By Amy Batista, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY — Painters returned to paint freely in town this past weekend.
Artists spent time gazing upon the scnerery and creating original works for the second annual Paint the Town Plein Air art show and sale, which took place on Sunday, June 9.
Artists moved their studios outdoors to work “en plein air” using various mediums — oil, watercolor, acrylics and collage — in scenic locations throughout Bordentown, starting June 7.
A day of painting then ran in conjunction with the fourth annual Green Fair on June 8, which was sponsored by the Bordentown City Green Team and Environmental Commission.
The festivities then came to a close on Farnsworth and Rail Road Avenues, adjacent to the Farnsworth House restaurant, after the art show and sale of the artists’ works. The artists finished painting 1 p.m. and the sale took place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Artists Angela Barbalace, Al Barker, Joe Rademan, and Lori Purcell were among many other artists who participated.
Artist Jeanne Bruneau was named the winner of Best in Show. Ms. Bruneau won $200. The win was announced during a gallery reception at the close of the weekend.
Resident Mikki Quinn, of Bordentown City, had her stained glass window painted by artist Tricia Hutman, of Bordentown Township.
”I liked the angle, and I ended up cropping out the bushes because I felt the angel ended up being the centerpiece,” said Ms. Hutman, adding it took her six hours to complete.
”It’s neat,” Ms. Quinn said.
Ms. Quinn is an art teacher and hopes to participate in the event in 2014.
Ms. Hutman also had the opportunity to paint with her 8-year-old daughter, Gigi.
”I think it’s wonderful,” Ms. Hutman said. “It’s fun. It’s a chance to get out.”
”It’s was forcing myself to actually do it,” Ms. Hutman said. “It’s something I don’t put the time aside for, and by doing this, I have to sit down and do the work and paint, and I actually do it.”
”It’s a great way to introduce people who might not normally come to Bordentown to see this wonderful historic community,” said Martha Press, owner and operator of The Farnsworth Gallery.
Approximately 300 people were estimated to have attended the three-day event.
”The quality of the work is exceptional, but it’s the spirit of the community,” Ms. Press added. “We had many children here as well as adults. Art is something that people can learn to enjoy from an early age and it includes all people.”
Kelly Kellet, of Bordentown City, said she was impressed how even the kids got involved in the voting.
”That child just took a ticket and voted for his favorite artists,” Ms. Kellett said. “You can’t beat that. To get the kids involved is wonderful.”
Mr. Lipartito, of Haddonfield, was told by a child, “Yo, representing Bordentown.”
”We had a wonderful representation this year of both oils and watercolors and acrylics and pastels,” Ms. Press saud. “The whole idea was for them to paint historic Bordentown City so all the images are somehow Bordentown City.”
”I love the town,” said Mr. Lipartito, who was participating for the first time.
”There were so many places to paint,” Mr. Lipartito added. “People were really friendly and a lot of people came up to talk to me and were really interested.”
According to Mr. Lipartito, in the one neighborhood he painted in, all the neighbors came out and spoke to him, and he found everyone to be “welcoming.”
”There were 47 paintings submitted,” stated Vicki Gaudier on Monday. She served as event coordinator.
The unsold paintings from the event will be on display and for sale at the Farnsworth Gallery.
She said the money would be used to “support the artists and the arts,” and noted that the show was not a fundraiser.
”Art relates to absolutely everything, to our vision, to our senses; it provides an opportunity to broaden our scope of how we see things and how other people see things,” Ms. Press said. “Artists are extraordinarily interesting.”
”Approximately 55 paintings were completed, and nearly 30 sold,” Ms. Gaudier said.
Sunday, Simmee Darpino, of Bordentown Township, was visiting her friend, Sweet Inspirations storeowner Joanne Aguilar, of Bordentown City. The pair decided to take a walk downtown.
”I truly love art and Bordentown,” Ms. Darpino said.
”So we came to see what the artists captured from the beauty of this town,” Ms. Aguilar said.
She said she admired the paintings on display as she pointed them out to her friend and discussed them.
”I love the watercolors,” Ms. Aguilar added.
”We are discussing oil color vs. watercolor vs. is this oil chalk,” Ms. Darpino said.
Ms. Aguilar said she felt the artists did “capture” the essence and “flavor” of the town, noting many of the restaurants were also represented.
For additional information, contact Ms. Press at The Farnsworth Gallery at 134 Farnsworth Ave. at 609-291-1931. Gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

