Bryan Gorski, March Artist of the Month

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Throughout March, Gallery on Main will feature an exhibition of mixed-media paintings by Somerset County-based artist Bryan Gorski.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, March 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Gorski grew up near the ocean in Long Branch, New Jersey, and he credits that as a huge influence on his life and his paintings “My most recent work is focused on the ideas of the natural world in connection to the themes of rebirth and regeneration,” he says. “Within an inspired framework of medieval altarpieces, this body of work contains multiple panels done with a variety of media. This connection to rebirth and regeneration also allows me to engage in the subtleties of those themes in a modern life consciousness, particularly with ideas about the environment.”

In the past year, Gorski has also been learning more about plein air painting, which is painting outdoors. The experience of creating these “looser,” more painterly works has been encouraging and generative, he says. The exhibition includes some of his plein air works.

Gorski graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in geology before realizing his passion for creating art. He returned to Rutgers and earned a second bachelor’s degree, from Mason Gross School of the Arts, then went on to a Master of Art degree from Kean University. He has taught art at a high school level for the past 20 years, and says, “My interaction with students in discussing, creating and critiquing art has been very fruitful for me as a person and also in terms of my art-making.”

Bryan Gorski’s work will be on view, and available for purchase, from March 1 through 31, 2025.

Nancy Kulfas, February Artist of the Month

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Throughout February, Gallery on Main will feature an exhibition of mixed-media work by Hunterdon County-based artist Nancy Kulfas.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, February 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Nancy Kulfas’ work is characterized by its colorful, youthful floral motifs, which serve as a medium for her self-exploration. Having lived in different countries makes her question her belonging, but in the universal language of floral art, Nancy finds roots that transcend borders. She plays with acrylics, gouache, oil pastels, watercolor pencils, metallic pens, crayons, and markers on paper and canvas. Her paintings reflect the power of colors to impact mood and the healing effect of nature's beauty and soothing organic shapes.

Born in Argentina in 1971 and raised in Brazil, Nancy was immersed in a vibrant mix of cultures from a young age. Her artistic journey began with photography and fashion design interests as a teenager. Accompanying her mother, the art group coordinator for the International Women Association in Argentina, on tours of artists' studios and galleries in Buenos Aires, ignited her passion for the arts. She eventually opened an art gallery showcasing local talent until moving to the U.S. in 2010.

Nancy's formal education includes a B.A. in Communication and Advertising, but her true artistic awakening came in 2022. Intrigued by the healing power of nature and floral essences used as rescue remedies, she discovered a passion for painting that felt both relaxing and invigorating. Nancy considers herself a self-taught artist, driven by intuition, playfulness, and her multicultural life experience.

Since 2022, Nancy has committed to daily painting, producing vibrant floral creations that celebrate life and nature. Though relatively new to the art scene, she continues to showcase her unique style in various venues in New Jersey and has artworks in private collections in Argentina, France, and the United States.

Nancy lives in Hunterdon County with her husband, a talented photographer and model diorama builder.

Nancy Kulfas’ work will be on view, and available for purchase, from February 1 through 28, 2025.

David Fonda, Artist of the Month

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Throughout January, Gallery on Main will feature an exhibition of paintings by New Jersey-based artist David Fonda.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, January 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Says Fonda, “As a young child, I watched Bob Ross on TV and was amazed by how he created beautiful paintings and made it look so easy. I had always enjoyed doodling, but never believed that I could ever paint like him. Fast forward—I’m now retired and watched Bob Ross once again, bought paint and brushes and decided to give it a try and realized I could do this. My love of painting inspired me to become a CRI (Certified Ross Instructor) so that I could share ‘The Joy of Painting’ with others.”

David Fonda’s work will be on view, and available for purchase, from January 2 through 31, 2025.

Judy Goddard, Artist of the Month

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Throughout December, Gallery on Main will feature an exhibition of paintings by New Jersey-based artist Judy Goddard.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, December 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Says Judy Goddard, “I have learned to pull joy out of life and onto the canvas. The magic that I invoke transfers from my thoughts and inner conversations onto every piece of art I create.” Dedicated to her ideal, she is a serious painter who devotes herself to a full-time schedule.

