Blue Skies & All That Jazz: Paintings by Leslie Floyd, on view through January

/ Gallery on Main/

Extended through January!

Gallery on Main's 2020 "Artist of the Month" series culminates in Blue Skies and All That Jazz, featuring paintings of landscapes and jazz musicians by award-winning artist Leslie Floyd, on view throughout December. Admission is free, and the artist’s paintings are available for purchase.

Meet artist Leslie Floyd at a free opening reception on Saturday, December 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Please note: Due to COVID-19, for everyone’s safety social distancing guidelines are in effect and MASKS MUST BE WORN PROPERLY at all times. No exceptions.

Leslie Floyd uses many mediums of art, but prefers watercolor, acrylic, and pen and ink. He describes his style as traditional realism with a slight impressionistic influence.

Leslie was an award-winning artist before he even finished high school. One of seven children born to parents to William and Doris Floyd, who believed in nurturing the creative arts, he received the National Scholastic Art Award over a six-year period from junior high to high School, a blue ribbon that allowed him to represent his state in a national competition, and became ranked as one of the top 20 young artists in the nation.

Leslie went on to study Fine Arts at Montclair State College and DuCret School of Art in Plainfield. His works have been exhibited throughout New Jersey, as well as in shows at Yale University, in Philadelphia and New York City. For several years, Leslie’s portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was displayed at the Somerset County Courthouse.

Along with being a dedicated artist, Les is also proud of his work as a tutor to numerous young artists who have gone on to complete college and pursue careers in many art-related fields. Today, Les works in his studio in Somerville. He continues to do art shows, create commissioned works and give private lessons.

Images © Leslie Floyd, used with permission.

Call for Entries! Deadline Dec. 15, 2020

/ Gallery on Main/

We’re putting out our annual Call for Artists for Gallery on Main’s “Artist of the Month” series for 2021.

This series gives one New Jersey-based artist each month an opportunity to have a solo exhibition of their work presented in the Gallery and the front window for a specified month. Each artist chosen is encouraged to have an opening reception, which will be open to the public on the first Saturday of the month. We will publicize the event on our website, through social media, through press releases and other media outlets.

Please, you MUST FOLLOW THESE RULES to be considered:

  • Email us at least 3 different images that are suitable to be used in the marketing of your work (if chosen) with each piece’s Title, Dimensions, Retail Price, Medium; along with an Artist Bio / Statement. Please use the email subject line “Artist of the Month submission”.

  • Only work that is for sale is eligible. If you are selected and if your work is sold during the time it is displayed at Gallery on Main, we will receive 40% of the sale price, and you as the artist will receive 60% of sale price.

  • ALL WORK MUST BE READY TO HANG. NO EXCEPTIONS.

  • Deadline for submissions is December 15, 2020. You will be notified if you are selected shortly thereafter.

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Thank you,
Shaun & Michelle

Winners! 5 years in a row: Best Art Gallery & Best Antiques

/ Gallery on Main/
Certificate-best-2020.jpg

Gallery on Main is honored to announce that for the fifth consecutive year we were selected by Courier-News and Home News Tribune readers as THE BEST OF THE BEST in Central New Jersey in two categories: BEST ART GALLERY and BEST ANTIQUES SHOP.

A huge THANK YOU to EVERYONE who voted to give our business this honor...we are thankful and humbled, and we will continue to provide the products and service that you expect.

Photography by Dana Benner: Exhibition on view through November

/ Gallery on Main/

Update: Extended through November!

Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series continues with an exhibition of outdoor photographs by award-winning, central New Jersey-based artist Dana Benner, on view throughout October 2020. Admission is free, and the artist’s works are available for purchase — including original prints on archival paper (framed and unframed), handmade photo cards and one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Meet the artist at a free opening reception on Saturday, October 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Please note: Due to COVID-19, for everyone’s safety social distancing guidelines are in effect and MASKS MUST BE WORN PROPERLY at all times. No exceptions.

Dana Benner has been a photographer for most of her life. As the daughter of a photographer, she grew up with a camera in her hand at an early age. However, it wasn't until college and after graduation that she pursued photography as a career.

Says Dana, “I enjoy capturing the scenery of the beautiful places I visit along with the serendipitous moments that appear all around us. In the turmoil of the past few months as I thought about a body of work for my exhibit, I kept returning to a beautiful poem by Wendell Berry titled ‘The Peace of Wild Things.’ This poem was the inspiration for this show.”

