Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

MLK, Jr. Day of Justice, Equality, and Service
2023-01-16 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will participate again in Summit’s 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Justice, Equality, and Service to Others on January 16, 2023. All ages and families are welcome to come to the Art Center from 1-4 PM to make a thank you card. The cards will be mailed to organizations that do social justice work in New Jersey.
All materials and supplies will be provided. VACNJ teaching artist and art therapist Megan Tuttle will be there to assist with materials and ideas.
Click here to register for this FREE event!

Winter Semester Begins
2023-01-09
VACNJ’s winter semester begins on Monday, January 9. Click here for more information and to register.

Members’ Shows Opening: Tracey Luckner and Annette Kushen
2023-01-08 14:00 - 16:00
Join us in our second-floor community galleries as we celebrate the opening of our newest members’ shows Tracey Luckner: Abstract Landscapes—Wayfinding, on display in the Marité & Joe Robinson Strolling Gallery II, and Annette Kushen: Abstracted Illusions on display in Ann’s Place Gallery.

"Ripple Effect" Last Look
2023-01-08 14:00 - 16:00
Join us on Sunday, January 8, from 2-4 PM for a last look at our fall exhibition Ripple Effect, and an informal conversation with exhibiting artists Donna Conklin King, Chris Lopez, Martha McDonald, Drew Maillard, and Katie Truk. This event is free and open to the public, so don’t miss out. Get one last look at the show that kicked off our 90th Anniversary celebration!

Winter Break Workshops for Adults
2023-01-03 - 2023-01-08
5615 Torch Enameling
Instructor: Sue Sachs
Torch enameling is a fantastic way to add vibrant colors to your copper or fine silver pieces without the need for a kiln. In this fun and direct process, watch enamels transform from powder to colorful glass as your piece changes temperature with heat from a torch. Different techniques of torch enameling will be discussed, as well as methods for setting finished pieces. No experience necessary.
Tuesday, 1/3, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $115, Materials fee: $35
5616 Pastel Pet Portraits
Instructor: Amanda Ciurciu
Calling all animal lovers! Learn the skills that it takes to capture your animal companions using an incredibly versatile medium: pastels. Following demonstrations, you will be given an in-depth education on all the aspects of rendering a variety of animals including, but not limited to, how to pick colors from reference image; the importance of color theory; and how to create texture with layering. By the end of this session, you will have all the skills it takes to create pastel masterpieces of beloved animals or even your own pet.
Wednesday, 1/4, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $115
5650 NEW! Introduction to Gouache
Instructor: Amanda Ciurciu
Learn how to paint with a vibrant, versatile, water-based medium: gouache! This workshop will introduce students to the fundamental techniques of working with gouache while encouraging them to be as creative as possible.
Thursday, 1/5, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $115, Materials fee: $35
5609 Lampworked Glass Beads
Instructor: Stephanie Maddalena
Visit Venice without leaving the studio with this popular workshop! Learn to make beautiful Venetian-glass beads using glass rods and a hand-held torch.
Saturday & Sunday, 1/7 & 1/8, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $225, Materials fee: $65
5614 NEW! Practical Color Theory
Instructor: Sandy Ruda
Expand your knowledge of color theory and become a more confident painter! Learn about color schemes and gain hands-on practice with color mixing. Terms such as hue, value, saturation, and temperature will be discussed as they relate to painting. Through demonstrated step-by-step exercises we will put all of these concepts into practice as we study the most common problems artists face when choosing and mixing colors. Although we will be working with acrylic paints in this workshop, artists of any color medium such as oils, pastels, colored pencil, and watercolor will benefit from what is covered.
Saturday, 1/7, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $95, Materials fee: $35
5652 NEW! Painting the Colors of Winter in Watercolor
Instructor: Mark de Mos
Creating a successful winter scene in watercolor is an exercise in both visual observation and careful color application. The whites in a snow scene are in reality very colorful, as the snow reflects the light source and other objects, while also allowing for shadows of varying shades and tints. This workshop will cover the basics of creating snow scenes from your own reference photos— photos can be snow-free and the instructor will demonstrate how to add snow to the scene! An optional technique to replicate falling snow using gouache will also be covered.
Sunday, 1/8, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $115

