(DUNELLEN, NJ) -- Jo-El Lopez will present a special edition of Art in Conversation on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Monmouth Museum at Dunellen (266 North Avenue) in Dunellen. The free public event will feature an engaging artist talk by acclaimed abstract artist Bryant Small, followed by original spoken-word performances inspired by his artwork.
Titled "Ink, Color & Spoken Word," the program invites audiences to experience abstraction through multiple perspectives. Bryant Small will discuss the inspiration, creative process, and personal stories behind his work, offering visitors a deeper understanding of contemporary abstract painting.
Adding another layer to the afternoon, invited poets Rose Lawless, Timon Jackson, and Joseph Reuben Fuller will perform original spoken-word pieces created in response to selected works from the exhibition. Their performances will explore how abstraction, color, and ink can evoke emotion, memory, identity, and imagination.
Presented by Jo-El Lopez, Art in Conversation is a continuing series that creates dialogue between visual artists and the community by pairing artist talks with interdisciplinary responses. The series encourages audiences to engage with contemporary art through conversation, reflection, and creative exchange.
"Art speaks in many languages," says Lopez. "By bringing together visual art and poetry, we invite audiences to experience the artwork in new ways and discover personal connections that extend beyond what they first see."
The event is free and open to the public, welcoming art enthusiasts, students, families, and anyone interested in contemporary art and creative expression.
Jo-El Lopez is a New Jersey-based visual artist, educator, and cultural storyteller whose work explores the intersections of humanity, technology, spirituality, and identity. His paintings are included in the permanent collections of the Newark Museum of Art, the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, and the Morris Museum. Through Art in Conversation, Lopez creates opportunities for artists and audiences to engage in meaningful dialogue through visual art and interdisciplinary collaboration.
