Nails in the Wall Gallery, the Metuchen exhibition space sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, will begin its 2013 season 2-5 p.m. Jan. 19 with ‘Windows on Heaven: Contemporary Icons.” This exhibit will feature multiple works by six well-known iconographers, several who “write” religious icons in the very traditional Byzantine style, others who, while they work in that spirit, have developed a very personal approach to icon painting. The exhibit runs from Jan. 19 through May 15, 2013
Included in the exhibit is the work of Christine Simoneau Hales, Philmont, N.Y.; Suzanne Schleck, Toms River, N.J.; and Patrick Shea, Queens, N.Y. All are noted professional iconographers who paint in the exacting Byzantine tradition, while Sandy Mezinis, award-winning Metuchen, N.J., watercolorist, creates highly personal images, which she identifies as icons. Additionally included is the work of Montclair artist Christina Saj, whose icons are a modernist’s abstract reinterpretation of the traditional style. Finally, several three-dimensional sculptural icons by West Orange artist Sybil Archibald will be included in the exhibit.
Depth of spirituality, conversion, transformation and suffering are presented by each of these artists in dramatically different ways, yet all are visually relevant to our times.
During the Opening of “Windows on Heaven,” the gallery will also partner with the N.J. Symphony to host its Art Strings project. Ten small violins — exquisitely painted by artists from around the state — will be on display.
“We are delighted that the N.J. Symphony accepted our invitation to include the Art Strings project as part of the Opening of the Icon exhibit. We believe partnering with the symphony in this way will be highly beneficial for both arts organizations,” said Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella, gallery director.
Gallery hours are: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella at 732-906-4137 or [email protected].