GALLERY U BOUTIQUE IN WESTFIELD, NJ, WELCOMES 2015 WITH ?AN EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY LOCAL CONTEMPORARY ART GROUP

Galley U Boutique, a combination of a fully functional art space and shopping boutique located at 
439 South Avenue West in Westfield, NJ, is proud to welcome 2015 with a very special exhibition of work by members of local art collective Contemporary Art Group (CAG). Various mediums and artistic styles that represent the broad spectrum of work by members are included in this exhibition.

Contemporary Art Group (CAG) is a nonprofit organization of active artists in North Central New Jersey that began as a special interest group within the Westfield Art Association. CAG redefined “contemporary” to mean “alive and currently producing art.” Participating artists include Virginia Carroll, Diane Gallo, Mel Holston, Maxine King, Avi Kiriakatis, Donald Kuhn, Linda Lam, Lane Lewis, Linnea W. Rhodes, Dorothy Siclare, Cecilly Sullivan, Rosalia Tignini Verdun and Cynthia Walling. An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 9, 2015, from 6-8 PM. All are welcome. The exhibition will be on display until February 2, 2015.

Since their opening in September 2013, Gallery U Boutique has quickly positioned itself as an arts resource for the Westfield and surrounding communities by holding monthly art exhibits that focus on the talents of local artists, as well as showcasing original unique merchandise created by local artisans.

Gallery U Boutique is an extension of Universal Institute, a rehabilitation facility that services adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The venue serves as a vocational training program whose goal is to introduce people with TBI back into the work force and community. Clients at Universal Institute take part in all aspects of running Gallery U Boutique. Vocational, occupational and cognitive therapies are conducted in the back workrooms. Working at Gallery U Boutique provides an opportunity for adults with TBI to rejoin the workforce, engage with the community, learn new skills, and experience the transformative power of art through exposure to existing art and creation of their own artwork.

Additional information about Contemporary Art Group: http://www.contemporaryartgroup.org

Additional information about Gallery U Boutique: http://gallery-u.blogspot.com.