Toms River Sculptor Hanlon's Works Going On Display At Brookdale

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — You may have noticed his sports sculptures displayed all around downtown Toms River last summer, or you've seen the "Welcome to Ocean County" sculpture at the corner of Routes 37 and 166.

Now you can see more of Brian Hanlon's works at Brookdale Community College in the Lincroft section of Middletown, starting next week.

There is a public reception scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, at the college, 765 Newman Springs Road, Middletown.

The exhibit, on display in the college’s Center for Visual Arts gallery, features more than two dozen sculptures of local and national figures, including baseball player Yogi Berra, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, a New Jersey firefighter, and women’s lacrosse player Yeardley Love, who died tragically in 2010.

The sculptures, some of which stand more than seven feet tall, are a sampling of the more than 300 public art pieces Hanlon has created for schools, universities, churches, memorial foundations and other organizations throughout his career, a release about the exhibit said.

Hanlon is a graduate of Brookdale and of Monmouth University and serves as the official sculptor for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He has produced numerous sculptures at the Jersey Shore, including the Angel in Anguish monument to Brick Township residents lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“Brian’s sculptures – and the subjects of his art – will be a great source of inspiration to our students and community members alike,” said Marie Maber, CVA gallery director and Brookdale art professor. “We encourage residents of all ages to come meet the artist and see these awe-inspiring works in person.”

The welcoming reception is free and open to all. Parking for the CVA Gallery is in lots 1 and 2.

“Historic Pillars in Bronze” will be on display through March 17. For CVA hours or more information call (732) 224-2743 or visit www.brookdalecc.edu/events.

Photos by Brookdale Community College