Winter Break Workshops for Kids & Tweens
2022-12-27 - 2022-12-29
Give the kid or tween in your life the gift of creativity this winter season! In each session, young artists will learn a variety of art techniques while creating fun winter-themed projects.
Clay Snowmen Sculptures (ages 6–9)
Tuesday, December 27, 10–11:30 AM
Penguins in Paint and Pastel (ages 10–13)
Tuesday, December 27, 10–11:30 AM
Snowy Day Painting (ages 6–9)
Wednesday, December 28, 10–11:30 AM
Clay Treasure Boxes (ages 10–13)
Wednesday, December 28, 10–11:30 AM
Bejeweled Holiday Tree (ages 6–11)
AM Session: Thursday, December 29, 10 AM–12 PM
PM Session: Thursday, December 29, 1–3 PM
Winter Bird House Mixed Media (ages 10–13)
Thursday, December 29, 10–11:30 AM

SAVE THE DATE: Summer Art Camp Registration Opens
2022-12-19
SAVE THE DATE
Early-Bird registration for Summer Art Camp opens on Monday, December 19. More details to come!

Fall 2022 Road Trip
2022-11-03 09:00 - 17:00
Join us for a road trip to this gem in the Hudson Valley! Departing from the Art Center at 9, we’ll enjoy a morning visit to the Hessel Museum of Art at Bard College, and then head over for lunch at Savona’s Trattoria + Bar in Kingston followed by a visit to the Center for Photography at Woodstock. Click here to register.
THE HESSEL MUSEUM OF ART
The Hessel Museum of Art, built in 2006, presents experimental group exhibitions and monographic shows, and also draws from the Marieluise Hessel Collection of Contemporary Art, comprised of more than 3,000 objects collected contemporaneously from the 1960s to the present day. The current exhibitions are Dara Birnbaum: Reaction and Martine Syms: Grio College.
CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AT WOODSTOCK
A non-profit organization newly located in Kingston, NY, The Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW) has provided direct support to artists for over 40 years. CPW’s programs include exhibitions, residencies, workshops, a digital workspace for the public, and more. The featured exhibition is Of Objects and Shadows / De Objetos y Sombras.
If you have any questions, please contact Annel Montero-Mitchell at amontero@artcenternj.org, or 908.273.9121, ext. 241.

Dikra Gem Sale
2022-11-01 19:00 - 22:00 | 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 return to the Art Center on Tuesday, November 1, 7–10 PM, to offer their collection of faceted and cabochon stones, beads, pearls, and more for purchase. Add the perfect finishing touch to a piece or spark inspiration for a new one. Don’t miss out—join us on November 1!

Members’ Shows Opening: Teena Soni and Michael Wolf
2022-10-22 15:30 - 17:00
Join us in our second-floor community galleries as we celebrate the opening of our newest members’ shows Teena Soni: Lotus – Awakening the Chakra, on display in the Marité & Joe Robinson Strolling Gallery II, and Michael Wolf: Sanctuary (in Fairyland) on display in Ann’s Place Gallery.

Observing Observation: The Role of Environment in Art Making
2022-10-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Observing Observation: The Role of Environment in Art Making
Whether it is a natural environment or an urban/built environment, the process of artists leaving their traditional studio and entering the “real” world to create has a long and ongoing history. What role does the artist play as observer and chronicler? This discussion will unpack these ideas and panelists will include both artists in the current exhibition Ripple Effect and panelists in other fields. Click here to register for this free event, which will take place on Saturday, October 22, from 2-3:30 PM.

