Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

Self Expression Through Art - A Workshop for Teens
2023-11-06 15:30 - 17:00 UTC | NJ
As a teen, balancing school, social life, and personal responsibilities can often feel overwhelming. It’s not uncommon to feel stressed, anxious, or simply unsure how to express what you’re going through. One of the many benefits of artmaking is its ability to help identify, manage, and cope with various sources of stress and anxiety. The Art Center, along with art therapist Megan Tuttle, is now offering a series of art therapy workshops for teens titled “Self-Expression Through Art.” These workshops provide teens a safe space to create, process their feelings, and have open conversations where there is no such thing as a “bad” emotion.
This FREE workshop series begins on Monday, October 9, from 3:30–5 PM, with the first of five workshops. They are free and open to all teens ages 13+, though registration is required, and attendees may sign up for as many or as few sessions as they prefer. Workshops will be held bi-weekly on Mondays this fall:

October 9
October 23
November 6
November 13
November 27

We hope your teen takes advantage of this unique opportunity to explore their emotions and express themselves through art!
Questions? Contact Rachel Aponte, Director of Education & Community Engagement, at raponte@artcenternj.org.

Road Trip: Adventures in American Art
2023-11-01 - 2023-11-03 | NJ
Join the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey as we pack our bags for an adventure to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas! Praised in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, this is “the most-talked-about new museum in the United States in a generation.” Click here to learn more and to purchase tickets!

Winter Semester Pre-Registration
2023-10-30 - 2023-11-12 | NJ
VACNJ members get access to early registration for all Studio School classes and winter semester pre-registration opens on Monday, October 30. As an added bonus, members receive a special members-only discount: $5 off per class, up to $15 total for the semester.* This discount is only available through November 12.
Pre-registration is only available in person or over the phone, so stop by our front desk or call 908.273.9121. Registration opens to the public on November 13.
*Discount does not apply to workshops. Discount available for in-person or phone pre-registrations only.

Raku-Fest 2023
2023-10-28 10:00 - 2023-10-29 16:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Join us for Raku-Fest! Raku-Fest showcases the unique ceramic firing process in which red-hot ceramic pieces are transferred directly from the kiln into a container of combustible materials. The heat of the ceramic causes the materials to ignite, and the resulting smoke creates one-of-a-kind effects in the ceramic glaze. Led by raku veterans and Art Center Instructors Peter Syak and Lisette Bedoya, this is sure to be an unforgettable event!
Attend the Event—advance registration required
A limited-capacity audience can watch the action live as multiple raku firings take place throughout each day. To help control crowding, admission is available for either morning (10 AM–12:30 PM) or afternoon (1:30–4 PM) on both Saturday and Sunday. Attendees may arrive at any time during their time window. Walk-ins on the day of the event will be available only if capacity allows.
$5 per person admission fee. Children 17 & under are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Maximum of two free children per paying adult, please.
Saturday Morning
Saturday Afternoon
Sunday Morning
Sunday Afternoon

Glaze Items for Purchase
An assortment of pre-made ceramic pieces will be available for purchase for participants to glaze and have fired during the event. If you choose to glaze an item, your $5 admission fee will be deducted from the cost of one item (full cost listed below). Items available for purchase and glazing include: jewelry pieces, plates, and pots of varying sizes. Walk-ins the day of the event will be available only if capacity allows.
Jewelry Piece: $12
Plate: $25
Student Piece: $20
Wheel-thrown Pot: $30

Artist Talk: Elana Herzog and Sara Reisman
2023-10-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Join the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey as we present this FREE Artist Talk with exhibiting artist Elana Herzog and Sara Reisman, the Chief Curator and Director of National Academician Affairs at the National Academy of Design in New York City. Reisman, who featured Herzog’s work in the exhibition Sedimentations: Assemblage as Social Repair will lead this discussion. Herzog will discuss her Main Gallery exhibition Ripped, Tangled, and Frayed, and share how and why she creates.
This event will also celebrate the release of Herzog’s exhibition catalogue, created in concert with Ripped, Tangled, and Frayed, and will include a mixer prior to the formal discussion with regional women artists.
This event is free of charge, but registration is required. Click here to sign up!

Self Expression Through Art - A Workshop for Teens
2023-10-23 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-10-09 15:30 - 17:00 | NJ
As a teen, balancing school, social life, and personal responsibilities can often feel overwhelming. It’s not uncommon to feel stressed, anxious, or simply unsure how to express what you’re going through. One of the many benefits of artmaking is its ability to help identify, manage, and cope with various sources of stress and anxiety. The Art Center, along with art therapist Megan Tuttle, is now offering a series of art therapy workshops for teens titled “Self-Expression Through Art.” These workshops provide teens a safe space to create, process their feelings, and have open conversations where there is no such thing as a “bad” emotion.
This FREE workshop series begins on Monday, October 9, from 3:30–5 PM, with the first of five workshops. They are free and open to all teens ages 13+, though registration is required, and attendees may sign up for as many or as few sessions as they prefer. Workshops will be held bi-weekly on Mondays this fall:

October 9
October 23
November 6
November 13
November 27

We hope your teen takes advantage of this unique opportunity to explore their emotions and express themselves through art!
Questions? Contact Sarah Walko, Director of Education & Community Engagement at swalko@artcenternj.org.

