Lori Fol - Path to the Moon, watercolor, metallic watercolor and pen

(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- The Jump Into Pictures Art Show at West Windsor Arts is a must see show which will celebrate the vibrant world of children’s illustration and include fun activities everyone can participate in. The exhibition will run from July 18th to August 26th, with a free opening reception on Friday, July 21th from 7:00pm-8:30pm at West Windsor Arts.

Before children learn to speak, they discover and understand the world around them through lights, colors and sounds in graphical motion. Children’s books play an important role in shaping a child into the adult they will become. As parents patiently teach their kid’s their first words, they reach for the illustrations in baby books to relate a word to a picture. With their curiosity piqued, children devour picture books and simple stories, while connecting to their daily lives. As they grow, so do the illustrations, from depicting the mundane to showcasing abstract new ideas. These images also open a Pandora’s box of imagination and concepts for them. As adults, one can look back and reflect on the impact of these images on oneself, proving that these illustrations are meant for all ages. 

Artists featured in this show include: Ilene Dube, Lori Fol, Marzena Haupa, Mita Karnik, Eleni Litt, Deborah Pey, Kate Pollack, Georgina Ramirez, Jane Reed, and Rupa Sanbui. Both of their jurors, Rashad Malik Davis and Kelly Lan, will have work in the show as well.

Jane Reed - The Storm Arrives, acrylic on canvas

Artist Lori Fol tells the narrative behind her dreamy painting Path To the Moon, stating, “Oliver Bunbabbitt, or Olive B, as his friends call him, feels that the Moon cannot really be so far away. All he has to do is find the right way to get there.” She reveals the inspiration for her art, saying, “I have a deep love of the Moon. In fact Moon is my family nickname, so I depict it in many of my works. It is surprising that even though this piece is focused around the moon, it does not appear in it. It is the journey to, and how it is accomplished that matters.”

Jane Reed’s improvisatory artistic process uses color and movement to capture a child’s point of view in her painting, The Storm Arrives. Reed explains that her intention for this piece was to portray “the beauty and unpredictability of nature. Especially for a child this is a new experience. We don't know if she "sees" or imagines the boat. I want the action/narrative to express that, as she reaches for her hat, she knows she must act. It's time for her to join her family and keep the memory with her.”

The jurors who curated this exhibition are Rashad Malik Davis and Kelly Lan. Rashad Malik Davis is an award-winning author, illustrator and entrepreneur currently pursuing his dream through RaMalik Illustrations. He loves to explore themes of magic, the mystical, empathy, and diversity in a fun and humorous way. Kelly Lan is a Taiwanese American designer and founder of Hello Prosper, an arts education brand empowering the youth through storytelling. Her work amplifies the rich experiences and intersections of Asian and Western culture. She loves diving into topics about identity and belonging, especially through the historical and cultural lens.

The West Windsor Arts Exhibition Committee (a dedicated group of adults volunteering their time) have created some engaging opportunities as part of this show with a Photo-op and game. Visitors are encouraged to dress up as their favorite children’s book character and bring a copy of the book with them to the opening reception or any Saturday during the show between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Guests are then able to add their photo to the “Favorite Book Character Frame.” There will also be an “I Spy - Jump Into Pictures” game that will challenge all ages.

The West Windsor Arts mission is to cultivate the artist within us all, while inspiring a creative community that is engaged, inclusive, and equitable. Office and gallery hours are by appointment. Call 609.716.1931 or write info@westwindsorarts.org.