JCC MetroWest presents “George Tarr: Master Artist,” July 8-29, in the Gaelen Gallery East at the Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC, Ross Family Campus, 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange. An Opening Celebration will be held on Sunday, July 8, 1:00pm-3:00pm.
George Tarr was born in Newark, NJ in 1914. He grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas where he discovered the native blue clay that he forged into his first sculptures. Tarr later moved to Washington DC, where he graduated from McKinley Technical High School, having learned how to forge metal and do rudimentary drawing.
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Tarr returned to Newark in 1936 where he worked for Ronson Art Metal Works during the day and attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts at night. He studied sculpture, oil, painting, and life drawing. During WWII, Tarr worked in a defense plant as a machinist. After the war, he continued to work in private industry as a senior technician, but never abandoned his artistic endeavors. He retired in 1977.
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Tarr has exhibited extensively in museums, galleries, and libraries throughout New Jersey. He has received many awards in juried shows, several of which were “Best in Show.” His work can be found in permanent collections throughout Essex County, including three sculptures at the West Orange Public Library, five sculptures at Montclair State University, and a life sized copper eagle commissioned by the Town of West Orange which can be found at the foot of Eagle Rock Avenue. George Tarr, 97, currently resides in West Orange, NJ where he continues to produce artwork.
Gaelen Gallery East hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 9:00pm; Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm; and Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. For more information, please contact Lisa Suss at 973–530–3413 (lsuss@jccmetrowest.org).
