(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Montclair presents “Inspired by Quilts,” an exhibit in partnership with the Montclair History Center under the umbrella of Studio Montclair’s Virginia S. Block Community Partnership Exhibition Program. The exhibit will run from September 5 to October 19, 2019 at Studio Montclair Gallery, 127 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ. The exhibit features artwork inspired by the antique quilt collection at the Montclair History Center.

The exhibit encompasses not only quilts but also sculpture, photography, collage, works on paper and canvas, computer-generated works, encaustic art, and ceramic relief.  All of the works—many of which are non-objective—embody a physical or emotional reference to the quilt collection.

To create these works of art, participating artists were influenced by such elements as shape, color, the creative process through which the quilts were designed and assembled, the materials with which they were made, a written description of the quilt and its history, or even consideration of the woman who created it and her place in society.  According to Curator Virginia S. Block, “Asking one to garner inspiration from an antique quilt may seem like the result would be predetermined and obvious at first thought, especially due to the nature of quilting itself. However, each artist in this exhibit seems to have been ignited by a unique spark of originality. That being said, quilting was used as a springboard to a much more free interpretation within each artist’s process.”

Curators include: Virginia S. Block, Jane Mitchell Eliasof, Yvette Lucas. Participating Artists: Lisa Basile, Diane Cherr, Maryann Didriksen, Circe Dunnell, Sarah Fader, Susan Fidlon, Harriet Finck, Yolanda Fundora, Emily Gilman Beezley, Madeline Giotta, Rachael Grochowski, Michelle Harpster, Linda Hess Conklin, Rachel Kanter, Gina Kingsley, Claude Larson, Sharon Libes, Maria Lupo, Patricia Malarcher, Betsy Meyer-Donadio, Tara Mhella, Pamela Moore, Leslie Nobler, Courtney Novak, Mary Alice Orito, Alfonse Pagano, Susan Paladino, Kate Perri, Jean-Paul Picard, Norman Rosenblum, Ela Shah, Peter Tilgner, Susan van Inwegen, Louise Wheeler, Audrey Yankielun.

An opening reception will take place on Friday, September 6 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Studio Montclair’s Virginia S. Block Community Partnership Exhibition Program - Each year Studio Montclair partners with another nonprofit or creative organization to produce an exciting collaborative exhibition. These partnerships are designed to inspire our membership, create new connections, and to reach new audiences. This year we have partnered with the Montclair History Center to produce an exhibit inspired by their collection of 19th and early 20th century quilts.

The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is dedicated to preserving the community’s history, educating others about it and its importance, and sharing the stories of the people who have made Montclair what it is today. 

Studio Montclair 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. Founded in 1997, the organization includes over 500 members including artists from around the United States, as well as Europe and Asia.   

 

This exhibit is sponsored by a grant from the NJ Community Foundation. 

Images:

Norman Rosenblum, Untitled,  Color inkjet photograph, 16” x 20”

Jean-Paul Picard, Tape 03, Archival Pigment Print on Paper, 25” x 17”  

Audrey Yankielun, Morning Star, Used US Postage Stamps, 11” x 11”

Circe Dunnell, The spaces that remain: Overbrook Asylum-closed,  mixed media assemblage, 37”x 31”