Ripple Effect

Main Gallery
Mitzi and Warren Eisenberg Gallery
Stair-gazing Gallery
September 16, 2022–January 8, 2023

Ripple Effect featured the artwork of thirty-seven Visual Arts Center of New Jersey teaching artists who actively transform and enrich lives through the shared experience of art. The exhibition title speaks to the far-reaching impact of the faculty who impart their expert skills to students through our Studio School and community programs.

Spanning the Main Gallery and Mitzi & Warren Eisenberg Gallery, this exhibition explored three themes: abstract works, works depicting natural and built environments, and works that plumb the space between the imagined and the real. The groupings formed connections between the participating artists whose practices include painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, and textiles.

The first Main Gallery grouping showcased observations of the world around us, highlighting nearby rivers, historic landmarks, and industrial sites. The second thematic grouping featured artworks that examine the artist’s personal relation to perception, emotion, and flights of imagination. Next, the Eisenberg Gallery grouping focused on abstract works featuring innovative mark-making and striking color combinations. This exhibition of over 70 artworks was enhanced by the artists’ own words through links to short videos featured below.

This exhibition launched a year-long celebration of the Art Center’s 90th anniversary.

Artists featured in Ripple Effect include:

James Adkins • Doug Baron • Kat Block • Melissa Bragg-Krishnamurthy • Chase Cantwell • Mary Jean Canziani • Beatrice Chang • Donna Conklin King • Mark de Mos • Alicia Flynn Cotter • Jessica Garber • Andrea Gianchiglia Anita Gladstone • Gerry Heydt • Judith Hugentobler • Diana Hsu Kung • Matthew Langley • Valeri Larko • Christopher Lopez • Duane Lutsko • Joanna Madloch • Drew Maillard • Martha McDonald • Jeannette Mullarkey • Mansa Mussa • Howard Nathenson • Dawn Noonan • Janice Patrignani • Dennis RedMoon Darkeem • Shelley Rosen Howard • Sandy Ruda • Heidi SanFilippo • Peter Syak • Joel Tidey
Katie Truk • Emi Winter • Stephen Yavorski

In conjunction with Ripple Effect, the Marité and Joe Robinson Strolling Gallery I featured the documentation of the 90-year history of the Art Center, including rarely seen photographs, print materials, past publications, and a nearly 40-foot-long timeline, outlining key events in the organization’s history.

Boat Yard by Duane Lutsko

Duane Lutsko, Boat Yard, 2022, Oil on canvas, 12 x 16 inches, Courtesy of the artist.

Underpass Dyre Ave Station Bronx by Valeri Larko

Valeri Larko, Underpass, Dyre Ave Station, Bronx, 2018, Oil on linen, 33 x 56 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Twilight Power by Howard Nathenson

Howard Nathenson, Twilight Power, 2019, Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches, Courtesy of the artist.

Rainforest Geo Plate by Jessica Garder

Jessica Garber, Rainforest Geo Plate, 2021, Ceramic, 9 x 9 x 1 inches, Courtesy of the Artist.

Cubes X by Chase Cantwell

Chase Cantwell, Cubes X, 2021, Encaustic, 11 x 14 inches, Courtesy of the Artist.

Sudo by Stephen Yavorski

Stephen Yavorski, Sudo, 2019, Oil on wood, 12 x 16 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Untitled by Christopher Lopez

Christopher Lopez, Untitled, 2020, Photograph, 14 x 11 inches, Courtesy of the artist.

What You See by Anita Gladstone

Anita Gladstone, What You See, 2019, Soft pastel, 18 x 12 inches, Courtesy of the artist.

Window Series II: Pots with Windows, by Beatrice Chang

Beatrice Chang, Window Series II: Pots with Windows, 2016, Ceramic, 14.25 x 10 x 10 inches, Collection of the Artist.

Tree of Life by Emi Winter

Emi Winter, Tree of Life, 2022, Wool, 88 x 54 inches, Courtesy of the artist.