By Gina Marie Rodriguez & Dave Tavani, JerseyArts.com
originally published: 06/18/2026
What would you do if given the chance to choose the artwork set to inspire hundreds of thousands of museum guests? Opening the Vault: A Look Inside the GFS Collection, the latest exhibition at Grounds for Sculpture, seeks to answer that question.
Curated collaboratively by staff from the Guest Services, Development, Education, and Marketing departments — with guidance from the Curatorial team — this project opens the door for voices beyond the traditional curatorial circle. Grounds for Sculpture encourages newcomers and art veterans alike to experience a new perspective. Gina visits Grounds for Sculpture to speak with some of the staff curators and to engage with the art exhibition herself!
Opening the Vault is on display through December 31, 2026. Grounds for Sculpture is located at 80 Sculptors Way in Hamilton, New Jersey.
About the author: Gina Marie Rodriguez is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and actress. Her foray into filmmaking began at a young age as a way to avoid public speaking in school. From there, it grew into a love of telling stories and creating new worlds. Gina Marie boasts a Bronze Remi win from Worldfest Houston, Best Female Filmmaker from the Cosmic Film Festival, and a Best Actress in a Comedy from the Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival alongside nominations from the Golden Door International Film Festival, Official Latino Film and Arts Festival and Los Angeles Cinefest among others.
Dave Tavani is a freelance videographer and still photographer based in the Philadelphia area. In recent years, Dave has worked on a variety of projects, mostly for nonprofit and arts organizations. In addition to JerseyArts.com, he works on video projects for McCarter Theatre Center, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Visit Philadelphia, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and ArtPride New Jersey.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Alfa Art Gallery presents "Pigmented Perceptions"
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Alfa Art Gallery presents "Pigmented Perceptions," from September 1 to October 24, 2026. This exhibition explores oil and mixed media through the work of local fine artists. The Alfa Art Gallery invites you to experience the perspectives of twelve artists as they examine themes of architecture, landscapes, emotions, and identities.
Princeton University Library presents "The Art of Japanese Publishing: A Selection of Japanese Illustrated Books from the Marquand Library Collection 1660-1960"
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton University Library celebrates the art and evolution of Japanese publishing with a new exhibition "The Art of Japanese Publishing: A Selection of Japanese Illustrated Books from the Marquand Library Collection 1660-1960," curated by Nicole Fabricand-Person, Japanese Art Specialist, Marquand Library of Art & Archaeology and Holly Hatheway, Director, Marquand Library of Art & Archaeology.
Grounds For Sculpture presents site-specific work exploring the nature of time in "Shantell Martin: Past, Present, Future"
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Explore the fleeting nature of time through murals, daily meditative practices and newly commissioned sculptures in "Shantell Martin: Past, Present, Future," on view from September 20, 2026-July 23, 2028 at Grounds For Sculpture (GFS). The immersive, site-specific installation will feature new work indoors and sculptures in the park's gardens.
FEATURED EVENTS
