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Health & Fitness

SOPAC Unveils New Art Exhibit This WED 12/5

South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) Presents a New Art Exhibition at The Herb & Milly Iris Gallery Featuring Works by Two Painters - CJ Collins + Shawn Washburn

WHAT: New Art Exhibition by CJ Collins + Shawn Washburn

WHERE: South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) The Herb & Milly Iris Gallery

WHEN: On display December 5 – March 5; Opening Reception WED, December
5th @ 6:00pm – 8:00pm


HOW: FREE.  To learn more, visit http://www.SOPACnow.org or call 973.313.ARTS.   

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The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) unveils the latest in its
rotating series of visual art exhibitions in the Herb & Milly Iris Gallery
at SOPAC.  On view from December 5, 2012 – March 5, 2013, is a
collection of paintings and drawings by two NYC-based artists - CJ Collins and
Shawn Washburn.  Kicking off the exhibit is a free reception from
6:00–8:00pm on Wednesday, December 5th featuring a meet-and-greet
with the artist themselves.  The artwork on display is for sale with
partial proceeds supporting SOPAC. 

CJ Collins is known for combining painting and drawing through layering a
multitude of linear patterns.  She first started this strategy when she
photocopied her sketchbooks and covered her studio walls with the animated,
enlarged images subsequently producing energetic landscapes of colors and
patterns.  “Painting and drawing from this strategy opened up infinite
composition possibilities,” explains Collins.  “The patterns, superimposed
and joined, gain new meaning and resonance, recreating a complex narrative from the singular ones.”  

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Similarly, Shawn Washburn is a conceptual artist who utilizes pencil, paint, digital, and a variety of sculptural mediums.  His paintings are often a cross between installation art and alternative material usage.
 

About CJ Collins      
                                                                                                                
CJ Collins began her study of art at the University of Texas in Austin but
completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Santa Barbara Art Institute in 1975
under the tutorship of James Jarvaise and Matsumi Kanemitsu. After graduation,
she taught painting and drawing part time at Ventura Jr College and the Ojai
Art Museum. She also led a four week art student tour of Europe's great cities
and museums. A meeting with Jack Tworkov, a visiting lecturer at UCSB, inspired
her to move to New York City and the following year she established her studio
in an old loft space in the Tribeca area of lower Manhattan, where she lives
and works.


About Shawn Washburn    
                                                                                    
Shawn Washburn has an AA in commercial art as well as BS from Edinboro University in PA. Although earlier in his career he worked teaching art, he now balances his time between photography, film making and painting. He lives and works in Tribeca. In 2009 his paintings of planets were backdrop for the launch of
fashion designer David Caldwell’s collection “Return of the Greenpeace Yuppies”
hosted by Spin Magazine. He was a participant in the 2002 group show “Life and
the City” at the MoMa (Museum of Modern Art), exhibited at the Manhattan
Borough President’s Office and has premiered installations at the Tunnel and
the gardens outside Shea Stadium during the US Open. Shawn has created
promotional work for Judith Shakespeare Company, Lightning Strikes Theatre and
Theatre in the Flesh. He is currently the President of the board of T.O.A.S.T.
the Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour.

About the Herb & Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC 
                                                        
The Herb & Milly Iris Gallery brings contemporary art to the community, providing
artists opportunities to reach new audiences.  The Gallery is designed for movie goers, theater enthusiasts, art lovers, and all citizens of South Orange alike to have an opportunity to further enrich their cultural lives.  The Gallery is the impetus of SOPAC Board Member Milly Iris, a South Orange resident and arts advocate.  Mrs. Iris has an extensive art collection, is an art teacher, and is the former owner/director of South Orange’s Whichcraft Gallery.  Along with her late husband, Herb, Milly has been a longtime supporter of SOPAC.


About SOPAC          
                                                                                                  
Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The multidisciplinary arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages.  To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the
Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC—a series featuring
upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory.  SOPAC is also a home
for Seton Hall University Arts Council’s performances, including Classical
Concert Series, Jazz N’ the Hall performances and Seton Hall Theatre
productions.  SOPAC also presents performances by its theater company in
residence, Midtown Direct Rep, and its dance company in residence, Lydia
Johnson Dance.  For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.

 

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