Evening with an Artist with Elana Herzog
2023-10-05 18:30 - 21:00 UTC | 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.

Self Expression Through Art - A Workshop for Teens
2023-10-09 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-10-23 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.

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.

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!

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!

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

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.

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!

Self Expression Through Art - A Workshop for Teens
2023-11-06 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-11-13 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-11-27 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 Rachel Aponte, Director of Education & Community Engagement, at raponte@artcenternj.org.

Winter Semester Registration Opens
2023-11-13 | NJ
Registration for VACNJ’s winter semester opens on Monday, November 13. Click here to see all that’s available during our winter semester.

Winter Break Workshops for Kids & Tweens
2023-12-26 10:00 - 2023-12-28 14:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
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. All art supplies are included.
Tuesday, December 26 from 10–11:30 AM
Clay Grinch Ornaments (ages 6–9)
Winter Zentangle Paintings (ages 10–13)
Wednesday, December 27 from 10–11:30 AM
Winter Fox Paintings (ages 6–9)
Clay Houses (ages 10–13)
Thursday, December 28 from 10–11:30 AM
Mixed Media 3D Hot Chocolate Mugs (ages 6–9)
Mixed Media Snowflakes (ages 10–13)
Thursday, December 28 from 12–2 PM
Bejeweled Snowman (ages 6–11)

Adult Winter Break Workshops
2024-01-02 10:00 - 2024-01-07 14:00 | NJ
6677 Monotype Printmaking
Instructor: Kristian Battell
In this one-day workshop, students will explore the multitudes of monotype printmaking on the press. Students will learn the classic painterly method, how to monoprint using stencils, and how to successfully layer two plates to create one image. Class time will be spent learning the technical processes with open press time after demonstrations. Some materials provided.
Tuesday, 1/2, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $130
Materials fee: $45
6678 Magical Mandalas
Instructor: Kat Block
In this one-day workshop, students will make small jewel-like mandalas using patterned papers and yoga designs such as hamsas, meditators, trees, and flowers. The goal is for students to enjoy creating art while feeling relaxed and inspired.
Tuesday, 1/2, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $105
Materials fee: $28
6681 Wheel Throwing Boot Camp
Instructor: Anthea Brown
Don’t let those throwing skills get rusty! Come enjoy three days of throwing and consecutive studio time before the winter semester starts! The instructor will provide demonstrations for projects, but students are also welcome to bring their own ideas. Students can purchase open studio time offered at the end of the week or during the semester if they would like to finish their pieces. Materials fee covers the firing & studio usage. Clay will need to be purchased the first day of the workshop.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 1/2–1/4, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $250
Materials fee: $25
6679 Painting from Still Lifes
Instructor: Mary Jean Canziani
In this one-day workshop, students will learn how to incorporate light and shadow and recognize basic shapes when painting the still life set up by the instructor. Students will make their own sketches to design compositions for their painting and then draw them on their canvas. Individual instruction will be given depending on the student’s skill level and experience.
Wednesday, 1/3, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $130
Materials fee: $35
6680 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 is necessary.
Thursday, 1/4, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $130
Materials fee: $35
6742 Painting with Wool: Needle Felting a Winter Landscape
Instructor: Martha McDonald
Create a beautiful and unique winter wonderland scene entirely made of wool! Through demonstrations and step-by-step instruction, students will learn about the versatility of this medium by transforming colorful wool roving into amazing textured art. Students will be encouraged to use their own ideas and leave with a completed felted canvas.
Sunday, 1/7, 10 AM–2 PM
Tuition: $105
Materials Fee: $30

Winter Semester Begins
2024-01-08 | NJ

MLK Day at the Art Center
2024-01-15 12:30 - 14:30 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
All ages and families are welcome to make thank you cards at the Art Center on Monday, January 15, from 12:30–2:30 PM in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The cards created will be mailed to hospital workers in New Jersey and all materials and supplies will be provided by the Art Center.