Panelists
Eileen Ferara is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose work is focused on the human relationship to the environment. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, she uses printmaking, painting, paper making, drawing, and sculpture to create art based on observation, research, and imagination.
Valeri Larko is best known for her densely painted landscapes of the urban fringe, all of which she paints on location. She is attracted to the decaying and abandoned buildings, aging infrastructure, industrial sites, and urban waterways that populated the outskirts of America’s urban centers and the stories these places tell about contemporary life and culture. Larko started painting urban landscapes on site when she moved to Jersey City shortly after finishing art school. In 2004 she moved to New York, where she continues to explore and paint the ordinary and overlooked environs of the outer boroughs of New York City. A large painting can take the artist 2-3 months to complete on site. Due to the changing light, Larko works on one painting in the morning and a second one in the afternoon. In winter she paints small canvases from the relative comfort of her car. Larko has been painting in this manner for over three decades.
Duane Lutsko has an MFA in Painting from Brooklyn College and a BA in Fine Arts from UCLA. Lutsko has received numerous grants and fellowships including: a Fulbright Fellowship to Italy, a Residency Grant at the Vermont Studio Center, Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Grant, and a Prince Georges County Council Individual Artists Grant. Lutsko has taught with the Open Studies Department of the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD, since 2001. Duane was Art Department Chair for 11 years during his 25 years teaching in Baltimore County Public Schools. Duane currently lives in northern New Jersey with his wife Amy. He is a certified FAA pilot and is dedicated to the agency of Gestalt phenomena, psychology, neuroscience, and all things Italian.

Raku-Fest Fall 2022
2022-10-22 10:00 - 2022-10-23 16:00
Raku-Fest at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
Saturday, October 22 & Sunday, October 23, 10 AM–4 PM
Raku-Fest showcases a 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 the day. To help control crowding, admission is available for either morning (10 AM–12:30 PM) or afternoon (1:30–4 PM) on both days. Attendees may arrive 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 (SOLD OUT)
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. Items available for purchase and glazing include: jewelry pieces, plates, and pots of varying sizes. Walk-ins on the day of the event will be available only if capacity allows.

Art to Table
2022-10-19 11:00 - 13:30 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Art to Table returns to the Art Center! This signature event, created for art- and food-lovers alike, features an intimate, small group tour of our new fall exhibition with new Director of Exhibitions Kristen Evangelista followed by a prix fixe lunch at Summit House Restaurant +Bar. Get an up-close look at Ripple Effect, the kickoff to our year-long celebration of the Art Center’s 90th Anniversary which showcases the work of 37 of our teaching artists.
Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

Self-Expression Through Art: A Workshop for Teens
2022-10-17 16:00 - 17:30 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Trying to balance it all as a teen can feel overwhelming, and at times, difficult to put into words. Using art as a tool for expression can help to identify, manage, and cope with various sources of stress and anxiety. Come join art therapist Megan Tuttle in a safe space to create and have an open and honest conversation! After graduating with her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Art Therapy, Megan began working with teens as a Behavioral Health Counselor and eventually began working with various populations providing art classes and art therapy. In all of her programs, she strives to create an environment that promotes a sense of freedom and self-discovery where there is no such thing as a “bad” emotion.
This workshop will take place on Monday, October 17, from 4–5:30 PM at a cost of $15. Click here to register!

Self-Expression Through Art: A Workshop for Teens
2022-10-03 16:00 - 17:30 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Trying to balance it all as a teen can feel overwhelming, and at times, difficult to put into words. Using art as a tool for expression can help to identify, manage, and cope with various sources of stress and anxiety. Come join art therapist Megan Tuttle in a safe space to create and have an open and honest conversation! After graduating with her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Art Therapy, Megan began working with teens as a Behavioral Health Counselor and eventually began working with various populations providing art classes and art therapy. In all of her programs, she strives to create an environment that promotes a sense of freedom and self-discovery where there is no such thing as a “bad” emotion.
This workshop will take place on Monday, October 3, from 4–5:30 PM at a cost of $15. Click here to register!