Judy knows that the world is full of magic, “from the smallest caterpillar to the shooting stars, everything holds a little bit of magic just waiting for the world to find it!” Coming from the trauma of a dysfunctional childhood and marrying young, she has a resilience that has served her all of her days.

The joy that inhabits Judy’s soul is contagious and comes through in her paintings. Sharing that joy with others is her life and breath. Working as an oil painter, she has taken the lessons in “Old Master” techniques and uses them to revel in rich hues and a depth of expression that have floated in her head all her life.

Judy’s studio and “happy place” is a cabin in the woods, situated on the bank of the Upper Toms River Creek. The beauty of the location is a balm to her spirit and there’s no other place she would rather be. Her ultimate goal, she says, “is to travel the world, painting not necessarily what I see but what the effect of joy can have on a place. In this way, maybe I can make a positive change in the world.” In the meantime, she spends her days in her studio creating many paintings. She’s also currently working on illustrations for her next picture book, "When You Live Down The Shore." Each season presents new opportunities to create.

Into each painting, Judy says she “slides a little secret, a little reason to make people smile.” She loves playing with concepts that she can add into her paintings. “It’s a kind of game; what can they glimpse in my art? What little hidden message can I guide them towards?”

Judy grew up in Fair Haven, New Jersey, a small, tight-knit community. As far back as she can remember, she has had a pencil in her hand and was recognized as an artist from a very early age. Though gifted as an artist, she was never encouraged to think about art as a profession. For the first 20 years of her adult life she focused on music, becoming a professional folk singer. She recorded an album of original songs in Nashville in 2002. She eventually turned one of her songs, “My Navesink,” into a picture book about the river that runs through Fair Haven. At the age of 60, Judy was finally given the tools she longed for and needed to spur her on into full-time fine art painting, in the form of professional classes for professional artists and she has not looked back.

John Meyerhofer, Artist of the Month - Extended through November

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Gallery on Main’s Artist of the Month exhibition of works by New Jersey-based artist John Meyerhofer is extended: His works will be on view and available for purchase through November. This is his first solo exhibition.

Meyerhofer, who studied at Parsons in New York City, works in heavily textured relief sculpture and paintings. He says, “My work is intuitive by nature, ending up with a finished piece that is totally different from my first intention. At 73 years old, I consider myself a conceptual artist.”

John Meyerhofer, Artist of the Month

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Throughout October, Gallery on Main will feature an exhibition of works by New Jersey-based artist John Meyerhofer. This is his first solo exhibition.

Meyerhofer, who studied at Parsons in New York City, works in heavily textured relief sculpture and paintings. He says, “My work is intuitive by nature, ending up with a finished piece that is totally different from my first intention. At 73 years old, I consider myself a conceptual artist.”

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, October 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Zomy, Artist of the Month

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Going by a plethora of names, "Zomy" of Zomgitsan_alias has been taking pictures, and creating art, since the long-ago disposable camera days. Obsessed with textures and learning new ways to express emotion with vivid displays through her photography, Zomy continues to strive for those hidden "perfect" moments in life.

Zomy captures everything from flowers to urban decay, and from the abstract to the quirky supernatural. She's been featured in galleries across New Jersey, New York, and California after getting her start at Gallery on Main. She has also collaborated with international artists such as Leo Noorpol of Denmark, N_of_49 of Canada, and BJA of New Zealand. Zomy's art is in a constant state of evolution to inspire.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, September 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Brian McCormack, Artist of the Month: "Re-Strung"

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Gallery on Main's Artist of the Month series features an exhibition of a reception celebrating a retrospective exhibition in memory of artist Brian McCormack, who passed away suddenly on March 9 of this year. Entitled Re-Strung, it features guitar sculptures uniquely and creatively made from repurposed found objects, which are also playable as musical instruments.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, August 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Artist’s Statement

