'Missing Pieces' at IronWorks Gallery Will Open Friday

"Missing pieces" opens this Friday with a meet-the-artist reception at the IronWorks Gallery, at 406 Tompkins Street, in the center of the Valley Arts District (VAD). It promises to be a compelling show, with a compelling theme. 

The exhibit brings together a diverse group of artists, many working in clay or stone and working in provocative, powerful ways. The event is part of the VAD's monthly ART LOOP, a peripatetic event that takes place the last Friday of most every month. Participants can walk freely among the area galleries from about 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This time out, watch for a special site specific installation in the windows of famed artist Terry Boddie's Oualie Gallery at 544A Freeman St. Boddie is showing some works in progress. "These two pieces are investigations of ways to translate some of the ideas in my 2D work into sculptural form," Boddie said via email.

It's also the last  chance to see the marvelous   next door at 544B at YEMA, featuring artists from the Catfish Friday collective and Nigerian artist Rahmon Olugunna.

There's more: the multi-gifted Eric Beckerich will not only be showing works in the exhibit, but bringing out his alter-ego, singer/songwriter/guitarist Ronnie Beck to perform his mix of R & B, Blues and New York inspired originals and covers. 

"I usually perform solo, but sometimes the legendary guitarist James 'Pancakes' O'Malley plays with me," said Beckerich. "He has a standing invite to sit in with me, and when he does  — well, got to be there." Beckerich performs often at the VAD's Hat City Kitchen and recently debuted at Cecil's, down the road and north on Valley Road in West Orange.

Beckerich has been receiving much attention on the heels of his show earlier this season at the JCC Cooperman Campus MetroWest Roland Art Corridor. This time out, he is working with mortar and found objects, and the work is rougher, more visceral: "This new body of work is concerned with stripping down the material to its basics, to explode the results," Beckerich said.

The artist/performer drew a parallel between his art and his music.

"My musical performances are always about delivering the songs —laying it down, in the moment, heart on my sleeve," Beckerich said. "This kind of attack to my music is very much in sync with how I produce my sculpture, in that the outcome is all about being there."

The complete list of artist is vanOs, Eric Beckeridge, Karen Shala, Susan Napack, Jennifer Levine, Krystle Lemonias, Susan Ward, Jane Dell and Julie Levine. Beckeridge and Jane Dell are Maplewood based. Dell's layered and compelling canvases have been attracting much positive comment all season; her "Mid-Night Party" just received an honorable mention at the prestigious Gaelen Juried Art Show at the JCC Metrowest Aidekman Campus this past Sunday.

West Orange based Julie Levine is also on view now at Gaelen and was a 2008 first place winner there. Works from Levine's "Broken Vessel" mixed media series are remarkable marriages of clay and portraiture, art and personal history.

Levine in her writing and advocacy work is a strong voice for victims of domestic violence. Forbidden to touch paint or clay during, Levine was able to ultimately find her independence and recapture her artist's voice.

She has done more than recapture; she has used her artistic vision to both heal herself, offer hope to others and to create timeless pieces.  Levine fashions clay into slabs, painting some with faces, others in colors. Some slabs are carved into jigsaw pieces, other slabs hammered into shards. The pieces are then assembled on a wood background as a timeless statement.

Lorena LaGrassa, the executive director of the Valley Arts District and curator of this show is dedicated to creating a community of area artists and using art to create a strong community and neighborhood. 

Levine goes to the heart of the VAD mission. "IronWorks is a true treasure — a fabulous exhibition space right in our own arts community," she said. "I have extreme respect and gratitude for all involved in the building and project.  IronWorks not only offers artists a place to share their work, but it also runs classes for children, nurturing the next generation of artists. My art is not only healing for me, but opens doors so that others may learn."

Learn more about Friday's ART LOOP and about the many programs, exhibits and ongoing events in the multiple venue Valley Arts District at www.valleyartsdistrict.org. IronWorks Gallery is at 406 Tompkins St., Orange and is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, but it is advisable to call first at (973) 674-0183.  Oualie and YEMA galleries are in the BrassWorks Building at 540A and B Freeman Street, Orange. YEMA gallery hours are Wednesday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment.