What the Fluke is a Seagan?

The Virginia Perle Art Gallery at 96 East Water Street in Toms River will host an art exhibit, book signing, and food tasting on Friday, July 29 from 6 to 9 P.M. Themed “Food, Glorious Food—Delights of the Sea” this free, open-house event showcases seafood-inspired artwork in a variety of media from gallery owner Virginia Perle, along with local artists Beverly Golembeski, Ed McComsey, Frank Parisi, Yvonne Yaar-Sharkey, and several others. Many of the works will be for sale.

Lisa McComsey, an Island Heights resident, will sign copies of her new book, Seagan Eating—The Lure of a Healthy, Sustainable Seafood + Vegan Diet. This is her second book with renowned Boulder-based chef, Amy Cramer, with whom she co-wrote The Vegan Cheat Sheet. Lisa’s father, former Toms River dentist Ed McComsey, illustrated Seagan Eating.

Published by Penguin Random House, Seagan Eating launched nationally on July 5, 2016 and has already drawn media attention from publications like Family Circle, Publishers Weekly, mariashriver.com, and many others. In his article titled “Everything You Need to Know About Seaganism, the New Sort-Of, Kind-Of Vegan Diet,” Epicurious writer Sam Worley writes that Seagan Eating “will cement the [seagan] term in the millennial vocabulary.”

Seagan Eating advocates eating a plant-based diet with the single “cheat” of seafood two to three times a week to procure the highest-quality essential omega-3 fatty acids. The authors support consuming only sustainably caught fish that are low in toxins, and their book provides a guide to the best and worst catches, along with fish-buying tips and a 21-day meal plan. Also included are 66 easy-to-prepare recipes, shopping lists, and advice for navigating today’s food conundrums, such as GMOs, organic versus non-organic, tricky ingredient labels, and superfoods (hoaxes or heroes?)

Seagan treats will be available for sampling.

The exhibit will be on display until Saturday, September 10.

For information, please call the gallery at 732-244-4300 or visit www.virginiaperleartgallery.net or www.seaganeating.com.

About the Gallery:

Founded in 2002, the Virginia Perle Art Gallery exhibits the original art and limited-edition prints of artist Virginia Perle, who is known for her lively, scenic, and sometimes whimsical depictions of the Jersey Shore. The venue also showcases the handcrafted jewelry, photography, artwork, and crafts of area artists.

About the Author:

A Toms River native, Lisa McComsey graduated from Bucknell University with an art history degree and is an award-winning copywriter. She has worked on staff and as a freelance copywriter for a variety of publications, including Vogue, Allure, People, Life, Real Simple, Vanity Fair, Bon Appétit, House & Garden, the New York Times, and Every Day with Rachael Ray. An avid bicyclist and runner, Lisa has completed twenty-five marathons, several century rides, and a handful of triathlons. She currently works as a freelance writer, marketing consultant, and public speaker.

About the Illustrator:

A retired dentist, Ed McComsey, “The Jazzy Watercolorist” now works as a professional artist, creating paintings and illustrations instead of crowns and dentures. Under the tutelage of various renowned watercolorists in New Jersey and Key West, he has explored a spectrum of styles and techniques. Ed has exhibited in art shows and galleries in New Jersey, and his works hang in restaurants, hospitals, and many private homes. This is his first book-illustration project.