Remembering The Pitman Art Stroll

This week would have been the Fifth Annual Pitman Art Stroll put on by Pitman Gallery and Art Center. Unfortunately, due to the impacts of COVID-19, they had to make the difficult decision to close.

While open, they did amazing things for the South Jersey art scene! They not only provided a place for local and regional artists to show their work, live music, and art classes; They also gave amazing advice and guidance. I am so grateful for all that they did and the opportunities they created for artists and the public to learn about and enjoy art.

Shoutout to Print Signs and Designs for their amazing quality signs throughout the years. They held up great through all the transitional weather September brings. I am so glad I purchased my banners to hold on to these special memories.

4th Annual Pitman Art Stroll

"Caught in a Country Moment" was selected to be included in the 4th Annual Pitman Art Stroll. Look for the banner along Broadway and see the original painting in the Pitman Art Gallery and Art Center from September 6-28th. The opening reception is September 6th from 6-9PM. I am so grateful and excited to for this opportunity to show my work in the town of Pitman!

2018 Pitman Art Stroll

"The Nameless" will be on display during Pitman's 3rd Annual Pitman Art Stroll. Look for the banner along the Broadway and see the original in the Pitman Gallery & Art Center from September 1-30. The opening reception is September 1st from 6-8PM. I am so grateful and excited for this opportunity to show my work in the town of Pitman!

Pitman Gallery & Art Center 

59 S. Broadway

Pitman, New Jersey 08071

Arts in Bloom Site #6

This past weekend was my 5th year exhibiting in the Salem County Arts in Bloom Studio Tour. This year was special because it was the first time I was at my house as my own site location. In previous years, I have exhibited at my workshop studio at A Whole New Light, and at Janice Chassier's Gallery Under the Oak Tree.

I began setting up my display on Wednesday. I wanted to use the display system I purchased from a Massachusetts photographer (read more about it here) inside our garage. I first had to shift things in order for the display to fit. My goal was to have the display components setup by Wednesday, hang all of the artwork and stage the setup by Thursday and tie up any loose ends (print out missing tags, price items) on Friday.  Despite the heat, everything went according to plan!

Friday evening I held a preview/opening reception event where I invited a few clients and friends to attend. It was a relaxed gathering where visitors could look at the artwork, talk, and enjoy some wine and desserts. We lounged on the straw bale couch and watched a distant lighting storm. It was the perfect way to start the weekend!

Saturday morning as I began to set up, visitors started to arrive around 9:30 AM. There was a constant flow of tour goers throughout the day including neighbors, farmers, friends, students, and art enthusiasts who I hadn't met before. I had so many wonderful conversations and even witnessed one of my paintings captivate and move someone so much, they cried. It was a powerful moment. I even sold my painting, "The Meathouse". It was an amazing day!

The day started slower on Sunday which gave me an opportunity to take some video of my set up and post on Facebook for Arts in Bloom (I am the Volunteer Social Media Coordinator for AIB). By lunchtime, visitors began to arrive and I was busy for the rest of the afternoon! I had several people return from the previous day to discuss private art lessons and commissioning a piece of artwork. Fellow Pitman Gallery & Art Center member artist, Eileen Meehan Ziegler and Ro Mansfield came to my site. They were so nice and I look forward to collaborating with them in the future! 

My aunt and cousins came down from Kennett Square to see my display. They ended up staying for dinner after the day had ended. It was the perfect ending to a successful event!

Overall, I had a phenomenal weekend! I had over 100 visitors between the two days and sales that far exceeded my expectations. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the support I received! I am excited to get back into the studio and create new works of art for next year's Salem County Arts in Bloom. Special thank you to my mom and student, Audrey, for helping me throughout the week with the kids as I setup for this big event. I couldn't have done it without you!

Review of the Inaugural Opening at PGAC

Friday night I attended the Pitman Gallery and Art Center's inaugural opening reception. I went with my friend and mentor, Janice Chassier, and my middle school art teacher, Lorraine Hill. These women were very influential in helping me become an artist and art teacher. I was so glad to spend the evening exploring this new gallery space with them.

When we first walked into the gallery, there was a very welcoming sitting area with couches and featured works of art. After going up a few steps, guests were welcomed with delicious hors d'oeuvres and refreshments in the foyer. The Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce had a table setup with information about all of the great things Pitman businesses have to offer. I spoke with the owner of the Inn on Holly, Yvonne. She was very nice and even introduced me to one of the gallery board members, Lisa Morgey. Lisa then introduced me to gallery founders Tina and Albert Magonagle. It was great to put a face with their names!

While viewing the artwork, we were immediately impressed with the size of the gallery space. The artists that were exhibiting together had three very different styles. The gallery's size and layout displayed them all very well together. Each artist had their own section or wall. On the left side of the gallery was fantasy work by Scott Kirschner, in the center was photorealistic artwork by Robert Hochgertel, and on the right side was abstract work by Chuck Hosier. The most versatile part of the gallery were the mobile walls that can be reconfigured! I can't wait to see how they utilize them in future exhibitions.

The opening was very well attended! Although the gallery is very spacious, you inevitably bumped into some fellow art lovers on Friday night. I found this aspect to be very exciting because you are all there for the same reason: to view artwork, reflect, and talk about art!

After the opening, we strolled down Broadway and explored the businesses that were open. Below are some pictures from our evening out in Pitman.

Outside of Pitman Gallery & Art Center

Looking in toward the gallery from the foyer

Looking from the back corner toward the foyer

Pitman Broadway Theater at night

Fahrenheit Ceramic Studio mural by friend, Nick LeDonne

Pitman Gallery & Art Center

A very good friend of mine told me about The Pitman Gallery & Art Center right as they were beginning to launch. I quickly logged onto their website and learned more about them and was immediately excited for all of the opportunities this gallery would be bringing to the South Jersey area. They will be offering art openings, classes, studio space, as well as public and private events. I signed up to be a member artist and can't wait to work with them in the future!

The Pitman Gallery & Art Center is located at 59 S. Broadway Avenue Pitman, NJ and will be holding it's inaugural opening reception this Friday, March 3rd from 7-10PM. NJ.com recently wrote an article about how the gallery came to fruition and can be read by clicking here.

Click the image below to learn more about the artists and the venue! I am planning on attending this Friday's opening, are you?