She continues, “In this time of Covid and a forced shutdown, I found myself spending a lot more time outdoors in nature, quenching my thirst to go somewhere, anywhere. Long walks along the Delaware Raritan Canal Tow Path, leisurely strolls through the neighborhood and quiet evenings sitting in my backyard were some of my inspiration. The more I walked, the more I saw. It surprised me how many beautiful things came into view and with that came comfort. A blue heron stood in the tall grass with its bright yellow eye following me as I approached. She didn't fly as I inched closer but stayed and invited me to join her. Dragonflies zigzagged and skated along the water's edge as a bald eagle soared high above, circling back to give me a second chance to marvel at its majestic grace. The more time I spent in nature, the more I wanted to discover nature.

“In each of these daily outings, nature gave me a gift. Sometimes I caught it with my camera, sometimes not. Someone said to me recently, ‘Time before Covid was linear, rushing forward at an incredible fast pace with life blurring by. Now time feels very wide, slow moving and expansive.’ I could not agree more. We were sportscars speeding down life's highway with the world nothing but a big blur. Now we are classic cars out for a Sunday drive, moving slow enough to see that the big blur is made up of a million little pieces. Here in the woods, at the ocean, along the water's edge or in a field of wildflowers, we are reminded that we are all part of something greater than ourselves. Let us rest in the beauty that lies around us. It is in this slowness we can see reasons for hope. I trust you see them too.”

Images © Dana Benner, used with permission.

Photography by Alexander Lobozzo, on view September 1–30

/ Gallery on Main/

Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series continues with an exhibition of landscape and seascape photographs by New Jersey-based artist Alexander Lobozzo, on view throughout September 2020. Admission is free, and the artist’s works are available for purchase. 

Meet the artist at a free opening reception on Saturday, September 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Please note: Due to COVID-19, for everyone’s safety social distancing guidelines are in effect and MASKS MUST BE WORN PROPERLY at all times. No exceptions.

A local photographer who focuses on landscapes, cityscapes and seascapes around New Jersey, Lobozzo explains that the inspiration for his work comes largely from “wanting everyone to see the amazing cities, trails, mountains, and shores of NJ, the same way I do.”

He goes on to say, “I love to grab my viewers’ attention with striking color. I find myself returning to the locations that I photograph many times over, each time searching for the perfect day, with the perfect pop of colors that absolutely command my attention.” He credits photographer Peter Lik’s “larger-than-life work” as an influence.

“Taking these photos is much more than creating art, for me,” says Lobozzo. “The adventures that I have along the way to these shots set the mood and are their own source of enjoyment. This process serves to not only capture and display places I love, but to relax and enjoy myself.  With my dog Kyma at my side, we will always be looking for the next sight to capture.”

Images © Alexander Lobozzo, used with permission.

Mixed-media works by artist Adrian Collazo, on view thru August

/ Gallery on Main/

Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series continues with an exhibition of paintings and mixed-media pieces by Bound Brook, New Jersey-based artist Adrian Collazo, on view throughout August 2020. Admission is free, and the artist’s works are available for purchase. Collazo’s work can also be seen in the outdoor mural in memory of his cousin Jerome Gonzalez, which he executed with fellow artists Alex Medina (a.k.a. Elan Wonder) and Leon Rainbow just a few steps from the Gallery.

Meet the artist at a free opening reception on Saturday, August 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Please note: Due to COVID-19, for everyone’s safety social distancing guidelines are in effect and MASKS MUST BE WORN PROPERLY at all times. No exceptions.

Born in Somerville and raised in Bound Brook, Collazo credits his grandfather with being his first inspiration for art. “Whenever he came to visit from Puerto Rico I would watch him paint,” says Collazo. “While painting he would share his vision, his strong faith and his great sense of humor. Many times I would ask him to draw characters I liked on paper and I would always be so amazed at his ‘superpowers’.”

Collazo describes his youth and young adulthood as a difficult time, marked by self-doubt and fear of failure. “Growing up, the world looked very different to me. I didn't speak much, socialize with others or sign up for any extracurricular activities. Every day was a challenge to stay focused throughout my school years. I drew a lot…and I daydreamed about being a successful artist, doing what I love most and making a living out of it.” 

At age 14 he got into graphic design and digital photo editing, then after graduating from high school he began studying visual communications at Katherine Gibbs Institute and later started photography, which he viewed as a hobby. But for a number of years, he says, “All of my ambition burning within was extinguished by fear. Fear of not being ‘accepted,’ fear of being ‘judged,’ fear of not being ‘good enough.’ I became my own worst enemy.”

In 2015, another artist in his family inspired him further: His cousin Jerome Gonzalez, who invited Collazo to watch him learn graffiti art at Terracycle in Trenton. “I took many photos of (Jerome) and others and was so amazed. His art and everyone else's were so inspiring to witness. He commissioned me to do some photography and videography for his book Pothole. I purchased a few cans of spray paint and started some canvas art. My love for art started building up as I painted more and did some more research on Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Vincent van Gogh and Henri Matisse. I picked a brush back up and found myself in early 2017 knowing this is what I was meant to do. Jerome gave me the strength and inspiration I needed to not only to be myself but to also establish something positive for my daughters.”

