Original wheelmaking factory shows off art business Saturday
By John Tredrea, Special Writer
During the Civil War, The Spoke Works lived up to its name and then some, manufacturing as many 400 heavy-duty wheels a day, to carry the Union Army’s cannons and wagons.
Located at 202 and 204 North Union St. in Lambertville, The Spoke Works will celebrate its reincarnation as a thriving business center, mirroring the city’s evolution from a busy industrial center in the 19th and early 20th century to the vital commercial and residential location it is now. Like the rest of Lambertville, the Spoke Works emphasizes the arts.
From 1 to 5 p.m. this Saturday (Nov. 16), the Spoke Works businesses are hosting an open studios event to showcase their skills and wares.
”Come meet the makers and doers at the corner of North Union and Elm Streets,” said Barney Stone, who has a shop at Spoke Works. “Feast your eyes on a variety of fine art and antiques. Treat your body to a free yoga, Pilates or acupuncture session at DIG Yoga.”
The places you can visit this Saturday offer much variety.
At 202 North Union St., you’ll find Malcolm Bray, a British-born abstract painter showing large paintings and a suite of new oils on paper in his second floor studio/loft. Also at that address is Joseph Bottari, a native Jersey painter and draftsman making contemporary abstract paintings influenced by Berlin’s Bauhaus movement.
At 204 North Union St., James Curran sells and restores antique furniture, and specializes in British imports. Robert Beck is an award-winning documentary painter and essayist who directs a fine art gallery and academy. Barney Stone makes unique constructions of cast and cold-worked glass, plus interactive kinetic sculptures with a humorous theme.
Also at the address is:
Don’t Toss It, a creative reuse marketplace, boutique and gallery dedicated to diverting used and surplus materials from landfills and redirecting them to artists and the community;
Ampersand Projects, an artist-run design studio, picture frame shop and retail store featuring a curated selection of vintage, upcycled and handmade goods;
Pellegrino Signs, which specializes in hand-carved mahogany, illustrated, gold-leafed, and hand-lettered signs by sign painter and fine artist Charlie Pellegrino;
Ogden Photographics, a commercial photography studio specializing in product, architectural , and landscape photography, and
DIG Yoga is a health-conscious, people-oriented yoga studio.