Hightstown Borough’s Art Station is planning an open house to display work of local artists.
By: David Pescatore
HIGHTSTOWN An eclectic gathering of local artists will be opening its door to the public on Dec. 6, welcoming visitors to the fall open house at Art Station Studios on Monmouth Street.
"There is a synergy among the artists here that draws people to us," said studio owner Roger Cook, 77. "The artists wanted to do this to show their work."
According to Mr. Cook, most of Art Station’s 16 tenant-artists will be displaying art ranging from paintings and sculpture to pottery and woodcarvings.
Visitors to the open house can view completed works, many of which will be for sale, speak to artists about commissioning original pieces, and glimpse into the workplaces where artisans craft their wares. Some of the artists also offer classes in their areas of expertise.
"We’ll clean up a bit first," said muralist Robert Hummel of Jamesburg, whose 8-foot by 12-foot studio was overrun with supplies and paintings in various stages of completion.
Mr. Hummel creates murals for homes and businesses, but currently is working on putting a seascape on the back wall of a building neighboring Art Station.
"I see the cement buildings around here and think there should be something. You don’t see many outdoor murals around here," said the 37-year-old Plainsboro resident.
Mr. Hummel said that Mr. Cook suggested the mural to complement a patio recently built for the artists.
"Roger put in the patio for us to paint and talk about our art. He asked me to do the mural to complete the project," Mr. Hummel said.
The mural creates the illusion of gazing through an ivy-covered trellis, across a boardwalk, and out into the ocean. It gives one the perception that land could be off in the distance, but it is hard to be sure.
Among the other artists expected to attend the open house is Monroe’s Judy Stein. At 79 years old, Ms. Stein describes herself as "the elder statesman of Art Station."
Mr. Cook said that Ms. Stein is the abstract artist of the group, but she insists that she dabbles in realism as well.
John Murdoch, 32, paints portraits and still-lifes from his first-floor studio.
"I like to bring people in here for portraits. This is a controlled environment. Besides, that way I can talk to the person as I work. I like the social aspect," said the Princeton resident.
Academy Street resident Jeff Stauder will be there debuting his series on the (somewhat fictionalized) history of John Hight, the founder of Hightstown. His latest piece depicts Mr. Hight slaughtering the Peddie Lake Whale and claiming the body of water for us all.
Mr. Stauder, 33, said that moving from New York allowed him to redefine his style.
"When you move from the art capital of the world to not the art capital of the world, it allows you to recenter," he said.
Art Station has served many uses since the John Bull train frequented it many years ago.
Mr. Cook bought the former farmer’s depot in 1985 to serve as a workshop where he could work on his latest invention, a medical cushion that would eliminate bedsores.
"It turned out that the idea wouldn’t work commercially, so I put out a sign for rentals," Mr. Cook said.
After two carpentry businesses failed in the space, Mr. Cook was contacted by an artist who wanted to know if the space was suitable for use as a studio.
"There was no heat or insulation, so I told them they could use it in the spring and fall," he said.
Fortunately, that was not good enough, and after two years of renovating the building himself, Mr. Cook had seven studios and an office. Further renovations added a second floor and created the current 16-room facility.
"We are eternally grateful to Roger," Mr. Hummel said. "He could have easily turned this into office space and gotten more for rent."
"But it would not have been as much fun," Mr. Cook said.
Art Station will be open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 443-1386.