When tough economic times force state government to tighten the belt on historical and cultural art programs, small town South River is fortunate to have its very own Soho-chic art studio.
The downtown River Mill Art Gallery is not only a commercial framing shop, it also functions as a museum of original paintings, etchings, prints and photographs. The gallery’s curator, Michael Chan, is a professional art photographer whose passion and knowledge of art, combined with his constant friendliness, make him one of the most approachable and delightful experts in the field of fine arts.
Recently, the River Mill Art Gallery fully sponsored a student art exhibition with works selected by art teachers from schools in Milltown, South River and East Brunswick. On Saturday, June 14, the gallery held an opening reception framed in red and white balloons and served with light refreshments. The budding, smiling artists received recognition, praise and homemade fudge brownies with the unique opportunity of viewing their accomplishments hung for the very first time in customized picture frames.
In attendance were Mayor Robert P. Szegeti and local Borough Council members, art teachers from the respective schools, parents and siblings of the student artists, as well as the student participants themselves and numerous other enthusiastic patrons of the arts. The highlight of the ceremony occurred when Joseph Csatari picked the winning raffle ticket for one of his own signed and framed fine art prints. Mr. Csatari, an internationally acclaimed artist who has remained faithful to his hometown roots, remained on hand to provide professional wisdom and sincere encouragement to both the teachers and developing artists.
A few of the more than 60 artworks had sold at the opening reception, but many parents were so pleased and proud of their children’s work that they kept committed to the NFS (not for sale) tag. Instead, parents became busy making interior design decisions regarding what wall at home would offer the best light to showcase the family’s very own masterpiece.
Mr. Chan deserves to be acknowledged and applauded for all of his voluntary efforts and personal funding for a good cause for our kids, especially during a fiscal year when the piggy bank in Trenton is rolling over empty. The student art exhibition has helped to activate a minicultural art movement in town that adds a great deal of Norman Rockwell charm to Main Street.
I hope we can look forward to many more art shows in the not so far off future. For now, the student art exhibition continues until Aug. 9. All local residents are recommended to pay a free visit to the River Mill Art Gallery to browse around and take hold of the beauty and talent on the wall that all started with one merchant’s considerate, brilliant and local idea.
Michael Szewczyk
South River