Sadly, during a 7-month period Collazo’s father passed away, he lost a job he had for 8 years, Jerome passed away, and he lost a woman he loved. He said, “Depression once again ruled my world, but this time I had a weapon that worked. Art became a necessity to get through rough times. The pain became more bearable since I was able to express myself…My goal is to always be a positive influence to others and inspire. Believe in yourself and push through all adversity.”

Artist of the month exhibition: Lauren Curtis

/ Gallery on Main/

Gallery on Main’s “Artist of the Month” features photographs by Lauren Curtis, on view throughout July 2020.

Lauren Curtis graduated with a BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 1988, and has been creating ever since. Now, as a full-time artist,  Lauren enjoys working in a variety of media, including  oils, collage, pen & ink, watercolor and photography.   

Lauren says she is happiest when creating pieces that represent her love of nature,  wildlife, travel and spiritual subject matter. The  symbolism  and mythology of ancient cultures are fused with the symbols from modern-day , natural spiritual practices, to form a unique and eclectic style. These images are often portrayed through the woman’s perspective,  showing the importance of “The Feminine,” which is sometimes overlooked. 

Travel is another major influence in Lauren’s work and the pieces, usually photographs, created from these journeys helps the artist  to convey the beauty found in diversity, as well as the similarities, that run through various cultural belief-systems.

Lauren has had artwork and poetry published by magazines, in children’s books and by historical organizations, including the Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission. One of her pieces was selected for the  permanent collection of the James Dickson Carr Library (formerly called the Joyce Kilmer Library) in central New Jersey.

Her  work has been displayed in private collections, healthcare centers and galleries and was selected for a solo exhibit at Johnson & Johnson’s world headquarters (July–August 2009). She was a featured artist on the Science Channel‘s TV show Oddities (2011–2012). Lauren has participated in over 100 solo, group and juried exhibitions, won multiple awards, and is a member of  several New Jersey arts organizations.  Her artwork has been sold throughout the U.S. and abroad, and she exhibits her work monthly in gallery shows,  art festivals and cultural events. 

We're reopening to the public on Monday, June 15!

/ Gallery on Main/

Along with other downtown shops, Gallery on Main will resume regular business hours starting June 15. We've used this time to acquire a lot of great vintage items, so come in and see what's new to our inventory that you may want to bring home! View our slideshow above for a sneak peek inside. (And if there’s anything you want to purchase for curbside pickup before we reopen, please call our mobile hotline at 732-558-6114.)

We want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our live-streaming auctions and bought items from us online and by phone while the Gallery was temporarily closed due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. As always, we remain open 24/7 through our online Etsy and Chairish shops.

At the Gallery, we'll be following state and federal guidelines to safeguard everyone's health, and asking visitors to do the same, including: 

  • Wearing a face mask is required, both inside and in downtown Somerville

  • Washing hands frequently 

  • Respecting social distancing, and maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between people

  • Disinfecting the workplace and business

  • No large gatherings 

Clinically high-risk individuals who can stay at home should continue to do so.

Stay safe and well. We look forward to seeing you!

We're open for online shopping

/ Gallery on Main/

Our Main Street shop is temporarily closed to the public, but we’re open 24/7 online through our Etsy and Chairish shops. We also offer e-gift cards, and we're available by email. If you have any questions, or to buy an item by phone, please email us.

Be safe and well! We look forward to seeing you in-person soon.

Artist of the Month exhibition: Photographs by Imma Barrera

/ Gallery on Main/

Gallery on Main’s "Artist of the Month" series continues with an exhibition of photography by Metuchen, New Jersey-based artist Imma Barrera, on view and available for purchase March 1 through 31, 2020.

Meet the artist at a free opening reception at Gallery on Main on Saturday, March 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Born in Barcelona, Imma Barrera is an award-winning landscape and nature photographer. A biologist as well as a graduate of New York Institute of Photography, her photography has been exhibited at a number of galleries worldwide. Her favorite subject to photograph includes landscapes from dusk to dawn, including astrophotography. 

Imma was selected as a 2019 Capitol Reef National Park's Artist-in-Residence for her night sky photography. In addition, she was shortlisted in the Landscape category of the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards professional competition with her series “Under the Night Sky”. 

She is author of the book “The Stars, The Moon and The Sun: In the NJ/NY Area" (Imma Barrera, ISBN: 9781083074126).  Her current project involves documenting different features of a few selected American national parks and presenting those images together in the format of a published book. She is also involved in educational programs about photography, as well as seminars to raise awareness about the need to protect our natural treasures.