NJ Kids Camp Fair
2024-01-20 12:00 - 15:00 | NJ
Join NJ Kids at VACNJ on Saturday, January 20 to visit with more than 25 summer camps, including Summer Art Camp at the Art Center! RSVP for this FREE event at www.njkidsonline.com/camp-fairs to let NJ Kids know you’re attending and you’ll receive a free gift at the fair.

Last Look and Poetry Reading
2024-02-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Join us for the closing of our fall exhibitions on Sunday, February 4, from 2–4 PM. The afternoon will begin with a reading from poet, Brenda Coultas, who will read pieces inspired by Elana Herzog’s works featured in the Main Gallery show in Ripped, Tangled, and Frayed. Following the reading, there will be an informal talk and closing reception with exhibiting artists Herzog, Sandra Eula Lee, and Samanta Batra Mehta.

Spring Semester Pre-Registration
2024-02-12 - 2024-02-25 | NJ
VACNJ members get access to early registration for all Studio School classes and spring semester pre-registration opens on Monday, February 12. 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 February 25.
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 February 26.
*Discount does not apply to workshops. Discount available for in-person or phone pre-registrations only.

Summer Art Camp Early-Bird Deadline
2024-02-19 | NJ
Register by the end of day today, February 19, and get the lowest price of the year for Summer Art Camp at the Art Center. Click here to see all that’s available!

Spring Break 2024 Half-Day Art Camp for Kids & Tweens
2024-03-25 - 2024-03-29 | NJ
Join us for a special small group Spring Break Art Camp for kids ages 6–9 and tweens ages 10–12! At the Art Center, young artists will learn from our talented teaching artists, create unique art projects, and socialize with friends. This half-day camp (morning session for kids and afternoon session for tweens) will feature art-making in a small group environment. Please send campers with a water bottle and snack only (there will not be a lunch period) and in clothes that can get messy.

6751 2024 Half-Day Spring Break Art Camp for Kids (ages 6–9)
Monday – Friday, 9 AM–12 PM
5 sessions: 3/25–3/29
Tuition: $375
Daily Schedule
Drop off: 8:45–9 AM
Artmaking sessions: 9 AM–12 PM
Pick up: 12–12:15 PM.

6752 2024 Half-Day Spring Break Art Camp for Tweens (ages 10–12)
Monday – Friday, 1–4 PM
5 sessions: 3/25–3/29
Tuition: $375
Daily Schedule
Drop off: 12:45–1 PM
Artmaking sessions: 1–4 PM
Pick-up: 4–4:15 PM.

Spring Semester Begins
2024-04-01 | NJ
The Art Center’s spring semester begins on April 1. Registration will open to the public on Monday. March 26.

Self-Expression Through Art: A Workshop for Teens
2024-04-08 15:30 - 17:00 | 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 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.
Classes will take place on Mondays, from 3:30–5 PM, 4/8–5/20 (no classes on 4/22 and 4/29).
Click Here To Register
Scholarships are available for eligible candidates. For more information please reach out to Rachel Aponte, Director of Education & Community Engagement at raponte@artcenternj.org.

Garden State Art Weekend
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-21 | NJ
Garden State Art Weekend is a one-of-a-kind, state-wide celebration of art in New Jersey. The mission is to create an inclusive, once-a-year art weekend for all to enjoy, inspired by Upstate Art Weekend in New York. For more information, visit gardenstateartweekend.org.

Positive Space: Bid In Our Gala Auction!
2024-04-27 | NJ
SAVE THE DATE
Positive Space: VACNJ’s 2024 Annual Spring Gala
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Canoe Brook County Club
CLICK HERE TO BID IN OUR GALA AUCTION

