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

/ Gallery on Main/

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).

Adrienne Kurzawa, March Artist of the Month

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Gallery on Main's Artist of the Month series features an exhibition of paintings and mixed-media work by New Jersey-based artist Adrienne Kurzawa from March 1 through 31. Admission is free, and the paintings are available for purchase.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, March 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Adrienne Kurzawa works in acrylic paint and mixed media on canvas, paper, and wood. She began making art as a child and soon realized this was a way to escape some of the difficult emotions one experiences living in an alcoholic family. Later in life when studying psychology and art during her undergraduate years at Kutztown University, Adrienne learned that her work was not just an escape but a means of expressing and processing the inner emotional landscapes that words could not.

This began a journey towards understanding the relationships between the creative process, art making, and the psyche. In 1999, Adrienne began her master’s degree work at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, studying the creative arts therapies, and at Seton Hall University studying mental health counseling. Later she became a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and a Professional Counselor.

Today, Adrienne’s work represents emotional moments in time where she attempts, through mindfulness, to create a timestamp which involves the interconnectedness of materials, emotion, movement, and the psyche: the mind, body, and spirit coming together as in a yoga asana. The act of painting for Adrienne is much like a form of yoga, informed by her yoga training.

Teresa Bellion, February Artist of the Month

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Gallery on Main's Artist of the Month series features an exhibition of drawings by central New Jersey-based artist Teresa Bellion from February 1 through 29. Admission is free, and the paintings are available for purchase.

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

Teresa (aka Tracy) draws using graphite, charcoal, and ink. She says, “I used to draw portraits, but now I like to keep it creepy, taking inspiration from nature.”

Kylie McLaughlin, January Artist of the Month

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Gallery on Main's first Artist of the Month exhibition of 2024 features an exhibition of paintings by New Jersey-based artist Kylie McLaughlin from January 2 through 31. Admission is free, and the paintings are available for purchase.

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

Currently attending Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NYC pursuing a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Kylie McLaughlin says, “A lot of my work pertains to a humorous take on natural oddities and accumulation of wonder.”

After graduating high school in 2020, she deferred a year for college due to the pandemic. During, that time she worked on commissioned custom apparel such as jackets and shoes. She has since developed her art, and says, “I now get to translate what I learned into my current studio practices. I pull lots of inspiration from natural oddities, animals, taxidermy, and overwhelming wonder of life. I'm excited to continue my journey and explore the surrealist future of my work.”

Brian Romeo, November Artist of the Month

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Gallery on Main's Artist of the Month series continues with an exhibition of paintings by New Jersey-based artist Brian Romeo from November 1 through 30. Admission is free, and the paintings are available for purchase.

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

Artist Brian Romeo specializes in oil-painted portraiture and still-life. He received his undergraduate degree in Art Education from University of Maryland and did his graduate work at Kean University under the guidance of renowned artist Joanna Wezyk. Romeo is currently a Visual Arts teacher for his hometown of Edison Township.

In his artwork, he is often guided by narrative, symbolism, and thoughtful observation of shared experience. His subjects and composition typically hint at common (but often overlooked) references to decay, corrosion, or loss of control. Romeo names Rembrandt and Lucian Freud as some of his strongest classical artistic influences.

His award-winning artwork is in many private collections and has been exhibited in numerous juried group shows throughout the United States. Recently, his painting “Self-Portrait as Daedalus” received Honorable Mention from acclaimed trompe-l’oeil artist Natalie Featherston.

Romeo loves creating art and has been doing so as long as he can remember. His mother was an elementary school art teacher, so, he says, “our home was always filled with creative media and art-making materials” and this experience led both him and his sister to pursue art as a career. In addition to his own art-making, he has spent the last 20+ years as a secondary art educator teaching middle schoolers how to create as well as appreciate the art around them.