Dikra Gem Sale
2023-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Looking for the perfect stone to complete your piece? Dikra Gem Inc. will visit the Art Center on Tuesday, October 17, from 7–9 PM, to offer their collection of faceted and cabochon stones, beads, pearls, and more for purchase. Both students and faculty are welcome to attend!
For more than a decade the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey has enjoyed a special relationship with Dikra Gem. Once a year, they bring their collection to the Art Center to give our jewelry students the opportunity to purchase quality, unique gems at fair prices to add the perfect finishing touch to a piece or spark inspiration for a new one. Don’t miss out—join us on October 17!

SAGE Exhibition Opening
2023-10-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Join us on Saturday, October 14, from 2–4 PM for the opening of this special exhibition of work created by participants from our Art from the Heart program at SAGE Eldercare.

Evening with an Artist with Elana Herzog
2023-10-05 18:30 - 21:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Join us on Thursday, October 5, for an evening of fine food, fine drink, and fine conversation. Exhibiting artist Elana Herzog will discuss her work, focusing on her exhibition Elana Herzog: Ripped, Tangled, and Frayed on view in the Main Gallery. This intimate affair will begin at 6:30 PM with a cocktail hour welcome with sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres followed by a conversation with the artist in the Main Gallery surrounded by Herzog’s artwork. The evening will wind down with dessert and coffee in the lobby.
For more information, and to purchase tickets, click here.

Fall Exhibitions Opening Event
2023-09-29 18:30 - 20:30 | NJ
The Art Center is hosting a special opening event for our fall exhibitions Elana Herzog: Ripped, Tangled, and Frayed; Sandra Eula Lee: The Walking Mountain; Samanta Batra Mehta: Search for the Empyrean; and Jeffrey Gibson: SHE KNOWS OTHER WORLDS.
Want to attend the opening? Become a member today!

Fall Semester Begins
2023-09-18 | NJ

Arts + Cars
2023-09-17 10:00 - 16:00 | NJ
Do you have art or crafts you want to show and sell? The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey and Summit Downtown are thrilled to once again be hosting an outdoor art festival in beautiful downtown Summit! The event will work alongside local businesses and the Summit Farmers Market and will include a car show, a stage with musical performances all day long, and a beer garden. The event always attracts large audiences.
Event Date: Sunday, September 17, 2023 (rain or shine), 10 AM–4 PM
HOW DO I APPLY?
The Arts + Cars, a downtown Summit Art Festival, is a juried arts and crafts festival. Apply for your space by completing and e-mailing, mailing handing in this form at the Art Center in person. [Download The Entry Form Here.]
PARTICIPATION POLICIES: Applications from artists working in fine art & craft will be accepted for jury. ONLY original work in design and concept by the artist(s) signing this agreement is allowed and must be for sale. Artists may only occupy booth space assigned to them. Artists may share a booth, with a limit of three artists per 10×10’ booth.
Reproductions (including giclées) of an artist’s original work displayed on walls or panels must not comprise more than 40% of exhibited work; must be clearly & individually labeled, signed, numbered & part of a limited-edition series.
Photography: 75% must be signed and numbered in series of no more than 250.
Jewelry: Jewelers must be the designers & hands-on makers of original work.
Prohibited: agents, dealers, imports, works created from kits, art supplies, buy/sell items, patterns, embellished commercial products, and mass-produced works.
Artists must display ‘family-friendly’ images. Final interpretation of acceptable work will be made by the jury committee, which reserves the right to remove work deemed unsuitable for display or misrepresented by the application or expel an exhibitor without refund who breaks these rules.
Artists are to exhibit on the day of the event rain or shine. Name(s) of the artist(s) on this application is/are required to attend the booth & be present for all of the advertised hours.
All proceeds from sales belong to the artist, along with the responsibility to set up, break down, and collect/report sales tax to the State of New Jersey. Art demonstrations are encouraged. Pets are not allowed, except for service animals. We reserve the right to change policies.
SET-UP: Check-in begins Sunday, 8 AM. Set-up must be completed by Sunday, 10 AM. No setup until vehicle is fully unloaded & moved to designated parking area. Your booth display must be professional & aesthetically pleasing, and must not exceed your assigned space. It is your responsibility to adequately stake and weight your tent against wind gusts/weather. You must be checked in by Sunday, 9 am or your space may be reassigned and your fees forfeited.
BREAK DOWN: Artists may not break down their booth until the fair ends at 4:30 PM on Sunday. All refuse must be properly disposed of at the end of the day. Do not leave behind any articles that were used in your display. You must leave a clean footprint.
BOOTH SPACE: Marked, numbered, & measure Single: 10’w x 10’ deep; Double: 20’w x 10’ deep; or Triple: 30’ x 10’ deep. Artists are responsible for required tent, tables, chairs, booth design, contents, and weights. Electricity is not provided.
CANCELLATION POLICY: NO REFUNDS. An accepted application is considered a commitment to show.

