Mural project in memory of Jerome Luis Gonzalez

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The New Jersey art community, friends and family recently lost someone very near and dear to us: Jerome Luis Gonzalez. He passed away unexpectedly on 2/17/2018 at the age of only 44, while competing in an endurance run. Jerome was a beloved father of 2 young children, a son, a brother, a friend, a painter, a published author, an athlete, an advocate for the arts, a mentor, and a community leader. In the words of local journalist Rod Hirsch, Jerome was “the heart and soul of (Somerville’s) burgeoning downtown arts community,” and a true modern-day Renaissance man.

 In Jerome’s memory, Arts On Division, a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation in Somerville, is organizing a mural in tribute to him. We invite and encourage you to be a part of it! You can do so by contributing directly to the fundraising campaign, or purchasing one of the prints mentioned below.

We are grateful to the Borough of Somerville for their support and encouragement with this project, which recognizes Jerome's positive impact on the community and how much he is missed.  We would also like to give a huge THANK YOU to Dimitrios "Jimmy" Stathatos, the owner of the PHOENIX CAFE, for graciously allowing us to put the mural on the side of his building.

To execute this project, we are seeking funds to cover the costs of the paint, materials and the insurance. The size of the mural is approximately 90 feet x 18 feet. We are looking to do this project in the coming months, and we will announce a start date when we can. The artists who will do the painting are donating their time and skills: Adrian Collazo (Jerome's cousin), Alex Medina (a.k.a. Elan Wonder) and Leon Rainbow, who have worked with Jerome on art projects in the past. 

Any funds exceeding this goal amount will go towards Jerome's children's education.

Two prints are available for purchase to support the mural project, with 100% of the proceeds going towards funding the project.

  •  A print of Jerome’s painting “Muhammad Ali, Eye of the Tiger.” For a donation of $25 or more, you can get your print at the ART ALL DAY festival on Saturday, September 15 on Division Street in Somerville, or anytime at Gallery on Main.

  • A portrait entitled “Jerome ‘Cuzo’ Gonzalez,” created by artist Alejandro (Alex) Medina, a.k.a. Elan Wonder. In tribute to his positivity, generous spirit and beautiful soul, an image of Jerome is surrounded by phrases he was known to embrace and live by, such as “Always give back,” “Love over hate,” “Work hard” and “Speak truth.” The 11" x 14" limited-edition prints, which are hand-signed by the artist, are available for $25 at elanone.com/store/jeromecuzogonzalez. 

To make a donation or for additional details, visit gofundme.com/jerome-gonzalez-mural-project.

Thank you for your support and participation!

Artist of the Month exhibition: Vikki Sarah Margulies — extended!

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Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series continues with an exhibition of photography by Hopewell Valley, New Jersey-based artist Vikki Sarah Margulies, on view August 1 through September 28. Admission is free, and the artist’s works are available for purchase.

Join us for a free opening reception on Saturday, August 4, from 6:00–8:00 pm.

Vikki's passion for photography evolved organically as the perfect synthesis of her love for nature and the spiritual connection she feels while outdoors. During long walks with her sheltie Charlemain, she began capturing with a camera and her artist’s eye the beauty she saw all around her.  She wanted to bring this beauty to others whom she felt might otherwise overlook what she saw or who simply did not experience nature as she did. 

Says Vikki, “My latest images remind me of the work of Maxfield Parrish, as he, like me, has created altered realities with splendid use of color.” 

Vikki was "discovered" by fellow artist and friend NJ DeVico.  NJ exclaimed, "Your work must be seen!" as she persuaded Vikki to exhibit her work.  Taking the heed of her contemporary, she has exhibited her work since October 2015 at venues including the Earislie Museum in Trenton, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, and the Blawenburg Cafe, to name a few.

Vikki dedicates this exhibition at Gallery on Main to her dear friend NJ, who passed away on July 11, 2018.  

To learn more, call us at 908-722-4234 or follow Gallery on Main on facebook.com/GalleryOnMainSomerville.

