Alfa Art Gallery presents the Summer 2024 NBAS Oil, Sculpture, and Mixed Media Exhibition Color and Texture: Anthologies of Artistry

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — Alfa Art Gallery presents the Summer 2024 NBAS Oil, Sculpture, and Mixed Media Exhibition Color and Texture: Anthologies of Artistry. The event is free and open from August 27 until October 19, 2024. This exhibit brings together an eclectic mix of artists whose works explore the interplay of vibrant color and rich texture, inviting viewers on a journey through diverse artistic landscapes. This exhibition features emotionally charged paintings and sculptures that delve into the complexities of human emotion through spontaneous mark-making and layered textures.

The exhibition includes paintings that intertwine artistic practice with meditation, offering a space for contemplation on collective consciousness. Works featuring layers of handmade papers, drawings, and natural elements depict the rejuvenation found in nature, encouraging a deeper exploration of the environment. Other oil paintings depicting landscapes and overlooked scenes of daily life explore themes of cultural heritage, womanhood, and human connection. Dramatic landscapes and figurative collages blend imagery and abstract forms to investigate the shifting boundaries between chaos and order.

The anthology is completed with sculptures that add rich textures and vibrant colors to the exhibition. Dense abstract works composed of layers of fabric and vivid paint are juxtaposed with wire houses filled with negative space. These pieces balance the paintings they accompany, evoking themes of humanity, place, and emotion while taking viewers deeper into their exploration and journey through a tapestry of artistry.

Beneath the dramatic landscapes and human experiences in the paintings, viewers can dive into familiar elements presented in fresh and thought-provoking ways through the vibrant colors and textures brought to life by our talented artists’ unique visions. Join us for this extraordinary exhibition that promises to engage, inspire, and provoke thought. Color and Texture: Anthologies of Artistry is free and open to the public, Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

There will be a Virtual Opening Reception on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 6:30pm and an in-person Opening Reception on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 6:30pm.

About the New Brunswick Art Salon Initiative: Alfa Art Gallery utilizes New Brunswick Art Salons to unify the local art community and beyond. Since starting the program in 2010, Alfa has made a point to include a salon dedicated to showcasing pieces in watercolor, oil, photography, and various mixed mediums. Over the years, the series has not only exhibited works from both established and emerging artists, but has also made fruitful connections locally and internationally through its successful programs. Within this non- profit organization, Alfa Art Gallery maintains its mission to uplift artists by providing an open and innovative environment that is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and diverse cultural community.

2024 NBAS Featured Artists in Oil, Sculpture, and Mixed Media:

Ritu Baja, also known as RitzB, is a New Jersey-based artist specializing in contemporary realism. After starting her artistic journey in college and receiving oil painting training in India, she honed her skills even further by studying after a master in the United States. Baja’s extensive training is apparent in her tight technical pieces, as her paintings display a high level of detail and accuracy. Her pieces, primarily in oil, are often inspired by nature, inviting viewers to see beauty in small moments and appreciate daily life. Baja has participated in several showcases and juried exhibitions and has done commissioned work for private collectors.

RitaMarie Cimni is a fine artist based in Delaware. Through her work, she uses common experiences to connect to the viewer’s collective consciousness. Her works for this exhibit, including Yet Spring, Vernal, and Magnificent Beings, are intertwined with her meditation practices, which can be found on her blog, where she holds meditation groups and writes about art and spirituality. Her radiant paintings, informed by daily meditation practices, investigate links between sight and interior vision. Cimini was the President of Studio Montclair, a nonprofit visual arts organization, and holds an M.F.A. in painting and sculpture from Bennington College. Her work is held in private collections in the United States and abroad, as well as in the public collections of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the MC Hotel.

Kat Collins is an acclaimed abstract artist based in Easton, Pennsylvania, known for her vibrant, emotionally charged mixed-media paintings. With a B.F.A. from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, she has developed a distinctive style characterized by spontaneous mark-making, layered textures, and a rich palette. Utilizing diverse materials such as ink, collage, graphite, oil pastel, acrylic paint, and charcoal, Collins captures the complexity of human emotion through intricate layers and textures. Inspired by artists like Willem de Kooning and Jean-Michel Basquiat, she aims to evoke profound emotional responses, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the present moment and reflect on the shared human experience. Her work has been featured in esteemed venues across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina and has been represented by Connexions Gallery since 2022.

