(HAWTHORNE, NJ) -- On Thursday, February 17th, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm, the County of Passaic is hosting an opening reception for "Touch of Style" by Lisa and Nancy Quatrocchi, "Pencilworks" by Jerry Winick, and works from the County’s permanent contemporary art collection. "Touch of Style" and "Pencilworks" is on view now through Sunday, April 10th at the Passaic County Arts Center at the John W. Rea House.

"Touch of Style" by Lisa and Nancy Quatrocchi is a mother/daughter exhibit featuring oil on canvas works. The Clifton residents will showcase their interpretation and influence of nature. In preparation for her works, Nancy reads landscape and nature books as a source of inspiration. She equates her art to cooking, in how she mixes her paints and the types of brushes that she uses.

“My vision is for the viewer to finish his/her journey with the effects each painting brings to them,” said Nancy Quatrocchi. “It may evoke a feeling of calmness, loneliness, storminess and, finally, contentment. These feelings may occur during our daily lives and we, sometimes, take it with us to a place we call home.”

Lisa factors in the northern lights, the time of day and the weather as she crafts her works. She desires that those viewing her art can absorb their surroundings, open their eyes to the beauty that they may have overlooked, and to simply, make a connection.

“I am inspired by nature,” said Lisa Quatrocchi. “I try to capture the beauty that I see on canvas. Whether it is a landscape, or floral, I want to depict the scenery that is around me. The shapes, lines and forms are what inspires me to create.”

"Pencilworks" by Little Falls resident Jerry Winick reveals his desire to take the art of pencil drawing to new heights. Winick has been drawing for most of his life and is a teacher of pencil drawing at Pencilworks Studio, which he owns. He has won more than 300 awards for his drawings and his works may be found in numerous private collections as well as in museums in the New York metropolitan area.

“It is not unusual for me to spend three months on a single drawing, said Winick. “I am constantly building and developing it to its conclusion. Some people find it difficult to imagine that these drawings are done with only a pencil.”

The Passaic County Arts Center at the John W. Rea House opened in June 2019 and is open year-round Wednesday – Sunday 11:00am – 5:00pm. Entrance to the Arts Center and galleries is free. Those interested in showcasing their works can submit proposals on a rolling basis.