Keepers Of Place by Nathalie Kalbach 10 x 10 (2025)
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Novado Gallery presents "If These Walls Could Talk," a solo exhibition by Jersey City–based artist Nathalie Kalbach, running from September 6-28, 2025. The exhibition presents a striking series of works that reveal the hidden personality, stories, and emotion embedded within the city’s historic architecture.
Departing from her previous mixed-media practice, Kalbach’s newest body of work embraces the purity and intensity of painting to explore the intimate character of Jersey City’s buildings. Each canvas becomes a quiet conversation between structure and history with a visual narrative where weathered brick, iron gates, and ornate cornices are transformed into “cantastorie”.
“These paintings are not just about architecture,” They are about presence… about the lives, histories, and voices that linger inside the walls” Kalbach sees each building as a portrait waiting to be painted.”
Rendered with expressive brushwork and a refined sense of detail, Kalbach’s paintings invite us to consider the built environment not as backdrop, but as living witness. Homes, storefronts, and brownstones are portrayed with sensitivity and respect, celebrating their endurance, mystery, and individuality. Many of the subjects are rooted in the artist’s own neighborhood, offering a deeply personal tribute to the evolving face of Jersey City.
Internationally known for her work in the fields of mixed media and art education, Kalbach here turns inward, offering a quieter, more contemplative form of storytelling through paint. “If These Walls Could Talk” marks a significant shift in her artistic journey and a powerful homage to place, memory, and identity. -E.S.
An Opening Reception will take place Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm and an Artist Talk on September 12 at 7:00pm featuring live music by Twisted Martini.
Nathalie Kalbach is a self-taught mixed media artist, writer, and advocate for historic preservation, whose vibrant works explore urban subject matter through a fusion of paint mediums and collage materials. Her unconventional path into the art world began as a sanctuary from her former role as a paralegal, where she discovered the transformative power of art as a means of storytelling and personal expression.
Based in Jersey City, NJ, Nathalie's artistic journey has evolved into a full-time pursuit, garnering recognition for her distinct style and innovative techniques. Her pieces have been licensed by respected companies and featured in numerous art publications. Nathalie’s passion for historic preservation informs both her artistic practice and community involvement in Jersey City, connecting art with cultural heritage.
Novado Gallery is located 2 blocks from the downtown waterfront at 110 Morgan Street, in the Modera Lofts, between Washington & Warren Streets in Jersey City, New Jersey. They are minutes by train from the World Trade Center to Grove Street. Ferry service from Manhattan to Harborside or Exchange Place.
The gallery opened its doors in December 2016. It carries an inventory of artworks on paper & on canvas, and provides a range of art services for corporate and private clients throughout the east coast including art installation, art commissions for specific projects, and museum-quality custom framing. At Novado Gallery, their carefully curated programming aims to showcase works that ignite dialogue, celebrate the artist’s vision, and challenge conventions. From established to emerging talent, each exhibition in the gallery has been created to resonate with intellectual and emotional depth. The gallery offers a welcoming environment where collectors and enthusiasts can engage with the art, nurturing their understanding and fostering meaningful connections.
Novado Gallery exhibitions also feature insightful events. Whether it's an artist's talk, a panel discussion, or a gallery tour, their aim is to bridge the gap between art and its audience, providing a platform for meaningful interaction.