Find of the week: Asparagus bunching tool

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A really great, feel-good story happened at Gallery on Main today, giving us a new twist on "find of the week." A woman named Norma walked in the door and said she saw something that we had online for sale, and she points it out. It was mounted on the wall, and she says she wants to purchase it: It's an antique farming tool that bunches asparagus. Norma proceeds to tell us that her great, great grandfather — Elias R. Watts — invented it, patented it, and made it in his blacksmith shop in Keyport, New Jersey in 1887.

Norma was only aware of two that were ever made. One was with the Historical Society in Keyport, and one was at a museum in South Jersey that got wiped out during Hurricane Sandy, so that one she believed to be lost forever. She was doing research on Elias for genealogy purposes and stumbled across our listing of the item for sale in our Etsy shop. She found out our business address and drove to the Gallery to purchase and acquire it for the family. I have NEVER seen someone so happy to acquire a piece of family history before. We are sooo glad it is going the the right home and will be cherished. And Thank you to the Golden Nugget Flea Market dealer for finding it and selling it to us, so we could get it back "home!"

— Shaun Daley

Artist of the Month exhibition: Janet Rockware, July 1–30

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Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series continues with an exhibition of works by Annandale, New Jersey-based artist Janet Rockware, on view July 1 through 30. Admission is free, and the artist’s works are available for purchase.

Join us for an opening reception on Saturday, July 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

An accomplished artist, Rockware was inspired by abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock’s drip method of painting. Born and raised in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, she has avidly been plying her artistic talents for 40-plus years. Her artistic talents are broad reaching in mediums, inclusive of watercolor, stencil work, acrylic, oil, ceramic, nature photography and, most recently, epoxy resin.

Finding the beauty in abstract art has a different meaning for each person appreciating it, Janet’s focus has currently been utilizing this form of composition as it is open to individual interpretation.

Artist of the Month exhibition: Dion Hitchings, “Portraits on Recycled Trash”

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Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series continues with an exhibition of mixed-media portraiture by Milford, New Jersey-based artist Dion Hitchings, on view May 1 through 30. Admission is free, and the artist’s works are available for purchase.

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

Dion Hitchings, whose work has been featured in numerous group shows and solo exhibitions nationally and internationally, creates artistically sophisticated works using what he calls “untraditional media” — various children’s art supplies including crayons, magic markers, highlighters and colored pens. He explains, “Using consumer boxes, discarded furniture and  ‘trash’ instead of traditional drawing surfaces has enabled me to break down pre-existing print, images and textures, while allowing the type and pictures from the recycled object to become organically part of the portrait. During the creative process, I discovered the need to deconstruct then reconstruct the face to fit within the shape of the surface. The results are portraits that have a shattered appearance with broken and missing pieces but also form a more powerful, interesting and often disturbing viewpoint.”

Hitchings’ inspirations are “varied and vast, everything from dreams and Indians, nuns and demons, the Jerry Springer Show and chickens to sins and celebrities.” He describes his art as reflecting his world: “Guaranteed to be colorful, self-revealing, emotional, childlike and an ‘eyefull.’”

Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, Hitchings says, “My mother found out she was pregnant with me two weeks after my father’s funeral. She always told me she found me under a rock. I took up drawing at age 3 and never put the crayons down.”

After graduating from Washington University in Saint Louis, Hitchings worked as a fashion illustrator, which led him to a successful career as a fashion advertising art director, though he never stopped drawing. After living and working in Chicago and New York City, tired of city living he and his longtime partner moved to Hunterdon County, New Jersey, where he purchased his first home. But things changed within a four-year period.

“I lost my boyfriend of 23 years to a car accident. Lived through 9/11. And was laid off. My priorities changed, and what was important shifted. So I put the pieces back together, got a new job, met someone new, and after a trip to Kentuck Festival of Arts in Alabama, I realized I needed to draw again and try to fulfill my dream to be a full-time artist.”