Panel Discussion: The Narrative Impulse
2022-09-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Join us on Saturday, September 24, from 2–3:30 PM at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey for Narrative Impulse, a panel discussion held in conjunction with our fall exhibition Ripple Effect. The exhibition, which features artwork by 37 of the Art Center’s teaching artists, explores three themes—abstract works, works exploring natural and built environments, and works that plumb the space between the imagined and the real. The discussion will explore the relationship between creation and the narrative. Click here to register for this FREE event!

Newcomers & Neighbors Party
2022-09-22
Join us on Thursday, September 22 at 6 PM at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey for our first annual Newcomers & Neighbors Party!

In partnership with the Mayor’s Forum on Diversity, the Art Center is opening its doors to welcome our Summit neighbors, new and old! This get-together is a great way to meet new neighbors for a night of music and refreshments while taking in the Art Center’s latest exhibitions.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER TODAY!
Star Business Sponsors

Local Business Sponsors
Cambridge Wines
Duxiana
Frames for You
Joanne Freeman-Keller Williams Realty & Jon Lamkin-Guaranteed Rate
The Oldendorp Group
Non-Profit Partners
Bridges Outreach
Christian Science Reading Room
The Connection
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Summit Area YMCA
Summit Public Library

Arts + Cars 2022
2022-09-18 10:00 - 17:00

Fall Exhibition Opening - Ripple Effect
2022-09-16
The Art Center’s Fall Exhibition Ripple Effect opens on September 16 and features artwork from 37 members of the Art Center’s teaching artists. For more information, click here.

Summer Art Camp: Week 10
2022-08-22 - 2022-08-26
Mini Masters (ages 5-9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 22–26, 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 use pastel to paint colorful haystacks inspired by Monet and sculpt ceramic pumpkins like those made famous by Yayoi Kusama.
Comic Book Illustration and Watercolor Exploration (ages 10-12)
August 22–26, 10 AM–3 PM
Comic Book Illustration: Tweens will imagine and bring to life their own comic book characters! Campers will learn different illustration techniques and styles to help them create an expressive and unique cast of characters and, once designed, they will create a comic strip featuring their newly imagined cast.
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.
Photography & Digital Photo Editing (ages 10-12)
August 22–26, 10 AM–12:15 PM
Capture and edit images to create expressive photographs. Tweens will learn the basic concepts of photography, experimenting with light, composition, depth of field, and more. Tweens will gain an understanding of how to use a digital camera and will spend time in the digital lab editing their photographs. Students will need to bring a digital camera or smartphone with a camera for this camp. They must also have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.
Assemblage and Essential Drawing & Painting Techniques (ages 13+)
August 22–26, 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.
Photography & Digital Photo Editing (ages 13+)
August 22–26, 12:45–3 PM
Capture and edit images to create expressive photographs. Teens will learn the basic concepts of photography, experimenting with light, composition, depth of field, and more. Teens will gain an understanding of how to use a digital camera and will spend time in the digital lab editing their photographs. Students will need to bring a digital camera or smartphone with a camera for this course. They must also have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.

Summer Art Camp: Week 9
2022-08-15 - 2022-08-19
NEW! Out of this World! (ages 5-9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 15–19, 10 AM–3 PM
Art is the star of this ALL-NEW week of camp, featuring projects inspired by outer space. Kids will create projects that are truly out-of-this-world, such as moon prints, ceramic aliens, and pastel galaxy paintings.
Assemblage and Essential Drawing & Painting Techniques (ages 10-12) WAITLIST ONLY
August 15–19, 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, 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.
Photography & Digital Photo Editing (ages 10-12)
August 15–19, 10 AM–12:15 PM
Capture and edit images to create expressive photographs. Tweens will learn the basic concepts of photography, experimenting with light, composition, depth of field, and more. Tweens will gain an understanding of how to use a digital camera and will spend time in the digital lab editing their photographs. Students will need to bring a digital camera or smartphone with a camera for this camp. They must also have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.
NEW! Fiber Arts and Papermaking & Mixed Media (ages 13+)
August 15–19, 10 AM–3 PM
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!
NEW! 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.
Photography & Digital Photo Editing (ages 13+)
August 15–19, 12:45–3 PM
Capture and edit images to create expressive photographs. Teens will learn the basic concepts of photography, experimenting with light, composition, depth of field, and more. Teens will gain an understanding of how to use a digital camera and will spend time in the digital lab editing their photographs. Students will need to bring a digital camera or smartphone with a camera for this course. They must also have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.

