![Mary Kooi's "From County Clare To Cuenca" On Display At Pearl Street Gallery](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2017/MaryKooiArt.jpg "Mary Kooi's "From County Clare To Cuenca" On Display At Pearl Street Gallery")
(ELIZABETH, NJ) -- The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is presenting an exhibit of paintings by Mary Kooi of Summit in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “County Clare to Cuenca” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through March 31. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays.
“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Ms. Kooi’s beautiful landscape paintings.”
Mary is originally from the Chicago area, and transplanted to Summit in 2000. She works in textile and furniture as an outside sales representative at Thibaut/Duralee in the D&D building in NYC servicing the interior design community.
Mary has been a student of art most of her life, minoring in Art at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana, and earning a BFA in Textiles from the Art Institute of Chicago. Mary continues her studies under the instruction of Valeri Larko at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit. Mary has had the opportunity to travel to Monhegan Island, Maine, Maryland, the Cape, Delaware, Ireland, Italy and Spain with fellow artists to find inspiration for canvases like those displayed in this exhibit.
Mary’s painting reflects her love of light and color, particularly as reflected in outdoor scenes. Her work has been exhibited extensively in one-woman and group shows including: the Papermill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ; Edward Hopper House, Member’s Show, Nyack, NY; the Springfield, New Providence, Summit and Bernardsville Libraries; Visual Art Center of NJ, Summit; and other venues.
Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550.
