Painter to exhibit work in Bordentown gallery.
By: Jessica Beym
For Cranbury artist Nadine Berkowsky, finding galleries in the area to show her work has never been a problem.
The challenge, she says, is finding shows that have works that complement her realist oil paintings.
"It’s hard to find a gallery where your work fits in," said Ms. Berkowsky, who has been painting still lifes and landscapes for about 20 years. "You have to go by what the owner’s taste is."
Luckily, the owner of the Bordentown Gallery on Farnsworth Avenue thinks Ms. Berkowsky’s work fits right in.
Last month, John Schroeder decided to represent Ms. Berkowsky and hung nine of her oil still-life paintings on the walls of his three-year-old gallery.
"I have a lot of realistic pieces. No abstracts. I tend to stay with the more traditional pieces and her work complements that well," he said.
Mr. Schroeder is not an artist, but has been an avid art collector for most of life. Ms. Berkowsky said the owner’s outside view gives him an opportunity to discuss and select the artists’ work without bias.
"The owner is very much interested in collecting art and selling what he likes," said Ms. Berkowsky.
Ms. Berkowsky said she submitted twice the amount of pieces than what was accepted, many of which were landscapes, but only her still-life paintings were chosen.
"Hopefully if he sells a lot for me, he’ll keep me there. The gallery seems to be very successful," said Ms. Berkowsky.
The Bordentown Gallery features work from about 20 other artists, some local, some nationally renowned, said Mr. Schroeder.
A variety of mediums are displayed, including oil, pastel and watercolor, as are a variety of subjects, including flowers, still lifes, landscapes and oceans, and the prices range from $200 to $3,000.
"I’m always interested in looking at the work and if there’s room and it complements what I already have, I’ll accept it," said Mr. Schroeder.
In addition to the Bordentown Gallery, Ms. Berkowsky currently has her work showing at the Johnson and Johnson gallery in Skillman.
In the past, she has been shown at the Phillip’s Mill Art Exhibition in New Hope, Pa., the Monroe Public Library and Cranbury’s Gourgaud Gallery for the Art in the Park Garden Series.
"Wherever there is a place, I will try to show it," said Ms. Berkowsky, who is a member of The Art Group, a group of 10 Central Jersey female artists who meet to discuss their work and look for different galleries to exhibit.
The Bordentown Gallery is located at Farnsworth Avenue in Bordentown and is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Fridays. For more information, call the Bordentown Gallery at (609) 298-5556.