Summer Art Camp: Week 10
2023-08-21 - 2023-08-25 | NJ
MINI MASTERS (ages 5–9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 21–25, 10 AM–3 PM
Kids become mini masters while experimenting with art media and techniques used by famous artists. While learning about art history, campers will paint primary colored animals inspired by Piet Mondrian, sculpt cats inspired by Laurel Birch, and use pastels in a project inspired by Diego Riveria.
CHARACTER DESIGN & ANIMATION AND EVERYTHING CLAY (ages 10–12) WAITLIST ONLY
August 21–25, 10 AM–3 PM
Character Design & Animation: Create your own characters and learn about animation. Spanning the fundamentals of drawing to scenario-based character design to storyboarding and beyond, this camp will teach tweens all about 2D hand-drawn animation. Referencing the art of masters such as Walt Disney and Hayao Miyazaki, campers will gather a historical perspective of the art of animation. Using tools such as storyboards, markers, watercolors, and model magic, tweens will bring their characters to life in a short animation.
Everything Clay: This camp is perfect for the tween looking to explore various types of clay. During the week tweens will get to use the pottery wheel to throw and embellish a functional ceramic piece that will be glazed and fired in the kiln. Tweens will also learn the techniques for working with paper clay, from building an armature to give the clay structure to decorating their creations using paint, decoupage, or other materials. Finally, tweens will explore polymer clay by making everyday objects in miniature.
ASSEMBLAGE AND ESSENTIAL DRAWING & PAINTING TECHNIQUES (ages 10–12)
August 21–25, 10 AM–3 PM
Assemblage: Tweens will transform everyday items into expressive, personal sculptures! Imagine all the artistic possibilities in combining materials such as paper, plastic, clay, and wire with found objects. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, tweens will learn various techniques to manipulate the materials and create one-of-a-kind sculptures.
Essential Drawing & Painting Techniques: This camp is perfect for the tween looking to develop the foundational skills of drawing and painting. Tweens will use their observational skills and gain familiarity with diverse media, such as graphite, charcoal, acrylics, and watercolors, through drawing exercises that may include gesture drawings, blind contours, and contour drawings. Linear perspective, color theory, and building form with light and shadow will also be covered as tweens render their artistic creations.
ASSEMBLAGE AND ESSENTIAL DRAWING & PAINTING TECHNIQUES (ages 13+)
August 21–25, 10 AM–3 PM
Assemblage: Teens will transform everyday items into expressive, personal sculptures! Imagine all the artistic possibilities in combining materials such as paper, plastic, clay, and wire with found objects. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, teens will learn various techniques to manipulate the materials and create one-of-a-kind sculptures.
Essential Drawing & Painting Techniques: This camp is perfect for the teen looking to develop the foundational skills of drawing and painting. Teens will use their observational skills and gain familiarity with diverse media (such as graphite, charcoal, acrylics, and watercolors) through drawing exercises that may include gesture drawings, blind contours, and contour drawings. Linear perspective, color theory, and building form with light and shadow will also be covered as teens render their artistic creations.

Summer Art Camp: Week 9
2023-08-14 - 2023-08-18 | NJ
NEW! AT THE CIRCUS (ages 5–9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 14–18, 10 AM–3 PM
Art takes center stage at this ALL NEW week of camp, featuring projects inspired by a trip to the circus. Kids will create projects that capture the whimsy and amusement of a classic circus, such as a mixed-media artwork of circus animals on a train, a Chagall-inspired circus painting, and an elephant in clay.
ART JOURNALING AND DRAWING PORTRAITS (ages 10–12)
August 14–18, 10 AM–3 PM
Art Journaling: Art journaling is a wonderful habit for everyone, not just artists! Keeping a journal that contains one’s inspirations, frustrations, dreams, and fears is a way to creatively process everyday life. Tweens will make their own journal with simple bookbinding techniques and will fill its pages both inside and outside of camp. Tweens are encouraged to share their journaling journey during camp.
Drawing Portraits: Take observational drawing skills to the next level! Tweens will draw from printed images, focusing on the features of the human face. This camp will explore light and shading, allowing tweens to gain a better understanding of the facial structure through demonstration and drawing exercises.
PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUES AND WATERCOLOR EXPLORATION (ages 10–12)
August 14–18, 10 AM–3 PM
Printmaking Techniques: In this unique camp, teens will create their own limited-edition prints on our professional presses while learning various techniques, styles, and tools of the printmaking trade through demonstrations and hands-on practice. This camp will cover techniques including plexiglass drypoint and mono-printing as tweens create original prints that are either one-of-a-kind or editionable!
Watercolor Exploration: Watercolor is a classic painting medium that builds upon drawing skills while also incorporating color theory. The foundations of watercolor painting and color mixing will be explored as tweens are introduced to a variety of techniques, including basic washes, layering of paints, and how to create strong compositions with the interplay of dark and light values.
PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUES AND WATERCOLOR EXPLORATION (ages 13+)
August 14–18, 10 AM–3 PM
Printmaking Techniques: In this unique camp, teens will create their own limited-edition prints on our professional presses while learning various techniques, styles, and tools of the printmaking trade through demonstrations and hands-on practice. This camp will cover techniques including plexiglass drypoint and mono-printing as teens create original prints that are either one-of-a-kind or editionable!
Watercolor Exploration: Watercolor is a classic painting medium that builds upon drawing skills while also incorporating color theory. The foundations of watercolor painting and color mixing will be explored as tweens are introduced to a variety of techniques, including basic washes, layering of paints, and how to create strong compositions with the interplay of dark and light values.
HALF-DAY DIGITAL SUMMER ART CAMP: DIGITAL GRAPHIC DESIGN
August 14–18
Tweens (ages 10–12), 10 AM–12:15 PM
Teens (ages 13+), 12:45–3 PM
From cereal boxes to posters to social media, graphic design is everywhere. It is a way of communicating using line, shape, color, space, and more to share information and ideas through art. During this week of camp, campers will learn to think graphically by exploring page layout, typography, and marketing. The week will start by using traditional drawing skills to sketch out ideas, then campers will learn to translate their ideas to the computer using Adobe Photoshop.

