The Medford Arts Center, nestled in the town of Medford, New Jersey, serves as a vibrant hub for the arts community in the area. It is a place where artists and art enthusiasts come together to celebrate and indulge in the beauty of creative expression. The center plays a pivotal role in enriching the cultural landscape of the region by offering a diverse array of programs and events that cater to people of all ages and interests. From art exhibitions and workshops to performances and educational programs, the Medford Arts Center is dedicated to fostering an environment where the arts can flourish. Its mission is to showcase local artists' talents and inspire and engage the community, making art accessible to everyone. With its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to the arts, the Medford Arts Center is a beacon of creativity and cultural engagement in southern New Jersey.

Medford Arts Center entrance, Medford, NJ. Photo by Chris Lillja

Art featuring faces holds a unique allure because it taps into our intrinsic human desire to connect and understand others. The Just Faces juried exhibition features works that are windows to the soul, conveying a depth of emotion and story without the need for words. They reflect the complexity of human experience, from joy and love to pain and despair, allowing viewers to engage in a silent conversation with the artist and the subject. This art form compels us because it mirrors our vulnerabilities and strengths, fostering empathy and introspection. Whether captured through the subtleties of a painted expression or the dramatic shadows of a sculpture, faces in art – even non-human faces - resonate deeply, reminding us of our shared humanity and the boundless capacity for emotion that defines us.

Think of the Possibilities, Maria Moreales. Courtesy of Medford Arts Center

Maria Moreales's first-place award-winning painting "Think of the Possibilities" shows a woman pondering her decisions and is executed in a remarkable "gritty" yet delicate style that emphasizes texture and multiple layers selectively exposed. "I have been doing a lot of abstracts, but I feel I need something concrete or structural to work with. I like to put multiple layers down and then sand, and things come through. It's a little odd for a portrait, but I like the way this one came out." said Maria when I interviewed her at the arts center. "It isn't too overworked. Doing something like this, the reference was blurry - I didn't use it except for the pose – there wasn't too much detail to stick to. I love the colors and that it didn't end up looking stiff and posed. A moment of relaxation – hence the title."

The juror of the Just Faces exhibition was Wendy Wagner, who earned a BFA from Moore College of Art and Design, lived and taught in Medford at one time, and currently teaches in-person and online from her home in Naples, Florida. In her juror's statement about Moreales' painting, she said, "One thing I ask myself with portraiture is: Do I feel the sitter's emotional existence? The dreamy expression and gesture, combined with light and textural quality, created an interesting painting where I can say, yes!"

Self-Portrait, Susan Barnes. Courtesy of Medford Arts Center

Susan Barnes, an instructor at the center whose painting received an Honorable mention, said, "I only do portraits from life. I'd do self-portraits every winter – for a lot of years just because I didn't have a live model available. I work from a mirror. I have done ten or eleven of them." Her small and delicately executed canvas shows a deft handling of light. "I took classes at Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia – it was a great education. We'd always paint from life, and they taught me to paint quickly. There are two kinds of painters – there are ones that belabor the work for a period of days or weeks – and then there is me – I work alla prima. Three hours, and I'm done! I also do printmaking and jewelry – I like them all equally. You just don't have time to do them all, so I get immersed in one for a while, get bored, then immerse myself in the other for a bit!"

Somewhere, Noelle Noyes. Courtesy of Medford Arts Center

Another Honorable Mention piece was created by Noelle Noyes. She said, "I was captivated by these rainbow steps in Istanbul. I found out that they were started by a retired engineer who wanted to do a project to make people happy – something fun for himself and everybody. At first, the government thought it was a protest of some kind, and they painted it gray. But people had already seen it and loved it, and it turned into a protest by painting stairs all over the city. Eventually, the government relented, and the rainbow stairs got to stay. I just thought the history was interesting." Noelle's family travels with her, and they sometimes get involved in the process. "My daughter helped me name the picture; it's called "Somewhere" as in Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Oh, and she named the cat Munchkin – like the 'Wizard of Oz.'"

Pensive, Diane Emerson. Courtesy of Medford Arts Center

Instructor and volunteer Diane Emerson entered one of her photographs of a young child in Just Faces. "We were riding one of those old-fashioned trains in central Jersey. You get on the train, and you go for a ride and then you take a break. There's a little museum, and while the train was stopped, I was photographing parts of the train that were interesting. I turned around and saw this little girl and her sister just sitting in the window looking like THAT. She didn't move while her sister beside her was going crazy, making faces at me. She was like, 'Get this girl away from me.' It was so sweet – she was just thinking and pouting at the same time."

They call it the "MAC." It is a busy, thriving community for dozens of artists and craftspeople, poets, and storytellers. It is a perfect example of how small facades can be misleading – after a modest entryway, the building starts with a lovely gallery space, then classrooms, and then a shop where they sell crafts, books, and cards. Their veterans' arts programs were so successful they outgrew the building and had to find another space in town. "There's something for everyone here," said Susan Barnes. The center is preparing for the Medford Art, Wine & Music Festival on June 9, which will bring approximately 10,000 enthusiasts to the town for the day. Later this year, they expect to put up their first exhibition, which is dedicated to and created by indigenous peoples in New Jersey. Indeed, something for everyone.

Main Gallery, Medford Arts Center. Photo by Chris Lillja

Medford Arts Center, Medford, New Jersey | March 1 - April 4, 2024