Art Notes, Aug. 2

Aug 12, 2023

By Victoria Ford | on August 02, 2023

(Artwork by Kate Mancini Sky)

Hot Spot: Don’t miss contemporary artist K. Sky’s exhibit at the Ann Coen and Friends Summer Pop-Up in Beach Haven for four days only this weekend. The show opens Thursday, Aug. 3, with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. and live music by Zinnia Moon, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 6.

Hot off her “Summer Lovin’” joint show with Elizabeth Sabine at the Main Street Gallery in Manasquan, Kate Mancini Sky brings a fresh perspective to the local artscape. Her “sea folk” series stands apart from the standard LBI fare.

Get to know her at @kate_mancini_art.

Coen hosts “Art After Hours” every Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. Visit the gallery Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon; Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.

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Glass Act: Mary Tantillo, owner-artist-curator at SwellColors Glass Studio in Surf City, has announced the unveiling of her new collection of works in glass, titled “Mare e Cielo: Floating in the Sea, Soaking Up the Sun,” with an opening reception at the studio/ gallery this Friday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. with live music by Acoustic Positivity.

The artist described the new series as “a collection of observations and good feelings living by the water.”

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Looking Back: A special event titled “Boris Blai: A Legacy in Bronze,” presented by Echoes of LBI magazine and Things A Drift in Ship Bottom, is set for Thursday, Aug. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies.

It’s a celebration of the sculptor, educator, visionary and LBIF founder, in honor of the organization’s 75th anniversary this year.

Speakers for the evening are to include Larry Oliphant, grandson of Joe Willie Oliphant, who worked with Blai on the construction of the Foundation; local historian Reilly Platten Sharp; and Susan Spicer-McGarry, editor and writer for Echoes of LBI.

Blai’s “pondering chair,” the oak chair he used while working in his home studio, will be on exhibit, and artist Nancy Edwards will present a new art piece to the Foundation. Admission is free, but registration is required. Light refreshments will be served.

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(Artwork by Eric van der Vlugt)

Map It: The annual LBI Artists Open Gallery and Studio Tour is coming up the weekend of Aug. 12 and 13, when 30 artists in 24 locations share their spaces and processes with the inquisitive art loving public.

Organizer Carol Nussbaum highlighted the newest participating artists to join the fray. Last year’s tour welcomed Eric Van der Vlugt and his oil paintings on panel and canvas, and Tony DiBella’s fine art photography.

New this year is Anita Pfeil, whose textiles and one-of-a-kind clothing items are “art to wear,” including denim jackets and crocheted handbags.

Cathleen Engelsen is the featured artist on the poster and cover of the map/brochure.

Additionally, Nussbaum called attention to “two incredible ceramic artists” for their “amazing (and completely different) pottery work,” Sue Pohanka and Sandra Kosinski.

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Show and Tell: Calling all beach badge collectors to visit Wildflowers Too! art gallery in Barnegat Light on Saturday, Aug. 5 between 1 and 3 p.m. when Bob Kugel, author of 55 Years of Long Beach Island Beach Badges, will be signing books. Anyone who brings a badge not included among the 650-plus in the book will be entered into a drawing for a beaded wooden fish named Freddy that was handcrafted by Barry Leader of Raintree Studios. Join the hunt for a chance to win. Call 609-618-9272 for more information.

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Art All Ways: Pine Shores Art Association’s “Lazy Days of Summer” exhibit at Beach Haven Borough Hall gallery is ongoing through August. The exhibit of Pine Shores work in the Tuckerton Borough Fine Arts Gallery is a summer-themed show on display through September. The “Student Show” is hanging at PSAA’s Manahawkin headquarters gallery through Aug. 30, with a special reception planned for Aug. 7.

Visit pineshoresartassociation.org to learn more about membership, view exhibits and register for 40 newly added fall classes and workshops in a dozen different mediums.

The public is invited to PSAA’s Art Chat, an open-format gathering on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Tuckerton branch of the Ocean County Library, where artists in many mediums and of all skill levels bring projects to share with the group.

The next gathering of Plein Air in Pine Air, a group facilitated by PSAA member artist Andrea Sauchelli, is planned for Thursday, Aug. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the bay end of Dock Road in Beach Haven (the parking lot behind Bird & Betty’s) with views of the Parker Island bird sanctuary. Bring binoculars.

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Two-fer: During the month of August, catch two new exhibits at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library. “Stronger Together,” by Mark B. Retacco, is in the second-floor gallery. At the same time, see airbrush works and paintings by Toms River-based artist Steve Moran, whose portfolio of subjects includes people, wildlife, florals, still life and landscapes. Both displays are free and open to the public during library operating hours.

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Draw From Life: Figure study sessions with a live, undraped model take place at Stafford Township Historical Society headquarters, the historic church located at 120 North Main St. in Manahawkin, on first and third Sundays, 10 a.m. to noon. No formal instruction is offered. Artists of all skill levels are welcome. Bring keen eyes and art supplies to float the creative boat. Drop in for $12. August sessions are with model Rae, Aug. 6 and 20.

For additional info about modeling or attending, email Victoria Ford at [email protected] or check @that.ford.woman on Instagram for updates.

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Decor and More: The St. Mary’s Annual Art Show and Sale will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the parish center at Bishop Lane and McKinley Avenue in Manahawkin. Over 30 participating artists will sell paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolor, pastel and pencil drawings, photography, painted silks, quilts and cards. Lunch will be available and all proceeds benefit the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and Family Promise. —V.F

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