Summer Art Camp: Week 8
2022-08-08 - 2022-08-13
Color Explosion (ages 5-9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 8–12, 10 AM–3 PM
Explore color! This camp introduces kids to the bold pop-art movement and other ways in which vibrant colors can be used in artwork. Kids will create projects that play with the use of colors, such as sparkling gemstone paintings and color wheel character collages.
Saturday Art Camp for Kids (ages 6–9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 13, 10 AM–1 PM
Explore a variety of art media and creative themes over the course of six Saturdays. On each date, campers will create two projects. Featured project themes will include Comics, Cartoons & Characters; Art on the Move; Animals & Wildlife Art; Appetite for Art; Art Around the World; and Color Explosion.
Painting with Pastels and Graffiti (ages 10-12) WAITLIST ONLY
August 8–12, 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 incorporated to create finished works of art.
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.

Photography & Digital Photo Editing (ages 10-12)
August 8–12, 10 AM–12:15 PM
Capture and edit images to create expressive photographs. Tweens will learn the basic concepts of photography, experimenting with light, composition, depth of field, and more. Tweens will gain an understanding of how to use a digital camera and will spend time in the digital lab editing their photographs. Students will need to bring a digital camera or smartphone with a camera for this camp. They must also have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.

NEW! Graphic Arts and Cardboard Creations (ages 13+)
August 8-12, 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!
NEW! Cardboard Creations: During this week of camp, teens will explore their creativity by using cardboard to create unique sculptures and structures. Campers will work with cardboard to form creative sculptures using repurposed cardboard and other found materials. Cardboard can be repurposed into buildings, musical instruments, animals, and more.

Photography & Digital Photo Editing (ages 13+)
August 8–12, 12:45–3 PM
Capture and edit images to create expressive photographs. Teens will learn the basic concepts of photography, experimenting with light, composition, depth of field, and more. Teens will gain an understanding of how to use a digital camera and will spend time in the digital lab editing their photographs. Students will need to bring a digital camera or smartphone with a camera for this course. They must also have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.

Summer Art Camp: Week 7
2022-08-01 - 2022-08-06
Art Around the World (ages 5-9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 1–5, 10 AM–3 PM
Pack your bags! Kids will “travel” the world and learn how different cultures create art. Make a print featuring Big Ben, draw geometric Middle Eastern-inspired tiles, and create a collage of South African Ndebele houses. Your camper will become fluent in the universal language of art!
Saturday Art Camp for Kids (ages 6–9) WAITLIST ONLY
August 6, 10 AM–1 PM
Explore a variety of art media and creative themes over the course of six Saturdays. On each date, campers will create two projects. Featured project themes will include Comics, Cartoons & Characters; Art on the Move; Animals & Wildlife Art; Appetite for Art; Art Around the World; and Color Explosion.
NEW! Everything Clay & Drawing Portraits (ages 10-12) WAITLIST ONLY
August 1–5, 10 AM–3 PM
NEW! 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 ways to decorate their creations using paint, decoupage, or other materials. Finally, tweens will explore polymer clay by making everyday objects in miniature.
Drawing Portraits: Take observational drawing skills to the next level! Tweens will draw directly from a life portrait model, 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.
NEW! Digital Graphic Design (ages 10-12) WAITLIST ONLY
August 1–5, 10 AM–12:15 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, tweens 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 tweens will learn to translate their ideas to the computer using Adobe Photoshop. Students must have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.
Fiber Sculpture and Art Journaling (ages 13+)
August 1–5, 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.
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. Teens will make their own journal with simple bookbinding techniques and will fill its pages both inside and outside of camp. We’ll also encourage teens to share their journaling journey during camp.
NEW! Digital Graphic Design (ages 13+)
August 1–5, 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, tweens 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 tweens will learn to translate their ideas to the computer using Adobe Photoshop. Students must have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.

