NJSO Painted Violins Displayed in Livingston

Art Strings, a traveling exhibit of painted violins commissioned by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, will be on display in Livingston on Thursday, March 25.

The ACL Gallery in the Livingston Town Center will host a reception that will feature the violins, including one painted by Livingson resident Vivian Olshen. Raffle tickets will also be sold at the event, with the chance to win one of the violins; monies raised will benefit the education programs of the NJSO.  The winning ticket will be announced on June 1, after the show stops at other galleries.  

Ms. Olshen, whose painted violin tries to capture the essence of Vivaldi's  "Four Seasons," spoke about the program at Monday's Township Council meeting.

"They are magnificent pieces of art," said Mayor Arlene Johnson, after Ms. Olshen presented information on the program.

Ms. Olshen serves as president of Arts Council of Livingston.  A graduate of Pratt Institute, she also teaches painting and conducts a museum and gallery course at the JCC of Metrowest.  Her paintings, prints and drawings are in many collections throughout the United States and Canada.

She is one of 10 artists the NJSO commissioned to create individual works of art using violins as their canvas, drawing inspiration from a musical program or work the NJSO is presenting in its 2009–10 season.  

The ACL Gallery is sponsored by Arts Council of Livingston.  For more information on the event, contact Renee Pachucki of the NJSO at 973-624.3713, extension 270 or at rpachucki@njsymphony.org or Vivian Olshen of the ACL Gallery at 973-992-1950 or vivolshen@aol.com.

*This story has been updated.