Visual Arts Center of New Jersey Partners With Paper Mill Playhouse on Art Exhibition

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is proud to partner with Paper Mill Playhouse on a year long exhibition series in the theater's Renee Foosaner Art Gallery. The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will provide an exhibition for each of Paper Mill's five main-stage productions, each in a different medium. The gallery is open one hour prior to performances and during intermission.

The current exhibition, Painting Students of Valeri Larko, is on view February 17, 2010 through March 14, 2010 and is presented in conjunction with Paper Mill's production of Lost In Yonkers. This exhibition is a reflection of Larko's style of instruction which encourages her students to find their own voice. "A strong understanding of the basics in painting such as composition, color and paint handling can free students to discover their own personal style" says Larko. Larko's students are positively influenced by her own urban landscape paintings and fascination with overlooked areas of the city. "I find both beauty and pathos at the intersection of urban culture and nature that reflect how we, as a society, have altered and continue to alter the environment" she explains.

Valeri Larko teaches landscape painting for adults at all levels at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. Ms. Larko is a professional artist whose work has been exhibited at The Hunterdon Museum, The New Jersey State Museum, the Bronx River Art Center and the College of New Rochelle, among others. She has received a painting fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and an artist residency at the Newark Museum. In 2001 she was awarded a major mural commission from New Jersey Transit and the NJSCA for the Secaucus Transfer Station where four of her murals are permanently on display. Her paintings can be found in numerous public and private collections

Since its founding in 1933, the Art Center has developed an extensive curriculum of art classes headed by a faculty of recognized artists. Professionally active professors enhance the ability of our staff to mentor and teach. The faculty, along with our newly renovated facilities, forms a unique environment enabling all students from experts to beginners to grow as artists. To learn more, visit www.artcenternj.org.

Need more New Jersey Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...