Video: Exhibit Features Art from All Over the North Jersey Map

Through June 25, the gallery at Fair Lawn's is showcasing the work of more than 20 artists whose work encompasses a broad range of styles and techniques.

On Sunday, a reception was held at the library for the Painting Affiliates, one of four artistic groups associated with the New Milford-based Art Center of Northern New Jersey, a nonprofit organization which provides artistic training to adults, children, and teachers.

Founded in 1970, Painting Affiliates is comprised of 31 professional artists. Membership is open to all who apply, but space is limited to no more than 35 artists due to limitations on available gallery spaces. Acceptance of an artist is based solely on the entire group judgement.

One of the members whose work is currently featured in Fair Lawn is oil painter and graphic artist Lou Spina.

“I started drawing seriously when I was [about] 10 years old,” explains Spina, who lives in Washington Township. “I try to capture the essence of my subjects [to] make the viewers feel…like they’re entering a scene in someone’s life as its taking place.”

This gives Spina what he describes as “a feeling of accomplishment [that] still holds through [for me] today.”

While every member of Painting Affiliates has a unique sense of style, they all share a commitment to artistic expression. Members exhibit their artwork individually and as a group in galleries throughout the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.

For Teaneck resident , a member of Painting Affiliates whose collages were featured in the Fair Lawn library gallery last December, this exhibit was the perfect opportunity to try something new and different.

“I’ve been doing paper cut paintings [this] past year,” explains Stern. He creates paper cut paintings by layering a cut-paper image over top of a watercolor-painted image. His piece, titled “Fall,” is included in the current exhibit.

For more information on Painting Affiliates and the individual artists associated with the group, visithttp://www.artcenter-painters.com/index.php.

Download the movie