(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) presents Colorblind, a solo exhibition of paintings by Val DeAppolonio from July 7 through August 29, 2025. Val is a self-taught, colorblind artist from Northern NJ whose bold abstracts pulse with energy and motion.
His work will energize our gallery walls throughout July and August! Also a DJ, Val channels rhythm into canvas, sneakers, and clothing—blending raw instinct with a fearless love for new mediums. Inspired by de Kooning’s chaos and Dali’s dreams, every piece is a trip through emotion, edge, and unfiltered creativity.
There will be an Opening Reception on Thursday, July 10 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. This will be an evening of curated original artwork, a live DJ, and a raffle featuring signed prints and a hand painted hat! Admission is free and open to the public.
“When I paint I search vigorously yet I do not quite know what I am looking for," said Val DeAppolonio. "Sometimes what I am seeking becomes apparent rather quickly other times it is an arduous task that takes fastidious determination. In any circumstance there seems to be a harmonious marriage of chaos and unpredictability to balance and harmony in my art. They are characteristics that travel similar paths whose confluence occurs when my brush touches canvas."
"One may be reminded of their daily lives when viewing my artwork – a landscape of endless change and challenges spelled ever too briefly by calm tranquility," he continued. "This unseen chaos that we cannot see is the catalyst to create what we actually can see. It can take a life’s effort to find this balance but this is what I strive for each time I work on a piece."
"If pursued vigorously and passionately a treasure can be found at the end of each of my artistic journeys. I will manipulate the commotion and chaos of the world in order to present something visually and emotionally appealing to the viewer. It is this evasive transformative balance that I yearn to discover and bring to life in my art," explained the artist.
The Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) is a vibrant venue that brings together local, national, and international artists across various disciplines, including music, theater, dance, and visual arts. With intimate spaces designed to foster a direct connection between performers and audiences, HACPAC is dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of Hackensack and beyond. Committed to community engagement, HACPAC hosts performances and events that reflect the diversity of Bergen County, encouraging conversation and connections through the arts.