Vivid Stage Summer Solos 2022 – Bible Adventure Park
2022-07-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Bible Adventure Park by Erin Mallon
Tickets: $20
In this unorthodox adventure, a 17-year-old tour guide, Muriel, leads the audience on an immersive journey at a religious theme park. Audience members become the guests on the tour as they experience all the park’s adventures inspired by stories from the Bible in what will be an alternately fun and disturbing ride.
Featuring: Emaline Williams

Summer Art Camp: Week 6
2022-07-25 - 2022-07-30
Appetite for Art (ages 5-9) WAITLIST ONLY
July 25–29, 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 creating projects like a clay sculpture of a stack of pancakes with syrup and an illustration of spaghetti and meatballs.
Saturday Art Camp for Kids (ages 6–9) WAITLIST ONLY
July 30, 10 AM–1 PM
Explore a variety of art media and creative themes over the course of six Saturdays. On each date, campers will create two projects. Featured project themes will include Comics, Cartoons & Characters; Art on the Move; Animals & Wildlife Art; Appetite for Art; Art Around the World; and Color Explosion.
NEW! Graphic Novel & Webcomics and Art Journaling (ages 10-12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 25–29, 10 AM–3 PM
NEW! 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.
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. We’ll also encourage tweens to share their journaling journey during camp.
Digital Arts (ages 10-12)
July 25–29, 10 AM–12:15 PM
Dive into digital! In our fully-equipped digital lab, tweens will use software to explore the concept of fine art in the digital realm. Tweens 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. Students must have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.
Screen Printing and Painting with Pastels (ages 13+)
July 25–29, 10 AM–3 PM
Screen Printing: Create amazing screen prints! Teens will learn basic screen-printing techniques, from image-making, screen, and material preparation, to the use of screen-printing as a creative outlet, including mono-printing and edition printing. Campers will develop prints on paper while experimenting with the possibilities of screen printing.
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 incorporated to create finished works of art.
Digital Arts (ages 13+)
July 25–29, 12:45–3 PM
Dive into digital! In our fully-equipped digital lab, teens will use software to explore the concept of fine art in the digital realm. Teens 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. Students must have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.

Vivid Stage Summer Solos 2022 – Polar Bears (NEW LOCATION 7/20 ONLY)
2022-07-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Oakes Center, 120 Morris Ave, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Polar Bears by David Templeton
Tickets: $20
UPDATE 7/19: This week’s Vivid Stage Summer Solo will be held at 6:30 PM at the Oakes Center due to the anticipated high temperatures.
A father, sorting through boxes in his attic at Christmas time, spontaneously recalls one whopper of a true story (based on the playwright’s life), involving his lifetime obsession with Santa Claus, his desperate attempts to keep his kids believing after a tragedy strikes his family, and his realization that sometimes lies, even those told in love, can backfire in unpredictable ways.
Featuring: Scott McGowan