Summer Art Camp: Week 8
2023-08-07 - 2023-08-11 | NJ
ART IN NATURE (ages 5–9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 7–11, 10 AM–3 PM
An old favorite theme returns! Be inspired by the beauty around us every day in nature. Campers will create projects from a clay snail to a Zentangle rainbow painting to seashells illustrated with colored pencil.
ESSENTIAL DRAWING & PAINTING TECHNIQUES AND GRAPHIC NOVEL & WEBCOMICS (ages 10–12) WAITLIST ONLY
August 7–11, 10 AM–3 PM
Essential Drawing & Painting Techniques: This camp is perfect for the tween looking to develop the foundational skills of drawing and painting. Tweens will use their observational skills and gain familiarity with diverse media, such as graphite, charcoal, and acrylics, through drawing exercises that may include gesture drawings, blind contours, and contour drawings. Linear perspective, color theory, and building form with light and shadow will also be covered as tweens render their artistic creations.
Graphic Novel & Webcomics: Explore the world of graphic novel illustration and webcomics! Tweens will learn various hand-illustration techniques for comics, as well as discuss strategies for starting, maintaining, and sharing a successful project. Campers will focus on improving their artistic skills and will touch on ways in which they can safely and effectively use the web to their advantage while managing a consistent update schedule, as well as the potential and opportunities of sharing printed work.
GRAPHIC ARTS AND FIBER ARTS (ages 10–12)
August 7–11, 10 AM–3 PM
Graphic Arts: Look around—graphic design is everywhere! During this week of camp, tweens will learn the basics of graphic design including typography, page layout, and marketing. Projects will help build foundational art skills as campers will use traditional non-digital techniques while working on projects such as designing a logo, package design, and magazine page layouts. This camp is perfect for finding dynamic ways to communicate ideas!
Fiber Arts: Explore the wonderful world of fiber arts through color, texture, and pattern! Tweens will learn the basics of how to warp and weave on a loom to create different textiles that are functional or purely decorative. Campers will create several skill-building projects during this exciting week of camp. Set up the loom and let the creativity unfold!
GRAPHIC ARTS AND FIBER ARTS (ages 13+)
August 7–11, 10 AM–3 PM
Graphic Arts: Look around, graphic design is everywhere! During this week of camp, teens will learn the basics of graphic design including typography, page layout, and marketing. Projects will help build foundational art skills as campers will use traditional non-digital techniques while working on projects such as designing a logo, package design, and magazine page layouts. This camp is perfect for finding dynamic ways to communicate ideas!
Fiber Arts: Explore the wonderful world of fiber arts through color, texture, and pattern! Teens will learn the basics of how to warp and weave on a loom to create different textiles that are functional or purely decorative. Campers will be creating several skill-building projects during this exciting week of camp. Set up the loom and let the creativity unfold!
HALF-DAY DIGITAL SUMMER ART CAMP: PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL PHOTO EDITING
August 7–11
Tweens (ages 10–12), 10 AM–12:15 PM
Teens (ages 13+), 12:45–3 PM
In this five-day camp, campers will learn how to analyze and speak about the images they see in their everyday lives. Campers will critically think and discuss the technical aspects of what comprises a meaningful photograph through artistic composition, framing, and form. By reinforcing photo vocabulary words, campers will as well have the opportunity to create their own original photographs both in the Art Center and on photo-walks throughout the neighborhood. The program will culminate with campers digitally editing their photographs for the purpose of sharing them with their fellow campers or through the creation of their own photobooks. Students will need to bring a digital Camera or smart Phone with a camera to this camp.

