolor

For your information the Gourgaud Gallery is part of the Cranbury Arts Council, a nonprofit organization. Any art purchased at the gallery will benefit the Cranbury Arts Council for various programs, by receiving 20% from all sales. Cash or a check made out to the Cranbury Arts Council is accepted as payment. http://www.cranburyartscouncil.org/

The Suburban Artist Guild (SAG) has provided a supportive and social environment since 1963, for people who create art as an avocation or vocation, in the Central New Jersey area, and includes members from Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth Counties. The Guild's focus is to create a forum for artists by exposing them to technical, theoretical and historical aspects of art through monthly demonstration/workshop meetings featuring well-known and accomplished artists, enabling artists to exchange ideas in the creation of their artwork, and to foster an appreciation of the arts by the general public, by participating in group exhibits in a variety of venues.

SAG members exhibit expertise in a variety of media, including charcoal, graphite, ink, oils, watercolor, pastel, colored pencils, acrylics, Chinese Ink and Brush, and mixed media. Through the years, a number of the Guild's members have received honors and awards, and are members of prestigious New Jersey State and National art organizations. They have written articles for national art magazines and had their works featured in books of collected art.

For more images of Art from the Surburban Art Guild, see Facebook: Gourgaud Gallery https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gourgaud-Gallery/108657442495068

Become a fan of the Gourgaud Gallery Blog and gourgaud Gallery Fan Page

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION TO "WINTER LIGHT" OPEN CALL EXHIBIT

Hello Everyone,

It's that time of year again to prepare for another " Winter Scenes" January Exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery. Just in time for tomorrows first snow ! This is our Third annual event and the theme is “Winter Light.” We look forward to another very successful exhibit this year.

Find attached the application for your entries. Please be aware that if we get the same number of entries as last year, that we may have to limit everyone to one piece in the show. We are inviting each artist to submit a maximum of 3 pieces. We do our best to make sure everyone has the same chances for exposure.

The date and time for receipt of work will be Sunday December 18th 1-3pm at the gallery. We will then notify you of accepted work asap and any work you will need to collect. It would be helpful if you would provide your email on the application form so that we can be in touch more effectively. The reception will take place on Sunday Jan 8, 1-3pm. This year we have a theme "Celtic Tea." More information about this will follow.


Daniel P. Turner Thomas
Chair, “Open Call” Series
The Gourgaud Gallery, Town Hall
23 A North Main Street
Cranbury, NJ 08512
danielpturnerthomas.com
ggcchair@cranbury.org

         APPLICATION

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All purchases from the Gourgaud Gallery are made by cash or check made payable to “Cranbury Arts Council”. After a 20% donation is assessed to the non-profit Cranbury Arts Council from any art sales, the artist or group will receive final payment from the Cranbury Arts Council after the exhibit ends.

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GOURGAUD GALLERY “ Winter Light”

EXHIBIT TITLE:     Winter Light            EXHIBIT DATE :  January 2-30, 2012

Please print or use block capitals please:

NAME: ___________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:_______________________________________PHONE____________

E-MAIL: __________________

                               TITLE & MEDIUM                                                        PRICE

1. _______________________________________________________                        __________

2. _______________________________________________________                        __________

3. _______________________________________________________                        __________

By signing, you will be acknowledged as a group member under the guidelines of the Standard Gourgaud Gallery Application under the exhibit title “Winter Light 2012”.

Signature   ____________________________________    Date   ____________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(detach here- keep info below for your records)

All work will be received at the gallery on Sunday December 18 from 1-3pm during the day. A maximum of three pieces per artist.

You will be notified the week of Dec 20^th about pick of work that will not be included.

Reception Sunday Jan 8 from 1-3 pm.

The theme for the reception is a “ Celtic Tea.” Please bring something appropriate that would fit this theme. A selection of Teas and Welsh Scones will be served.

A notice of when work will need to be picked up will be sent out once a date is agreed.

Thank you for your participation in the Gourgaud Gallery Winter Light Exhibit

November Exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery: The Surburban Art Guild

The Surburban Art Guild will exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery from Nov. 6- Nov. 27.The reception will be held on Nov. 6 from 1-3.

The guild provides a supportive environment for artists in Central Jersey and has been in existence since 1963. The guild's focus is to help artists exchange ideas, grow in their knowledge of the technical, theoretical and historical aspects of art, and foster an appreciation of the arts by the general public.
Over time, the artists have exhibited their work individually and together at juried shows and galleries in New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, Virginia and other states. Local galleries also have been showcases for their work, including the University Medical Center at Princeton, Cranbury's Gourgaud Gallery, the Edison Arts Society venues, the Barron Arts Center and elsewhere.

