"Welcome Neighbor: Sharing Cultural Art Traditions II" - Touring Exhibition at Bernardsville Library in February

Bernardsville Public Library welcomes the public to an art exhibition displaying 17 different indigenous-art traditions by diverse artists. “Welcome Neighbor: Sharing Cultural Art Traditions II” will be on display at Bernardsville Library from February 2 to 27th. It features both two- and three-dimensional art. Text panels accompanying the artworks provide interesting information on the origins, influences and general cultural context of each tradition for public education and enjoyment. Sponsored by Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, the show was on display in Somerville in January.

“The artistic talents and expertise of these artists are fine examples of the many across the state that have enriched our lives and communities by sharing their cultural heritage through their fascinating traditional art forms,” said Freeholder Brian D. Levine, commission liaison.

This art exhibition features the following indigenous-art forms, plus some contemporary interpretations by invited artists from several New Jersey counties, and one from out of state, as follows:
•Scherenschnitte /Traditional German Paper-Cutting by Debbie Gwazda, Pennington/Mercer County, and Gil Thompson, Bernardsville/ Somerset County;
•Chinese Brush and Landscape Painting by Jocelyn Wong, North Plainfield/Somerset County;
•Hand Felt-making by Gail Fishberg, Westfield/Union County;
•Celtic Interlace by Patrick Gallagher, Wharton/Morris County;
•Ukrainian Pysanky by Stephanie Hryckowian, Woolrich Township/Gloucester County;
•Japanese Raku by Ann Tsubota, Pittstown/Hunterdon County;
•Native Lenape Arts by Denise “Bright Dove” Dunkley, formerly Cumberland County (now Odessa, DE);
•Philippine Parol and Origami by Joy Ann Cabanos, Westfield/Union County;
•Italian Reverse Glass Painting by Phyllis Fittipaldi, Warren Township/Somerset County;
•Sanganeri (Block Printing) and Batik by Shanti Jain, Plainsboro/Mercer County;
•Photographs by Shanti Jain of Asian Indian Mehndi (Henna), picturing intricately created traditional designs by Henna artist Pallavi Patel, Lawerenceville /Mercer County;
•Asian Indian Kolam by Jayashree Anantapadmanabhan, Plainsboro/Mercer County; and
•Bobbin Lace by Helga Spector, Franklin Township/Somerset County, and Beata Ten Hoven, Lebanon/Hunterdon County.

One of the featured artists, Shanti Jain will offer hands-on workshops for the children and adults on block printing on Sunday afternoon, February 26. Pre-registration will be required at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org.

Promotion for this indigenous-art exhibition has been made possible by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA)/Dept. of State, through the State/ County Partnership Local Arts Program Grant administered in Somerset County by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission. The exhibition will move to the Hillsborough Public Library for the month of March.

The show will be on view in Bernardsville during regular library hours unless a meeting is in progress. For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Photo: Celtic Exhibition by Patrick Gallagher