(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- The Atlantic Highlands Arts Council (AHArts) will present “Real Abstract” in their main gallery from August 27 through September 17, 2022.  They will also present “Sandy Taylor and Carol Magnatta: A Juxtaposition” in their street level window galleries from August 21 through October 1, 2022. 

“Real Abstract” is the work of two seasoned artists and AHArts members, Mike Scherfen and Sandy Taylor. These artists represent a depth and range of experience that exemplifies the best of art being made in New Jersey today. Mike’s work builds off his years as an advertising art director and takes his keen eye to expressive heights in his realistic portraits and landscapes. He is able to harness the difficult medium of watercolor to bring out the inner personalities of his subjects and the textures and colors of their environments. Sandy's work exists "between Abstraction and Impressionism” seeking to "capture the transformation of nature, over time and season, as a metaphor for transformation of the self.” Her keene sense of material, color, and form create rich and vivid canvases that grab your eye as you enter a room. TOP IMAGES: (LEFT) Artwork by Sandy Taylor, "Interior/Exterior II" 30 x 40, oil/coldwax/mixed (RIGHT) Artwork by Mike Scherfen, "The Gatekeeper” 18x24, watercolor

On display in their windows galleries, “Sandy Taylor and Carol Magnatta: A Juxtaposition.” The artists’ note: This exhibition is a collaborative “Juxtaposition”: we recognize our very different yet similar love of painting, our mutual inspirations, our contrasting styles and approaches to the process. Our mutual inspiration is nature, color, the human body. Our work is from life, outdoors or in the studio. Our differences exist in how we choose to portray our subjects and how we handle paint. The immediacy of approach is the common thread that ties our work together. We find our joy interacting with the world to make art.

AHArts will be hosting an Opening Reception on Saturday, August 27 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and light fare will be served. The gallery is open from Wednesday through Sunday. For hours and directions, click here. Atlantic Highlands Arts Council is located at 54 First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. 

The mission of the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council is to strengthen community through the arts. They are a 100% volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization that believes in the power of the arts to transform and enrich communities. Their primary function is to develop and execute events and arts related activities for the benefit of our communities.