Kiran Dhaliwal is a New Jersey-based artist whose work focuses on her experiences living in rural India. Dhaliwal was born in India and raised in the United States, moving back and forth between the two countries as she grew up. Art has always been a big part of Dhaliwal’s life, but it was not until 2016 that she began experimenting with oil paint, where she used the medium to depict landscapes and everyday life scenes in India. Her oil paintings explore the lives of ordinary women in India, depicting scenes of human connection and highlighting the culture of her birthplace. Paying homage to her past and exploring the culture of her birthplace. Dhaliwal’s work has been exhibited across the United States, with notable shows in New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Carmelita Diaz Kamin completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts from the University of Guanajuato, a postgraduate degree in Art Therapy from the University of Barcelona, and a Master’s Degree in Visual Arts from the State University of New York. Diaz has participated in various individual and group exhibitions in Mexico, the United States, and Spain, including Parameter of Lumen Art at the Carrillo Gil Musem, Artefacts at the Equity Gallery in Manhattan, and Art as Social Action at the University of Barcelona. Her work is characterized by the use of oil, Chinese ink, ceramics, natural pigments, and other materials that have always been covered by historical links with the stories immersed in the landscapes and living spaces. Through her multifaceted practice, Diaz explores profound cultural history and personal self-exploration.

Jane Dell is a contemporary American artist and painter who combines imagery and inventive abstract forms in her free-flowing, colorful, surreal landscapes and figurative collage paintings. Dell holds a B.F.A. in painting and printmaking from Pratt Institute. Furthermore, she studied textile design and fabric arts at Parsons School of Design and graphic design, as well as illustration and printmaking at The School of Visual Arts N.Y.C. Her work is included in many private collections in New York, New Jersey, Switzerland, and Matera, Italy. Her mixed-media works are created with acrylic and collage on canvas, watercolor, ink, and photography. Dell’s experimental paintings are influenced by the unpredictability of life, exploring the ever-shifting boundaries between chaos and order in nature. Her process begins with a loose idea guided through evolution by materials, and her gestural brushwork blends organic shapes with geometric worlds.

Dan Finaldi grew up in an immigrant home in Rochester, New York surrounded by a diverse, working-class community. From an early age, his artistic passion was nurtured by a local commercial printer who provided him with paper for his sketches. After initial studies at a local community college, he transferred to SUNY New Paltz, where he committed to figurative painting despite the dominance of Abstract Expressionism. He later earned his MFA at Brooklyn College, studying under renowned artists like Lois Dodd. Now residing in Highland Park, New Jersey, Finaldi’s work focuses on the narrative power of figuration, particularly through scenes of diverse groups of people at play in public parks. His paintings aim to counter societal animosity by depicting harmonious interactions in communal spaces, highlighting the potential for peaceful coexistence within the human family.

Shoshana Kertesz was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, and currently resides in Nutley, New Jersey. Her work is renowned for portraiture, often painting realism utilizing oil and pencil-based mediums. Kertez’s portraiture renders an individual’s innermost world into distinct philosophical moods figuratively with subtle brushwork and carefully chosen color schemes. Through themes as self-examination conveyed through dramatic, narrative visual means, her artwork investigates what it means to be human and have an identity. She delves into themes of introspection and solitude using an expressive lyrical approach aiming to capture the essence in artists, dancers, and writers, poets, and musicians. While her paintings may seem light-hearted and whimsical, viewing them provides a deep bond with our humanity. Her work is both evocative and introspective and has the ability to both capture the essence of its subjects and explore important and complex themes.

Sandra Koberlein is a media and abstract artist whose works are composed of intriguing layers. Her works include handmade papers, original drawings, photos, cyanotype prints, and ephemera. She specializes in encaustic paintings, which captives her for their environmentally friend material, rich history, and creative challenges it gives her. Her work captures natural worlds, transforming magical rejuvenations and providing a sense of place. Furthermore, Koberlein is a certified encaustic instructor with R&F Handmade Paints and teaches through her workshops at local art centers and in her Pennsville, NJ studio. She received an A.A. from The Art Institute, a B.A. in Art, and a B.A. in Education from Rowan, earning the Gates Award for Excellence. H er dedication to encaustic painting—a medium with a rich history—infuses her work with a luminous quality that invites viewers to explore the depth and beauty of her creations.