Summer Art Camp: Week 7
2023-07-31 - 2023-08-04 | NJ
ART AROUND THE WORLD (ages 5–9) WAITLIST ONLY
July 31–August 4, 10 AM–3 PM
Pack your bags! Kids will “travel” the world and learn how different cultures create art. Make a watercolor painting of Asian paper lanterns, print a Moroccan architectural design, and create an African safari diorama. Your camper will become fluent in the universal language of art!
FIBER ARTS AND GRAFFITI (ages 10–12)
July 31–August 4, 10 AM–3 PM
Fiber Arts: Explore the wonderful world of fiber arts through color, texture, and pattern! Tweens will learn the basics of how to warp and weave on a loom to create different textiles that are functional or purely decorative. Campers will be creating several skill-building projects during this exciting week of camp. Set up the loom and let the creativity unfold!
Graffiti: Tweens will create their own tag using soft and sharp shapes, wild style, or Gothic font. Campers will learn how to create 3D letters using perspective and make connected letters that flow. Tweens will draw a background setting and arrange graffiti into an aesthetically pleasing composition. Fine art concepts such as composition, perspective, and color theory will all be taught alongside graffiti painting techniques. To promote a healthy environment, spray paint will not be used in this camp.
CHARACTER DESIGN AND EVERYTHING CLAY (ages 10–12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 31–August 4, 10 AM–3 PM
Character Design: During this week of camp, tweens will learn to design their own character(s) for comic books, graphic novels, or cartoons. They will focus on personality and expression plus learn anatomy and posing using the human body as reference. Tweens will also have a chance to explore costume design for their character. All this will come together in a project that features the character(s) they create in a short animation.
Everything Clay: This camp is perfect for the tween looking to explore various types of clay. During the week, tweens will get to use the pottery wheel to throw and embellish a functional ceramic piece that will be glazed and fired in the kiln. Tweens will also learn the techniques for working with paper clay, from building an armature to give the clay structure to decorating their creations using paint, decoupage, or other materials. Finally, tweens will explore polymer clay by making everyday objects in miniature.
CHARACTER DESIGN AND EVERYTHING CLAY (ages 13+)
July 31–August 4, 10 AM–3 PM
Character Design: During this week of camp, teens will learn to design their own character(s) for comic books, graphic novels, or cartoons. They will focus on personality and expression plus learn anatomy and posing using the human body as reference. Teens will also have a chance to explore costume design for their character. All this will come together in a project that features the character(s) they create.
Everything Clay: This camp is perfect for the teen looking to explore various types of clay. During the week, teens will get to use the pottery wheel to throw and embellish a functional ceramic piece that will be glazed and fired in the kiln. Teens will also learn the techniques for working with paper clay, from building an armature to give the clay structure to decorating their creations using paint, decoupage, or other materials. Finally, teens will explore polymer clay by making everyday objects in miniature.
HALF-DAY DIGITAL SUMMER ART CAMP: DIGITAL ARTS
July 31–August 4
Tweens (ages 10–12), 10 AM–12:15 PM
Teens (ages 13+), 12:45–3 PM
Dive into digital! In our fully-equipped digital lab, campers will use software to explore the concept of fine art in the digital realm. Campers will analyze elements of art and learn how to apply them to create digital art. This camp will also cover artistic concepts of composition and idea development.

Vivid Stage Summer Solos 2023 - Brisé
2023-07-26 18:30 - 20:00 | NJ
The weekly solo reading series returns to the Art Center this summer! All tickets are $20 (advance sales only) and readings will be done on the lawn of the Art Center. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs, picnic, and/or snacks! Rain dates for all performances are the Thursday following the scheduled date.
Brisé by Ian August featuring Jason Szamreta and directed by Laura Ekstrand.
Following a nasty fall, professional dancer Paul is diagnosed with a rare form of dementia. In a daily video diary, Paul details his day-to-day life with his new condition. But when his estranged mother arrives, Paul is forced to face hard family truths that had been buried for years, even as everything else slips away. Brisé is a one-man play about voice, about movement, and about holding on tight to the things we try our hardest to forget.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Summer Art Camp: Week 6
2023-07-24 - 2023-07-28 | NJ
APPETITE FOR ART (ages 5–9)
July 24–28, 10 AM–3 PM
Dig in! This week of camp will feature art projects inspired by delicious foods and snacks. Campers will learn several art techniques while cooking up projects like a mouthwatering clay cheeseburger and a mixed-media artwork of a breakfast skillet.
PAINTING WITH PASTELS AND SOFT SCULPTURE (ages 10–12)
July 24–28, 10 AM–3 PM
Painting with Pastels: Pastel straddles the line between painting and drawing. During this camp, tweens will be introduced to the essentials needed to draw and paint using pastels. This will include fundamentals such as drawing, light and shadow, composition, color theory, and basic perspective. Both still life and landscapes will be the subject matter for finished works of art.
Soft Sculpture: This camp takes the best of fiber arts and sculpture and merges them into a whole new art form: soft sculpture! Using textural materials such as felt, fibers, and notions, along with imagination and creativity, campers will design, prototype, and create both relief sculpture and sculpture in the round. Being able to sew is a bonus—but not necessary! —since multiple methods of soft sculpture construction will be covered. Tweens will create several projects ranging in scale over the course of the week.
NEW! FASHION & FABRIC DESIGN (ages 10–12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 24–28, 10 AM–3 PM
NEW! Fashion & Fabric Design: Spend the whole week focusing on one medium! Tweens will have both a morning and an afternoon session focused on fashion and creating with fabric. In this full-day camp, tweens will explore fashion design starting with sketching concepts and progressing to fabric exploration and learning how to embellish already existing clothing items. Multiple sewing techniques will be covered while tweens create wearable art. Campers will have the opportunity to create their own fabric using dying techniques, sew a simple garment, and design and embellish their own t-shirt.
NEW! PAINTING WITH ACRYLICS (ages 10–12)
July 24–28, 10 AM–3 PM
NEW! Painting with Acrylics: Spend the whole week focusing on one medium. Teens will have both a morning and an afternoon session learning how to paint with acrylics. In this camp, teens will learn how to block in a composition and see it come to life as they add paint to their canvas. They will learn the fundamentals of painting, including brush techniques, how to create light and shadow, and color mixing. Teens will also learn how to handle the materials properly. Students should wear clothes that can get messy—acrylics don’t wash out of clothing!
HALF-DAY DIGITAL SUMMER ART CAMP: DIGITAL GRAPHIC DESIGN
July 24–28
Tweens (ages 10–12), 10 AM–12:15 PM
Teens (ages 13+), 12:45–3 PM
From cereal boxes to posters to social media, graphic design is everywhere. It is a way of communicating using line, shape, color, space, and more to share information and ideas through art. During this week of camp, campers will learn to think graphically by exploring page layout, typography, and marketing. The week will start by using traditional drawing skills to sketch out ideas, then campers will learn to translate their ideas to the computer using Adobe Photoshop.