“Upon seeing a lecture by an artist who did architectural sculptures which one of her pieces had a floatation device, I asked the question whether one could actually use it to float in. Her answer was that it was purely conceptual and not functional. I came away with the notion that why can’t sculptures like this actually be functional. Being a musician, I came upon the notion of instruments that could be a sculptural statement on a wall and the owner could surprise their guests by holding a short concert. …(Since) I began my quest with my first guitar, … I have had to become a luthier because shaping necks, adding frets, making these ‘instruments’ reasonably playable and tune-able requires some skill. My main thrust is to have my ‘sculptures’ be fun and make a statement like a pun or a political message.”

About the Artist

Brian J. McCormack was born January 22, 1953 in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, but spent most of his life in New Jersey. He grew up in West Milford Township, NJ and upon reaching his 18th birthday moved to Montclair, NJ. It was while living there, from 1971 to 1974, that he attended Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art under the instruction of noted illustrator Charles Waterhouse and watercolor artist Joe Rossi. Later, while at Montclair State University, he became interested in abstract expressionism and ready-mades. He also met William Pope L, who influenced his interest in avante garde and performance art, and with whom he formed a post-punk new wave band known as Jon Waine. For Brian, it was a very experimental time and he even participated in several art performances, including one called “Action 69” with artist Hermann Nitsch. In order to continue to exist as an artist, Brian needed financial support and had to “work for a living.” However, in retrospect, some of the jobs he acquired, such as advertising art director, printing press operator, and model maker-designer at Macy’s Parade Studio were actually essential in his future development as an artist.

Maria Lupo, June Artist of the Month

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Gallery on Main's Artist of the Month series features an exhibition of mixed-media work by New Jersey-based artist Maria Lupo from June 1 through 30, entitled Eden Revisited: The OZ Series. Admission is free, and the paintings are available for purchase.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, June 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Says Dr. Lupo, “My work is influenced greatly by the power of myth and fairy tales to inform and understand my own biographical journey through universal stories and themes. Personally, I am longing to belong to be accepted and to find my sense of place which as a child did not exist in my world. A stranger in a strange land displaced, disjointed...alone.”

She continues, “My creative process is stimulated by various and unusual materials while enjoying their lush and tactile properties. Transcending the use of traditional materials, my work includes such materials as topsoil, teabags, fabric, faux flowers, and recycled materials.”

A nationally recognized artist and Board-Certified Art Therapist, Maria Lupo attended Rutgers University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Thru Rutgers University, she began her Sculptural studies in Cennina, Italy.

Dr. Lupo continued her studies in Sculpture at Hunter College, CUNY, receiving a Master’s of Fine Arts degree. In addition to her studies as a fine artist. Lupo has completed her Post-Masters Specialization in Art Therapy from Caldwell University and is a Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist holding a second Master’s Degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology.

Lupo holds a Doctorate in Medical & Health Humanities from Drew University. She is an adjunct professor at Montclair State and Caldwell Universities, Cedar Crest and Ramapo College. As a clinician, Dr. Lupo’s work focuses on dementia care (Alzheimer’s), neuro-diversity, well-being, gender, caregiver support and End of Life issues. A recipient of the NJ State Council on the Arts fellowship award, Dr. Lupo’s work is included in many public and private collections.

Leo "The Mimik" Alban, April Artist of the Month: extended through May

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Gallery on Main's Artist of the Month series features an exhibition of mixed-media work by New Jersey-based muralist and illustration artist Leo "The Mimik" Alban from April 1 through May 31. Admission is free, and the paintings are available for purchase.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, April 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

The Mimik says, “I celebrate to explore and inspire all things FRESH by definition, and to continue to innovate and create.”

He was always doodling wherever he went: on napkins, paper, blackbooks, and eventually on walls. Being a huge comic book collector and Japanese anime fan—a style that fit in well to his graffiti adventures—The Mimik blended this fascination and use of watercolors into his drawings. It also led him to create personalized work with the talents of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).