Duane Lutsko is a studio painter and art educator dedicated to invoking artistic processes to develop and sustain the human experience. Born in Texas, raised in California, and having resided in Maryland, New York, and now New Jersey, Lutsko holds an M.F.A. in Painting from Brooklyn College, C.U.N.Y., and a B.A. in Fine Arts (Painting) from U.C.L.A. He has instructed at various art institutions, including the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Visual Art Center of New Jersey. His oil-based paintings delve into the American cultural landscape, exploring elements etched into the collective consciousness. Lutsko examines the dichotomy of motor vehicles, highways, and roads—among other American staples—as symbols of both freedom and mundane daily routines. His paintings encourage spectators to view these everyday elements in a new light.

Lisa Marseglia-Moran is a distinguished Northern New Jersey artist and educator with a BFA from Boston College and a teaching certification from William Paterson College. With a 30-year journey teaching art in New Jersey, her retirement in 2021 redirected her focus towards art making and creativity. Her dedication to creating unique mixed-media weavings earned her recognition and awards for her work in the metropolitan area. Her works, specializing in oil on canvas and works on paper, effortlessly intertwine artistry, harmony, and the natural world – delving into the profound beauty of nature and the inherent interconnectedness of life. Her abstract expressionist pieces, crafted across various mediums including oils, watercolor, pen and ink, and mixed media, undergo a distinctive process: separate paintings and drawings are meticulously deconstructed and interwoven, embodying her core themes of energy, movement, and unity. Each creation is a metaphor for Lak’Ech – the profound notion that we are all intricately linked.

Kirk Maynard is originally from Brooklyn, New York, utilizes art to highlight the political undercurrents of American identity and culture. His initial love of art came from comics and matured in high school when he worked as an art teaching assistant. His artistic expression further developed in graduate school when he began to focus more on politics in his work; His work evolved beyond simply art for aesthetic reasons, but rather to highlight issues Maynard had already been thinking about. Maynard primarily uses oil paint and oil pastels, focusing on portraiture, where he uses composition, juxtaposition, and the profile angle to explore how identity and politics intersect. Maynard’s recent series focuses on contemporary society’s marginalization of black people, the relationship between people of the African and Caribbean diaspora, and the so-called American Dream. Now residing in New Jersey, Maynard works not only as an artist but as an educator.

Rosalind Nzinga is a mixed-media artist dedicated to storytelling through textures, textiles, and paper. Nzinga studied drawing and painting at Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and earned a B.F.A. from California State University, Long Beach. Initially creating papier-mâché sculptures and assemblages, Nzinga developed a profound appreciation for paper’s versatility. Such has led her to creating mixed media quilts, paintings, collages, and installations using vintage lace and handmade upcycled paper. Furthermore, Nzinga embraces repurposing materials resulting from being inspired by her grandmother’s recycling practice. Her art features abstract and interpretive narratives deeply influenced by her American and African roots. Her artwork showcases iconography and textiles from the African diaspora displayed in a poetic and transcendental manner.

Keith J. Vogrin is a fine artist and neo-romantic oil painter residing in Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania. Vogrin holds a B.F.A. in Drawing and Painting from Pennsylvania State University. As an avid outdoorsman, Vogrin’s passion for fishing, camping, and hiking profoundly influences his art. He maintains a studio in his Bethlehem home, where he continues to create and exhibit award- winning pieces in juried shows across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. Vogrin views himself as a perpetual art student, constantly seeking new challenges and inspiration. His work primarily focuses on nature and architecture, capturing scenes from the Lehigh Valley, the East Coast, and the Pocono Mountains. Vogrin’s paintings are known for their dramatic contrasts of light and dark, warm and cool colors, and textured brush strokes in a controlled looseness style. His compositions often offer unique perspectives, challenging viewers to see familiar environments in new ways.