Vivid Stage Summer Solos 2023 - Everything's Fine
2023-07-19 18:30 - 20:00 | NJ
The weekly solo reading series returns to the Art Center this summer! All tickets are $20 (advance sales only) and readings will be done on the lawn of the Art Center. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs, picnic, and/or snacks! Rain dates for all performances are the Thursday following the scheduled date.
Everything’s Fine by Douglas McGrath featuring Harry Patrick Christian and directed by Laura Ekstrand.
As Douglas McGrath remembers it, he had a pretty idyllic childhood. Growing up in Midland, Texas, in the 1970s, he rides his bike around town, hangs out with his best friend Eddie, and eats at Texas Burger every chance he gets. But once he starts eighth grade, his new teacher challenges his outlook on life and what he can expect from it. This moving, evocative memoir play explores how we grow up, how we understand each other, and how we offer grace to those who need it most.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Summer Art Camp: Week 5
2023-07-17 - 2023-07-21 | NJ
ANIMALS & WILDLIFE ART (ages 5–9) WAITLIST ONLY
July 17–21, 10 AM–3 PM
This week of camp is like taking a trip to the zoo, but so much more creative! Explore the exciting world of animals and their amazing habitats. Kids will create projects such as papier-mâché foxes, colored pencil fishbowls, and ironically colorful zebras.
WATERCOLOR EXPLORATION AND JEWELRY DESIGN (ages 10–12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 17–21, 10 AM–3 PM
Watercolor Exploration: Watercolor is a classic painting medium that builds upon drawing skills while also incorporating color theory. The foundations of watercolor painting and color mixing will be explored as tweens are introduced to a variety of techniques, including basic washes, layering of paints, and how to create strong compositions with the interplay of dark and light values.
Jewelry Design: Make wearable art! Tweens will experiment with jewelry-making techniques to create pendants and bracelets of their own original designs. After starting with a sketch, the instructor will guide tweens on using the best materials to create their vision. Projects may include, but are not limited to, wrapped wire pendants, polymer clay canes, and recycled paper beads.
FIBER SCULPTURE AND PAPERMAKING & MIXED MEDIA (ages 13+)
July 17–21, 10 AM–3 PM
Fiber Sculpture: Incorporate pattern and texture into sculpture through the use of fiber! Teens will learn to bring their ideas and sketches to life, creating anything from plushies to abstract sculptures! While basic sewing may be involved, teens will also explore other techniques to build their fiber sculptures. Pre-made patterns will be available, but with the guidance of their instructor, teens can also create their own templates for original designs.
Papermaking & Mixed Media: Open up a world of possibilities with mixed media. In this camp, teens will start by learning how to make paper and then use it as the basis of their mixed media project. They will learn techniques such as layering paper, mono-printing, and collage. Teens will have the choice to use interesting materials such as yarn, fabric, dried flowers, pages from old books, paint, and more to create their mixed media artwork.
HALF-DAY DIGITAL SUMMER ART CAMP: PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL PHOTO EDITING
July 17–21
Tweens (ages 10–12), 10 AM–12:15 PM
Teens (ages 13+), 12:45–3 PM
In this five-day camp, campers will learn how to analyze and speak about the images they see in their everyday lives. Campers will critically think and discuss the technical aspects of what comprises a meaningful photograph through artistic composition, framing, and form. By reinforcing photo vocabulary words, campers will as well have the opportunity to create their own original photographs both in the Art Center and on photo-walks throughout the neighborhood. The program will culminate with campers digitally editing their photographs for the purpose of sharing them with their fellow campers or through the creation of their own photobooks. Students will need to bring a digital Camera or smart Phone with a camera to this camp.