Teacher's Professional Development Symposium - Plein Air Painting
2024-05-02 09:00 - 15:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Plein Air Painting
This symposium is led by artist Duane Lutsko
Throughout history, the dramatic potential of changing light and those expressive possibilities have captivated artists such as Whistler, Van Gogh, Ryder, and Turner. In this course, suitable for all levels, students explore oil painting techniques for quickly rendering light and atmosphere in the plein air landscape. The inherent simplicity of this approach offers unique opportunities for success with quick studies, as well as with more extended compositions. After mastering the basics of depicting form through value, students will explore the nuances of color palettes and paint applications to render the emotive qualities of the landscape. Outside assignments will challenge the student to explore different light situations throughout the day. The class will travel to various local painting sites to work outdoors.
All VACNJ Teacher’s symposium events offer unique professional development opportunities for art educators to come together and learn new creative skills to bring back to their classroom. The programs include:

Presentation by the leading contemporary artist
Hands-on artmaking workshop with the artist
Gallery exercises exploring ways to view and interpret contemporary art
Six professional development hours upon completion of the symposium
Lesson plans as a take home

Registration fees are $75 and include a light breakfast and all materials.
Click here to register.
PLEASE NOTE: If your school needs to be invoiced in order to pay for this program, please contact us to register. Call 908.273.9121 ext. 213 or at raponte@artcenternj.org, and speak with Director of Education & Community Engagement Rachel Aponte.

Teacher's Professional Development Symposium - The Suggestive Power of Oil Painting
2024-05-03 09:00 - 15:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
The Suggestive Power of Oil Painting
This symposium is led by artist Duane Lutsko
Explore an oil painting approach that uses the power of suggestion to teach to success while refreshing your personal and professional painting practice. We will use an earth-colored ground, an Imprimatura, to complete a one-off monochrome painting, a Grisaille, using doable steps with practical goals.
A traditional Grisaille is a finished monochrome painting, painted over a semi-transparent, dry, earth-hued, tonal-ground. We vary this practice by working into a wet transparent ground, the Imprimatura, using a limited palette and pulling out lights or painting-in darks.
We will investigate a myriad of ways painting can be developed by focusing on the relationships of shapes as value, proportion, alignment, and texture, rather than by trying to paint things and objects.
We will incorporate abstract thinking by using blocking and the tonal properties of the Imprimatura to build imagery from elements that suggest forms into more comprehensive details. The goal is to embed the practice of painting into actionable open-ended problem-solving skills that have application in your art room, as well as in your personal practice.
All VACNJ Teacher’s symposium events offer unique professional development opportunities for art educators to come together and learn new creative skills to bring back to their classroom. The programs include:

Presentation by the leading contemporary artist
Hands-on artmaking workshop with the artist
Gallery exercises exploring ways to view and interpret contemporary art
Six professional development hours upon completion of the symposium
Lesson plans as a take home

Registration fees are $75 and include a light breakfast and all materials.
Click here to register.
PLEASE NOTE: If your school needs to be invoiced in order to pay for this program, please contact us to register. Call 908.273.9121 ext. 213 or at raponte@artcenternj.org, and speak with Director of Education & Community Engagement Rachel Aponte.

An Evening of Conversation with Edwin Ramoran, Evonne Davis, and Emma Wilcox
2024-05-08 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Join us for a virtual night of conversation as curator Edwin Ramoran speaks with Gallery Aferro founders Evonne Davis and Emma Wilcox about the indelible mark Gallery Aferro has left on the New Jersey arts community and the artists that have worked within its walls.
Edwin Ramoran is an independent curator who has significantly contributed to the Newark arts scene as the previous Director of Exhibitions and Programs at Aljira.
Evonne Davis and Emma Wilcox are co-founders of Gallery Aferro, who have together developed hundreds of exhibitions, residencies, education programs, public art initiatives, and publications.
VACNJ is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Spring Curator Talk
Time: May 8, 2024 7 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85938065836?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 859 3806 5836
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Spring Exhibitions Last Look
2024-05-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Join us for a last look at our winter/spring exhibitions celebrating Gallery Aferro, the Newark-based arts organization that recently closed its doors after 20 years. Founded by visionary artists and changemakers Evonne M. Davis and Emma Wilcox, Gallery Aferro was a platform for the exchange of ideas in service of advancing human dignity and beauty, with a focus on visual arts as the vehicle. This event is free and open to the public and will feature informal talks by several of the exhibiting artists.
