Around Town: Your Fall Arts Preview

Labor Day has come and gone and — as every art lover knows — that means the start of the fall art season.

Leading the list of exhibitions in the area is the Montclair Art Museum's "Living For
Art: The Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection" running from September 24, 2010 to January 2, 2011.

The Vogels are the unlikely New York City couple that amassed one of the largest private collections of Minimalist and Conceptual art. I say unlikely because — unlike most other major collectors — the Vogels were not wealthy or famous. In fact, they were of very modest means: Herbert was a clerk at the post office and Dorothy was a librarian.

How did they happen to acquire so many outstanding cutting-edge works of art that
doubled, tripled, or in some cases increased in value 10-, 20-, 30-fold, or more? Well, the short answer is that they were on the scene early and bought works by more or less unknown or undervalued artists who later rose to artworld superstardom. Think Lynda Benglis, Julian Schnabel, Christo, Richard Tuttle, and Robert Barry just to name a few.

The Vogels' story is nothing short of remarkable and a real world lesson for all of
us who love and value art. For a more complete picture of their accomplishment you'll have to see the exhibition (and read my forthcoming review). The exhibition includes 50 works they donated to the museum. Also, take in the documentary about the couple, "Herb & Dorothy," which will be screened throughout the run of the show.

Elsewhere, local galleries are serving up their own delicious fall treats for art lovers to savor.

At Gallery Loupe, 50 Church St., September 19 marks the opening of "Found Walking: Mona Brody," recent sculptures, wearable objects, and paintings by an artist who has been a recipient of a Geraldine Dodge fellowship and who currently teaches at Pratt Institute.

Currently on view at Gallery 51 is recent photography from Andy Foster, an exhibition that runs through mid-October. The gallery located at 51 Church St. also features the work of other photographers and painters.

At Edge Mid Century Designs, which describes itself as the place to go for mid-century furniture, accessories, and works of art, the current display includes paintings of vintage cars by Keith Grabowsky and abstract paintings by Michael Hartnett — both soon to be joined by works by textile artist Linda Krause. The store and gallery is located at 461 Bloomfield Ave.

For the fashionistas in the area, don't miss "Haute Couture," an exhibition of fashion-inspired artworks at Gallery U, 179 Glenridge Ave. The gallery, part of Universal Institute Rehab, is operated by people with traumatic brain injuries as part of their recovery and transition back into the community. Artwork is by local artists and patients in recovery.

Studio Montclair kicks off the new season with a group show, "Genesis and Evolution," at its new Academy Square gallery. The exhibition opens on September 24 and includes works by 14 Studio Montclair board members and founders.