Vivid Stage Summer Solos 2023 - SNOW [Black man. White out conditions.]
2023-07-12 18:30 - 20:00 | NJ
DUE TO FORECASTED TEMPERATURE LEVELS, THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE OAKES CENTER, AT 120 MORRIS AVENUE IN SUMMIT.
The weekly solo reading series returns to the Art Center this summer! All tickets are $20 (advance sales only) and readings will be done on the lawn of the Art Center. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs, picnic, and/or snacks! Rain dates for all performances are the Thursday following the scheduled date.
SNOW [Black man. White out conditions.] by Steve Harper, featuring Steve Harper and directed by Cezar Williams. During a mid-pandemic drive from Reno to L.A. a freak snowstorm nearly turns deadly. Harrowing, absurd, thought-provoking, and funny, this confessional solo piece reveals sharp truths about modern life, death, and meaning.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Summer Semester Begins
2023-07-10 | NJ
Click here to register for summer semester classes!

Summer Art Camp: Week 4
2023-07-10 - 2023-07-14 | NJ
NEW! BUILDINGS & CITIES (ages 5–9) WAITLIST ONLY
July 10–14, 10 AM–3 PM
Join us for an ALL NEW week of art camp, where the projects are inspired by the architecture and buildings we see around us every day. Art projects will include medieval castle drawings, a Golden Gate Bridge collage, and a cityscape diorama.
ART JOURNALING AND COMICS, CARTOONS & ANIME (ages 10–12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 10–14, 10 AM–3 PM
Art Journaling: Art journaling is a wonderful habit for everyone, not just artists! Keeping a journal that contains one’s inspirations, frustrations, dreams, and fears is a way to creatively process everyday life. Tweens will make their own journal with simple bookbinding techniques and will fill its pages both inside and outside of camp. Tweens are encouraged to share their journaling journey during camp.
Comics, Cartoons & Anime: Calling all comic, cartoon, and anime lovers! Tweens will explore drawing popular characters and work on simple and effective techniques for creating their own character concepts. Master a unique style of creating cartoon, anime, and comic art.
HALF-DAY DIGITAL SUMMER ART CAMP: DIGITAL ARTS
July 10–14
Tweens (ages 10–12), 10 AM–12:15 PM
Teens (ages 13+), 12:45–3 PM
Dive into digital! In our fully-equipped digital lab, campers will use software to explore the concept of fine art in the digital realm. Campers will analyze elements of art and learn how to apply them to create digital art. This camp will also cover artistic concepts of composition and idea development.

Saturday Art Camp for Kids (ages 6–9)
2023-07-08 | NJ
Saturday Art Camp for Kids (ages 6–9)
10 AM–1 PM
Explore a variety of art media and creative themes over the course of six Saturdays. In each session, campers will create two projects. Featured project themes will include: Art Around America, Buildings & Cities, Animals & Wildlife Art, Appetite for Art, Art Around the World, and Art in Nature.
Six Sessions: July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12.
Tuition: $420 for all 6 weeks

Vivid Stage Summer Solos 2023 - Hissy Fits
2023-07-05 18:30 - 20:00 | NJ
The weekly solo reading series returns to the Art Center this summer! All tickets are $20 (advance sales only) and readings will be done on the lawn of the Art Center. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs, picnic, and/or snacks! Rain dates for all performances are the Thursday following the scheduled date.
Hissy Fits by Jerico Bleu featuring Emaline Williams and directed by Christopher Young introduces us to a mother fighting to understand her son as he blooms into his sexuality. We follow Leigha over the course of 30 years as she faces the challenges of raising a gay son in East Tennessee.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Summer Art Camp: Week 3
2023-07-05 - 2023-07-07 | NJ
ART AROUND AMERICA (3 DAYS) (ages 5–9)
July 5–7, 10 AM–3 PM
Celebrate Independence Day through artwork inspired by American artists and famous landmarks. During this patriotic week, we’ll make art projects such as dioramas of Yellowstone National Park and pastel projects inspired by American artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
WATERCOLOR EXPLORATION AND ESSENTIAL DRAWING TECHNIQUES (3 DAYS) (ages 10–12)
July 5–7, 10 AM–3 PM
Watercolor Exploration: Watercolor is a classic painting medium that builds upon drawing skills while also incorporating color theory. The foundations of watercolor painting and color mixing will be explored as tweens are introduced to a variety of techniques, including basic washes, layering of paints, and how to create strong compositions with the interplay of dark and light values.
Essential Drawing Techniques: This camp is perfect for the tween looking to develop the foundational skills of drawing. Tweens will strengthen their observational skills and gain familiarity with diverse media—such as graphite and charcoal—through various drawing projects and proven methods used by artistic giants like Andrew Loomis and Charles Bargue. Students will have a greater understanding of linear perspective and the structures of light and shadow as they are guided through their drawings.
PAINTING WITH PASTELS AND COMICS, CARTOONS & ANIME (3 DAYS) (ages 13+)
July 5–7, 10 AM–3 PM
Painting with Pastels: Pastel straddles the line between painting and drawing. During this camp, teens will be introduced to the essentials needed to draw and paint using pastels. This will include fundamentals such as drawing, light and shadow, composition, color theory, and basic perspective. Both still life and landscapes will be the subject matter for finished works of art.
Comics, Cartoons & Anime: Calling all comic, cartoon, and anime lovers! Teens will explore drawing popular characters and work on simple and effective techniques for creating their own character concepts. Master a unique style of creating cartoon, anime, and comic art.