Exhibition, Artist of the Month: Luis Sanchez

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Gallery on Main's second annual "Artist of the Month" series features paintings, drawings and prints by Luis Sanchez of Princeton, on view April 1 – 28, 2018.

Luis’s work is a reflection of personal situations experienced, or the observation of others’ experiences. He grew up in Queens, New York, where his inspirations came from the streets, with the city’s raw grittiness and graffiti art. When he moved to Princeton, it was a night-and-day change. His style continues to develop and evolve as he incorporates both worlds.

Admission is free, and the artist’s works are available for purchase.

Join us for the opening reception on Friday April 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.!

Find of the Week: Illustrated book "The True Story of Abraham Lincoln, the American" (1896)

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In honor of Lincoln's birthday, we're featuring an 1896 edition of The True Story of Abraham Lincoln, the American, Told for Boys and Girls by Elbridge S. Brooks. First-edition hardcover with numerous illustrations and full-page plates. Published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. in Boston. Part of the "Children's Lives of Great Men" collector's series.An estate sale find, this book is approximately 7" x 9.5” with 239 pages.

Chapters are: How Something Came From Nothing, A Boy of The Backwoods, How Abraham Saw The World, How the Rail-Splitter Raised Himself, Captain Lincoln, How the Storekeeper Grew Ambitious, The Honorable Mr. Lincoln, How the County Lawyer Won Fame, How the Backwoods Boy Became President, How the Flat-Boatman Guided the Ship of State, How Abraham Lincoln Made His Name Immortal, Why the People Would Not Swap Horses, and Abraham Lincoln The American.

The cover and spine have embossing and decorations. It's in very good condition overall for its age. This has corner, edge, spine wear and bumping with cloth wear to corners and spine ends. The binding is tight and all pages intact. There is some staining on the cover. There has been a repair to the first inside cover page, but all the rest of pages are original and tight. There is age toning and some random foxing and staining. The book is complete.

To learn more about this piece and see additional photos, visit our Etsy shop or come see it in person at Gallery on Main. Feel free to call or email us with any questions.

Exhibition: Artist of the Month - Beth Ferris Sale

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Gallery on Main’s 2018 "Artist of the Month" series continues with an exhibition of photography by Beth Ferris Sale, on extended view through March 30.

Beth explains her work by saying, “Visualizing life through a kaleidoscope has greatly contributed to my creative process. Forever-changing images, with each turn the colors and light present a unique quality, no two alike. Natural light significantly effects when and how I capture each image. The transformation of my work into digital art is one of the most gratifying aspects of my creative journey; transcending a vintage and nostalgic feel reminiscent of Kodachrome with deep saturated colors. My images are an extension of my whimsical approach to life — bringing more color, light, and humor into the world.”

She continues, “My process has evolved organically; a happy accident resulting in a signature style. My work brings to life everyday scenes that oftentimes go unnoticed by those celebrating the simplicity and beauty of a moment in time. Truly one of the most rewarding aspects of creating is in the sharing and how it relates to, and resonates with the observer.”

Exhibition: Artist of the Month - Natalia Pas

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Throughout January, Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series features mixed-media works by Natalia Pas of Roselle Park, New Jersey.

Meet the artist at a free opening reception at Gallery on Main on Saturday, January 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Natalia Pas draws inspiration from her beloved birthplace, a small village in rural Poland. Her brilliantly colorful landscape paintings honor the natural terrains she frolicked across as a child. Formally trained, with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts and Art Education, her work inspires viewers to rejoice in the splendor of the earth, with diverse imagery that allows each piece to highlight the eternal beauty of nature or capture whispers from ephemeral dreamscapes.

Natalia has a unique technique of using embroidery on painted canvas that stems from a long tradition of woman decorating their homes with ornate embroidery. The use of hand embroidered flowers and animals in Poland gives homage to the pride of the land that people own and farm. This connection to nature and hard work is connected in the tedious embroidery that is portrayed in the landscapes.