Summer Art Camp: Week 5
2022-07-18 - 2022-07-23
Animals & Wildlife Art (ages 5-9) WAITLIST ONLY
July 18–22, 10 AM–3 PM
This week of camp is like taking a trip to the zoo, but way more creative! Explore the exciting world of animals and their amazing habitats. Kids will create projects such as papier-mâché squirrels and wild crocodiles in watercolor.
Saturday Art Camp for Kids (ages 6–9) WAITLIST ONLY
July 23, 10 AM–1 PM
Explore a variety of art media and creative themes over the course of six Saturdays. On each date, campers will create two projects. Featured project themes will include Comics, Cartoons & Characters; Art on the Move; Animals & Wildlife Art; Appetite for Art; Art Around the World; and Color Explosion.
Printmaking Techniques and Jewelry Design (ages 10-12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 18–22, 10 AM–3 PM
Printmaking Techniques: In this unique camp, tweens will create their own limited-edition prints on our professional presses. Tweens will learn 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!
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.
Digital Arts (ages 10–12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 18–22, 10 AM–12:15 PM
This camp offering is perfect for campers looking to expand their skills in the ever-evolving field of digital arts. This small-group camp will take place in our socially-distanced and sanitized digital arts studio. Due to the limited nature of this camp, each week will be repeated to accommodate more students.
NEW! Everything Clay and Painting with Acrylics (ages 13+)
July 18–22, 10 AM–3 PM
NEW! 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 ways to decorate their creations using paint, decoupage, or other materials. Finally, teens will explore polymer clay by making everyday objects in miniature.
NEW! Painting with Acrylics: Learn the basics of painting with acrylics! 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 clothes!
Digital Arts (ages 13+)
July 18–22, 12:45–3 PM
Dive into digital! In our fully-equipped digital lab, teens will use software to explore the concept of fine art in the digital realm. Teens 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. Students must have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.

Vivid Stage Summer Solos 2022 – Hopper
2022-07-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Hopper by John Maclay
Tickets: $20
A storyteller arrives to tell a story about a one-legged girl, true love, and a virus. It’s an unusual ride filled with humor, heart, and tragedy. The right play for right now.
Featuring: Daria M. Sullivan

Summer Art Camp: Week 4
2022-07-11 - 2022-07-16
NEW! Art on the Move (ages 5-9)
July 11–15, 10 AM–3 PM
Let’s go! Join us for an ALL-NEW week of art camp, where the projects are inspired by things that move. Art projects will include papier-mâché tugboat sculptures, airplane paintings, and school bus collages.
Saturday Art Camp for Kids (ages 6–9) WAITLIST ONLY
July 16, 10 AM–1 PM
Explore a variety of art media and creative themes over the course of six Saturdays. On each date, campers will create two projects. Featured project themes will include Comics, Cartoons & Characters; Art on the Move; Animals & Wildlife Art; Appetite for Art; Art Around the World; and Color Explosion.
Experimental Fashion and Watercolor Exploration (ages 10-12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 11–15, 10 AM–3 PM
Experimental Fashion: Create fashion! Tweens will explore traditional and non-traditional fashion design including sketching concepts and bringing them to fruition, making anything from everyday clothing items to cosplay. Multiple sewing and fabricating techniques will be covered while tweens create wearable art. Students will also have the opportunity to design their own t-shirt during this week of camp.
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.
Digital Arts (ages 10-12) WAITLIST ONLY
July 11–15, 10 AM–12:15 PM
Dive into digital! In our fully-equipped digital lab, tweens will use software to explore the concept of fine art in the digital realm. Tweens 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. Students must have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.
NEW! Everything Clay and Soft Sculpture (ages 13+)
July 11–15, 10 AM–3 PM
NEW! 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 ways to decorate their creations using paint, decoupage, or other materials. Finally, teens will explore polymer clay by making everyday objects in miniature.
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. Teens will create several projects ranging in scale over the course of the week.
Digital Arts (ages 13+) WAITLIST ONLY
July 11–15, 12:45–3 PM
Dive into digital! In our fully-equipped digital lab, teens will use software to explore the concept of fine art in the digital realm. Teens 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. Students must have a portable storage device, such as a thumb drive, for saving their progress in class.

Vivid Stage Summer Solos 2022 - Accidentally Brave
2022-07-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Accidentally Brave by Maddie Corman
Tickets: $20
Courageous, daring, and unflinchingly honest, Accidentally Brave is an inspiring true story about discovering a new normal when the familiar world falls apart, a must-see examination of what it means to navigate a world with no certainty. Maddie Corman’s profoundly personal play challenges perceptions, captivates audiences, and sparks an emotionally charged discussion that will leave you wondering: “What would I do?”
Featuring: Harriett Trangucci