Rebecca Welz, born in California, spent much of her adult life in New York City. For over 30 years, she has taught at Pratt Institute. Her artistic career began as a painter before transitioning to working with sanded, folded sheet acrylic and, eventually, steel. Inspired by origami, Welz’s sculptures evolved from acrylic to her current use of heated and bent steel rods, embodying the delicate interplay between nature and human influence. Her transition from painting to sculpting with steel reflects a journey toward capturing the essence of natural forms through simple lines. Using heated and bent steel rods, she creates intricate, three-dimensional drawings that convey the materials’ lightness and strength. Welz’s process is intuitive, building piece upon piece to form weightless yet substantial structures. Highlighted is the fragility of our environment and the impact of human actions, inviting viewers to explore the complex relationship between nature and humanity.

Deborah Winiarski holds a Master’s degree from Queens College, and she studied at the Art Students League of New York, where she has been an esteemed instructor since 2009. Known for her innovative use of fabric and color to create raised, textured surfaces, Winiarski continues to push the boundaries of visual art exploring the intricate relationships between light, shadow, color, line, and edge. Renowned for her unique approach to mixed-media relief paintings, her work employs a variety of processes, including printmaking, painting, drawing, sewing, and mark-making. Through these techniques, she captures the fluidity of movement in time, presenting it in a still, tangible form. Winiarski holds a profound understanding of texture and space, creating undulating surfaces that invite viewers to engage with her artwork. Deborah Winiarski now lives and works in New York City, where she continues to explore and innovate within the realm of mixed media art.

Josephine Barreiro, also known as J131, is a mixed media and street artist based in Newark, New Jersey. Her paintings, often done in acrylic and spray paint, often feature stylized animals against a vibrant background. The foreground and background are often distinguished through a contrast in color—or, in the cases of her black and white work, a variation in pattern and texture. Barreiro’s paintings combine natural, animalistic subject matter with the chaos and vitality of the street art style. Her style is inspired by her experiences growing up in an urban area and with Spanish heritage. Although they are still images, the vibrance of her pieces creates an incredible sense of movement and energy, contributing to her themes of spirituality, anxiety, and transformation. Barreiro has exhibited in various galleries across New Jersey and is an art educator in the Newark public school system as well as a professor of fine arts at Kean University.

Alfa Art Gallery is located at 108 Church Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  The gallery was established in October of 2007 by Vesselin Kourtev and Galina Kourteva. As a world-class fine artist and teacher, Vesselin utilizes Alfa to fulfill his ambitious goals. Since opening the gallery, he and his wife Galina have constantly strived for excellence. The site of New Brunswick was an ideal location for Alfa as it exudes a rich ethnic heritage and serves as the Hub City of New Jersey. Since 2010, the Alfa organized multiple New Brunswick Art Salon exhibitions (NBAS) throughout the year, collaborating with other organizations to mutually expand the gallery outreach. Scouting and attracting new artists through professional criticism is a major function that Alfa has fulfilled for a decade. Alfa’s goal is to unite a collective of painters, sculptors, actors, and writers from surrounding areas and beyond within a single cultural hub. Alfa became a welcoming space for students and members of the community alike to converge in a relaxing artistic atmosphere. Furthermore, Alfa is constantly trying to reach new local and international artists in order to demonstrate the importance of art and display how the study and practice of art in all of its iterations can pay dividends in community enrichment and education. Since its establishment, Alfa has hosted over 450 events, providing the New Brunswick community with more than 600 artists who work in a variety of mediums. Believing in the idea that art is a universal form of expression, Alfa believes that they are capable of bridging cultural gaps.

 

The Audible Showcase Stage Celebrates Newark’s Rising Voices During North to Shore Festival

(NEWARK, NJ) — Rising Newark artists will step into the spotlight over three days at the Audible Showcase Stage, a new feature of the Prudential presents North to Shore Festival, which comes to Newark June 23-30, 2024.

---

The Stage Comes Alive With the Yardley Players and ‘The Sound of Music’ at Kelsey Theatre

---

State Theatre New Jersey presents Alan Cumming: Uncut

---

bergenPAC presents Almost Queen on Saturday

Click here for more event previews

© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and on our RSS feed

---

Art | Comedy | Dance | Film | Music | Theatre | Ad Rates | About Us | Pitch a Story | Links | Radio Shows | Privacy Policy