Expanded Events and Programs for the 10th Annual SOMA Studio Tour!

South Orange and Maplewood, NJ will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the SOMA Artists Studio Tour with expanded programs and exhibitions.  The Tour will include more than 70 artists in individual studios, galleries, and group venues, and will feature a series of exhibitions hosted by The Pierro Gallery, The Herb & Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC, and South Orange.

Below are the programs and events in connection with the 10th SOMA Studio Tour. See you there!

The town of South Orange presents ABC = Art & Business Connection, an ongoing series of exhibitions by area artists, hosted by South Orange businesses.  ABC runs from May 9^th through June 2^nd, with opening receptions at each location on May 9^th from 7pm – 9pm.  Participants include:

* Sculptures and paintings by Russell Christian at Guten Parts + Service - 213 Valley St, 1st Floor, South Orange, NJ 07079

* Photography by Steve Vaccarielo at Spark House Studio - 15 Scotland Rd, South Orange, NJ 07079 (Closed to the public on June 2)

* Katepedia, Photomontage by Luis Alves at Robyn Ross - 67 South Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079 

* Prints, drawings and paintings by Ann Vollum and Allie Takahashi at Papillon 25 Martini Bar & Restaurant - 25 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079

* Signs of Spring, Rebel Yarns in South Orange and Maplewood - A butterfly scavenger hunt that takes place throughout South Orange and Maplewood.

For participation rules and more information about Signs of Spring, go to the event page HERE!

The Pierro Gallery of South Orange will present SOMA: Engaging Art, from May 23 until June 22, 2013. This exhibition features art that relies on the involvement of the community to be created. The exhibition’s purpose is to celebrate the artists and the creative community of South Orange and Maplewood that has grown and flourished during the 10 years of the Tour. Artists include Gerard Amsellem and Mikel Frank, Russell Christian, William Figdor,  Suzanne Henning, and Jodi Lee.

The opening reception on May 23 from 7-9 p.m. will feature some artists "performing" their projects. For more information on the Engaging Art exhibition and opening reception, check out the event page HERE !

The Herb & Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC will present Primal Convergence, a collection of paintings, drawings, collages, constructs, and sculptures by Gerard Amsellem & Mikel Frank, and Dan Fenelon, now through July 31^st.  Both ancient and futuristic with bold, explosive use of colors, these large scale works engage the viewer in a transformative meditation of mind, body and spirit.  The exhibition is curated by Micha Hamilton of GAS Gallery & Studio.

For more information on this event, please follow this LINK

Seton Hall University’s Walsh Gallery will be hosting Cell Mates, two distinct group shows that will be on view side by side in adjacent galleries from Sunday, June 2 through Thursday, July 18, 2013.  The exhibitions, curated by Jeanne Brasile and Lisbeth Murray, are a discursive exploration into modes of creativity inspired by science, particularly cellular forms.  The goal is to see how artists, functioning in the role of quasi-scientists, merge artistic and scientific practices.  Participating artists include Lorrie Fredette, Shuli Sade and Jordan Eagles, among others. 

Also on view at Seton Hall University’s Walsh Library is windows@walsh6.0 the 6th annual invitational show of site-specific artwork featuring Dominique Duroseau, Ibrahim Ahmed III and Vazquez.  Show on view 24/7 through August 31, 2013. 

You may find more information at Seton Hall's Walsh Gallery website HERE

Meet the Artists is a series of video interviews with local artists hosted by Sybil Archibald and filmed and edited by SOMA TV’s Joy Yagid. The series explores the perspectives and muses of 19 area artists, and highlights their unique approach to the practice of art.

The videos may be found on the Tour website (studiotoursoma.org/artist-videos), on YouTube (youtube.com/user/somastudiotour), and the SOMATv website (somatv.org) through the month of May.

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For more information about any of these events, the Studio Tour, and artists, please call 973 378 7754 ext 2223 or visit the SOMA Studio Tour website at studiotoursoma.org, which features artist profiles and galleries, and personalized tour maps searchable by genre, medium, and location—as well as family friendly and walking tours through specific neighborhoods.

Founded in 2003, the SOMA Artists Studio Tour is a joint project of the Pierro Gallery of South Orange (pierrogallery.org) and Friends of Maplewood Recreation / 1978 (1978artscenter.org).  The Pierro Gallery and Friends of Maplewood Recreation wish to thank the following contributors for their generous support of the Tour: The Herb & Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC, Geralyn’s Art Studio, Gas Gallery, Victoria Carter (Realtor), Whole Foods, Mona Lisa Framing, The Framing Mill, 10^th Muse Gallery, Investor’s Bank, HSB Stone Corp, South Orange Pharmacy, SOMATV, Bunny’s Pizzeria, South Orange Frame Shop, and The Walsh Gallery at Seton Hall University.