Summit, NJ: The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will present its Fall Exhibitions on view through January 18, 2015. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, September 28, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm and is a free event open to all. Several of the artists will discuss their work at 3:00 pm. 

Doppler Shift (Main Gallery), is a large group show that explores the illusion of difference between two-and three-dimensional space. The title refers to the Doppler effect—a change in the frequency of emitted waves relative to an observer. The artists have created works that straddle the liminal space between flat and dimensional, where images seem to move and shift, often triggering optical or other sensory effects.  The exhibition will feature painting, sculpture, video, drawing, and site-specific works by 26 artists from the US and Europe.

Featured artists:  Steven Baris, Richard Bottwin, Edgar Diehl, Gabriele Evertz, Kevin Finklea, Enrico Gomez, Brent Hallard, José Heerkens, Gilbert Hsiao, Gracia Khouw, Sarah Klein & David Kwan, Stephen Maine, Joanne Mattera, Rob de Oude, Gay Outlaw, Mel Prest, Debra Ramsay, Albert Roskam, Karen Schifano, Iemke van Dijk, Henriëtte van ’t Hoog, Ruth van Veenen, Don Voisine, Nancy White, Guido Winkler, and Patricia Zarate.

A fully-illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition, featuring essays by New York based art critic, Thomas Micchelli, and Art Center curator, Mary Birmingham. A related series of stop-and-go animations, curated by San Francisco artist Sarah Klein will be on view concurrently. Artists include:  Benjamin Ducroz, Lon Godin, Jośe Heerkens, Gilbert Hsiao, Johan Rijpma, Jen Stark, and Iemke van Dijk.  A DVD featuring a selection of these videos is included with the exhibition catalogue.

Visual Art Center of New Jersey

Gary Petersen: Tilting Points (Eisenberg Gallery), Gary Petersen is a New York-based painter known for his dynamic and colorful geometric abstractions. His exhibition in Studio X is a site-specific wall painting encompassing all of the gallery walls. Viewers entering the gallery are completely surrounded by and immersed in the work, which creates the effect of walking directly into a painting. This show complements the concurrent exhibition in the Main Gallery, Doppler Shift.

Gary Petersen received an M.F.A. from The School of Visual Arts and a B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University. His work has been exhibited widely in New York City and throughout the United States, including solo exhibitions at Michael Steinberg Gallery New York, Fusebox in Washington D.C., Genovese/Sullivan Gallery in Boston and White Columns New York. Group exhibitions have included Jason McCoy Gallery, Theodore Art, and Storefront Bushwick Gallery, among others. In 2010-2011, Peterson was awarded by The Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation, the Space Program in Brooklyn, New York, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Painting Fellowship Award in 2011, 2002, 1993 and the Visual Arts Fellowship Award, Edward F. Albee Foundation in 1988. His work has been reviewed and covered by Art in America, The Wall Street Journal, NY Arts Magazine, Whitehot Magazine, Site 95, The New York Sun, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Partisan Review.  He currently has a studio at The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts in New York City and resides in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Stair-Gazing: Valerie Molnar (Main Staircase), Valerie Molnar creates hand-knit acrylic yarn constructions in vibrant colors.

Painting Students of Raul Villareal (Joe & Marité Robinson Strolling Gallery II), this exhibition showcases recent works by student artists.

Educational Gallery Tours for adult and children’s groups are available starting October 6. Visit www.artcenternj.org for more information. Gallery Hours: Monday – Wednesday and Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Thursday 10:00am – 8pm; and Saturday & Sunday 11am – 4pm. Please call 908-273-9121 to confirm holiday hours.

Programs Related to Doppler Shift:

Stop & Go 3-D Screening

Wednesday, October 1, 7:00pm

Join us for a screening of animated short films curated by exhibiting artist, Sarah Klein. These films play with your visual senses as they incorporate optical elements and stereoscopic 3-D animations. Red/Cyan 3-D glasses will be provided. Tickets: Non-members: $10; Members and children under 12: $5.

An Afternoon of New Music 

Sunday, November 9, 2:00 pm

Lend us your ears for an afternoon program of new and experimental music by a roster of exciting performers. Curated by exhibiting artist Stephen Maine. Tickets: Non-members: $10; Members and children under 12: $5.

Art Afternoon: Gallery Walk & Talk

Sunday, January 11, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

All are invited for a unique opportunity to discuss the exhibition and artwork with the exhibiting artists and curator. $5 Gallery admission fee. Free for members.

ABOUT THE VISUAL ARTS CENTER OF NEW JERSEY

For more than 80 years, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey has been exclusively dedicated to viewing, making and learning about contemporary art. Recognized as a leading non-profit arts organization, the Art Center’s renowned studio school, acclaimed exhibitions, and educational outreach initiatives serve thousands of youth, families, seniors and people with special needs every year in the tri-state region.