'Sharing Cultural Art Traditions' Exhibition Thru Jan. 26

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission welcomes the public to a biennial art exhibition displaying 17 different indigenous-art traditions by diverse artists. Text panels accompanying the artworks provide interesting information on the origins, influences and general cultural context of each tradition for public education and enjoyment.

“The artistic talents and expertise of these artists are fine examples of the many across the state that have enriched our lives and communities by sharing their cultural heritage through their fascinating traditional art forms,” said Freeholder Brian D. Levine, commission liaison.

“Welcome Neighbor: Sharing Cultural Art Traditions II,” featuring both two- and three-dimensional art, will be on display through Jan. 26 in the Somerset County Administration building’s Cultural & Heritage Gallery located at 20 Grove St., Somerville, on both the first and third floors. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Jan. 16. Free parking is available in the attached Bernie Field Parking Deck off East High Street. For directions visit http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/about/county-complex-directions

This art exhibition will feature the following indigenous-art forms, plus some contemporary interpretations by invited artists from several New Jersey counties, and one from out of state, as follows:

• Scherenschnitte / Traditional German Paper-cutting by Debbie Gwazda, Pennington/Mercer County, and Gil Thompson, Bernardsville/ Somerset County;
• Chinese Brush and Landscape Painting by Jocelyn Wong, North Plainfield/Somerset County;
• Hand Felt-making by Gail Fishberg, Westfield/Union County;
• Celtic Interlace by Patrick Gallagher, Wharton/Morris County;
• Ukrainian Pysanky by Stephanie Hryckowian, Woolrich Township/Gloucester County;
• Japanese Raku by Ann Tsubota, Pittstown/Hunterdon County;
• Native Lenape Arts by Denise “Bright Dove” Dunkley, formerly Cumberland County (now Odessa, DE);
• Philippine Parol and Origami by Joy Ann Cabanos, Westfield/Union County;
• Italian Reverse Glass Painting by Phyllis Fittipaldi, Warren Township/Somerset County;
• Sanganeri (Block Printing) and Batik by Shanti Jain, Plainsboro/Mercer County;
• Photographs by Shanti Jain of Asian Indian Mehndi (Henna), picturing intricately created traditional designs by Henna artist Pallavi Patel, Lawerenceville /Mercer County;
• Asian Indian Kolam by Jayashree Anantapadmanabhan, Plainsboro/Mercer County; and
• Bobbin Lace by Helga Spector, Franklin Township/Somerset County, and Beata Ten Hoven, Lebanon/Hunterdon County.

This touring exhibition will move to the Bernardsville Public Library (908-766-0118) for the month of February and then to the Hillsborough Public Library (908-369-2200) for the month of March. Some of the featured artists will offer hands-on workshops for the public by pre-registration at both the Bernardsville and Hillsborough libraries while the exhibition is on display there. Call in advance to the libraries for exact installation and removal dates, as well as public workshop offerings and registration, as inclement winter weather could affect the schedule.