The Body Beautiful Celebrated in Barron Arts Center Drawing Exhibition

Artists celebrated the Body Beautiful - or at least their renditions of it - at a reception held to show off their canvases.

The opened their new exhibit, "," Friday night with the works of the spring session's artists, and a chance for enthusiasts to meet some of the creators of the canvases on display.

At least 25 onlookers were already gathered to view the exhibit when it opened, and more streamed in all evening to see the varied works from the Barron Life Drawing Group. 

Cynthia Knight, director of the Barron Arts Center, gave a short introduction of the event and introduced Ray Skibinski, organizer and moderator of the coterie of artists whose work was showcased.  

“I just monitor the group of artists that attend.  I do not teach unless someone wants help.  I also provide the models,” said Skibinski. The life drawing group usually meets twice a year for two eight-week sessions, but the upcoming one in September will meet for ten weeks. Skibinski said he attended the classes himself for about ten years before he stepped in as coordinator.

Two of the artists exhibiting in the show, Gil Fox and Jean Literate, were present at the opening.

Fox mentioned that he ran the session for two years.  “The premise of the group is to use the time as a kind of exercise in order to practice using live models," Fox said. "When you actually have a live model you can create your graphic language.  Some are better at it than others.  It’s like going to the gym.”

Artist Jean Literate described two of her drawings of the female model as “one being more of a portrait” and “the other was just used as an inspiration.”

Each artist’s style was very different but all were interesting in their own way, said Dorothy Poll of Sayreville. “This is the first time I have come to an exhibit here.  It’s very impressive.  We have a lot of talented people in our area," Poll said.  "I am pleasantly surprised.” 

Paula Thomas, a Rahway artist who was enjoying the show, said her favorite work was Fifth Column.  "The woman model pictured has a flawless body," she observed.

“BODYscapes 2011” can be viewed at the Barron Arts Center through August 21.  For more information, call 732-634-0413.