As part of the non-profit Cranbury Arts Council, the Gourgaud Gallery donates 20% of any art sales back to the Cranbury Arts Council and its programs that support and promote the Arts in our community. The gallery is located in Town Hall and is free and open to the public Mon- Fri from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and the First, Third & Last Sunday of the month from 1-3 p.m. New exhibit receptions fall on the First Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Anyone wishing to exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery can obtain an application in the gallery or at www.cranbury.org.  Check the Gourgaud Gallery site on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gourgaud-Gallery/108657442495068and Gourgaud Gallery Blog: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6767992665680746300 for information on upcoming programs and events. If you are interested in CAC membership or participating in any way, please email us atww cranburyartscouncil@gmail.com. 

Art In The Park Exhibit Information

Thank you for participating in the Cranbury Arts Council's Art in the Park sessions for 2011. The December exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery, located in Cranbury Town Hall, will feature the artwork that has been created from the May-October sessions. If you are interested in submitting artwork to be exhibited, please bring your work to the Gourgaud Gallery on Wednesday, November 16 between 10-11 am. The application is attached to this email and must be filled out when your work is dropped off. Please read all of the information- no work that is not properly wired with name,title and price on the back of each piece will be accepted. Up to 5 peices can be submitted and the Gourgaud Gallery committee will jury the work for the exhibit. You will only be contacted prior to the exhibit if any of your pieces will not be included in the exhibit and arrangements for pick up will be made at that time.

The reception will be on Sunday, December 4 from 1-3 pm and artists who plan on attending are asked to bring a small plate for the reception table. The exhibit will run from Dec 4-26 and pick up day and time will be announced the week before exhibit ends. Thank you again for participating in Art in the Park 2011- we look forward to seeing all of the varied and beautiful artwork created from the sessions this year.

Please remind any fellow artists who joined you as some artists did not leave email info. Applications can also be picked up in the Gourgaud Gallery during the week, Mon-Fri 9am- 4pm located at Town Hall,23-A N. Main St, Cranbury NJ 08512.

Thank you,

Amy Amico

Cranbury Arts Council

October Exhibit: Sara Lee Pindar, At Home and Abroad

NEW EXHIBIT AT GOURGAUD GALLERY – OCTOBER 2011

BY BOB GILBERT

The new exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery, "At Home and Abroad", features the photographs of SaraLee Pindar, a Burlington County (NJ) resident.  The photos capture some of the picturesque and exciting places that she has visited, both far and near.

 I met SaraLee at the show opening on Sunday, October 2, and learned more about her.  SaraLee was born and raised in Philadelphia.  Her mother was an art teacher as well as an artist whose paintings were exhibited in the prestigious Philadelphia Museum of Art and in other venues.  From the earliest days, her mother taught her about composition and to “see pictures within scenes”.  SaraLee explained that “to see pictures within scenes” means that when appropriate, to find an interesting area of detail within a larger subject and then photograph it.  This principle ultimately became an important part of SaraLee’s technique.

SaraLee recalls that early in life, she found that she did not possess a gift for drawing, and ultimately turned to photography as a medium of artistic expression.  She started taking photos in 1957, but could not afford a darkroom or professional development services, and went no further with it.  Seven years ago, thanks to the development of digital photography, things changed.  She showed some of her Alaska photos to a relative, who was highly impressed and stated “you can sell these”.  Hearing such high acclaim, in conjunction with the availability of digital technology, prompted SaraLee to pursue photography more seriously.  She has been showing photos for the last five years, during which time she has been in thirty juried shows and has won seven prizes.

In the photo of SaraLee Pindar accompanying this article, she is seen with her husband, Gerald, who accompanied her on the journeys to the locations depicted in her photographs.  Gerald even assisted her with the taking of one of the photos currently on display.  At the time, SaraLee was attempting to photograph a swan in the water.  Unfortunately, the swan had the back of its head to the camera.  Gerald cleverly tossed a pebble in the water in the area where SaraLee was standing, prompting the bird to turn its head toward SaraLee and enabling her to get the perfect shot.  Way to go Gerald!

All are invited to see this outstanding exhibit!

Arco de Jesus
Additional photos from the show can be seen on Facebook: Gourgaud Gallery

 The Gallery is located in Town Hall, in Cranbury, New Jersey and is free and open to the public Mon- Fri from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and the First, Third & Last Sunday of the month from 1-3 p.m.

Sara Lee and Gerald Pindar

Our Activites are posted in the Monroe Township Newsletter on line

We are now listed under EVENTS in the Monroe Township e-newsletter:
http://www.monroenjonline.com/index.php/monroe-twp-nj-events-activities