Summer Art Camp: Week 2
2023-06-26 - 2023-06-30 | NJ
COMICS, CARTOONS & CHARACTERS (ages 5–9) WAITLIST ONLY
June 26–30, 10 AM–3 PM
Dive into the world of cartoons, comics, and popular characters in everyone’s favorite camp! Create super fun art projects of familiar friends, like printmaking inspired by characters from Where the Wild Things Are, ceramic trolls, and paintings of The Grinch.
ASSEMBLAGE AND ART JOURNALING (ages 10–12)
June 26–June 30, 10 AM–3 PM
Assemblage: Tweens will transform everyday items into expressive, personal sculptures! Imagine all the artistic possibilities in combining materials such as paper, plastic, clay, and wire with found objects. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, tweens will learn various techniques to manipulate materials and create one-of-a-kind sculptures.
Art Journaling: Art journaling is a wonderful habit for everyone, not just artists! Keeping a journal that contains one’s inspirations, frustrations, dreams, and fears is a way to creatively process everyday life. Tweens will make their own journal with simple bookbinding techniques and will fill its pages both inside and outside of camp. Tweens are encouraged to share their journaling journey during camp.
NEW! DRAWING WITH PEN & INK AND SCULPTURE TECHNIQUES (ages 13+)
June 26–June 30, 10 AM–3 PM
NEW! Drawing with Pen & Ink: From quick sketches to detailed drawings, this camp will teach teens the tricks and techniques of pen and ink! Teens will explore techniques such as loose sketching, cross-hatching, and stippling as they learn how to create contrast and texture with ink. Teens will also learn to create softer drawings using ink and a brush. Some basic drawing skills will also be covered.
Sculpture Techniques: Create art in the round! Teens will go beyond hand-building—they will learn more advanced techniques to refine and build their sculptures. Campers will work with a variety of sculpture materials and tools to complete a 3D sculpture during this camp.

Summer Art Camp: Week 1
2023-06-19 - 2023-06-23 | NJ
SUMMER SAMPLER (ages 5–9) WAITLIST ONLY
June 19–23, 10 AM–3 PM
Try it all! Summer Sampler includes at least one art project from each upcoming camp theme, plus a few inspired by classic summer pastimes. Projects will not be repeated later in the summer should your camper be lucky enough to join us for multiple weeks.
PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUES AND SCULPTURE TECHNIQUES (ages 10–12)
June 19–23, 10 AM–3 PM
Printmaking Techniques: In this unique camp, tweens will create their own limited-edition prints while learning various techniques, styles, and tools of printmaking through demonstrations and hands-on practice. This camp will cover techniques including plexiglass drypoint and mono-printing as tweens create original prints that are either one-of-a-kind or editionable.
Sculpture Techniques: Create art in the round! Tweens will go beyond hand-building to learn more advanced techniques to refine and build their sculptures. Campers will work with a variety of sculpture materials and tools to complete a 3D sculpture during this camp.
EVERYTHING CLAY AND ESSENTIAL DRAWING & PAINTING TECHNIQUES (ages 13+)
June 19–23, 10 AM–3 PM
Everything Clay: This camp is perfect for the teen looking to explore various types of clay. During the week, teens will get to use the pottery wheel to throw and embellish a functional ceramic piece that will be glazed and fired in the kiln. Teens will also learn the techniques for working with paper clay, from building an armature to give the clay structure to decorating their creations using paint, decoupage, or other materials. Finally, teens will explore polymer clay by making everyday objects in miniature.
Essential Drawing & Painting Techniques: This camp is perfect for the teen looking to develop the foundational skills of drawing and painting. Teens will use their observational skills and gain familiarity with diverse media (such as graphite, charcoal, acrylics, and watercolors) through drawing exercises that may include gesture drawings, blind contours, and contour drawings. Linear perspective, color theory, and building form with light and shadow will also be covered as teens render their artistic creations.

Members Art Show & Collectors Week Exhibition Opening
2023-06-16 18:00 - 20:30 | NJ
The Members Committee is excited to announce the Members Art Show & Collectors Week! This exhibition is a celebration of art made by our members and will open on Friday, June 16, from 6–8:30 PM, with an awards presentation at 7:30 PM.
