Hunterdon Art Museum adds sculpture to outdoor terrace

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
Started in 1952 and housed in a former grist mill, the Hunterdon Art Museum offers changing exhibits in contemporary arts, craft and design as well a full slate of instructive programs in the arts.
"We have several permanent exhibitions in addition to new ones that are regularly brought in," said Marjorie Nathanson, the executive director of the museum at 7 Lower Center St. in Clinton.
Constructed in 1836 and on the National Register of Historic Places, the stone museum is across the South Branch of the Raritan River from Clinton’s iconic Red Mill historical museum village.
On permanent outdoor display on the museum’s recently redesigned terrace is Tom Otteness’s bronze sculpture, "New Direction."
"Tom is an exceptional artist whose work is shown worldwide," Ms. Nathanson said. "’New Direction’ is a whimsical, cartoon-like sculpture. The main figure, who has a cone-shaped hat, is pointing toward our museum. The sculpture has a seat for visitors to the museum."
On permanent display inside the museum is "Tree," a ceramic sculpture by Toshiko Takaezu.
"She’s a wonderful artist whose work is shown in many countries," Ms. Nathanson said. "Toshiko is a Hunterdon County resident who taught at Princeton University for 25 years."
One of the exhibitions currently on the display at the museum is "A Clay Bestiary." It features artists from Canada, the United States, South Korea and other countries. "Ceramic artists depict animals in unique ways," Ms. Nathanson said. "The work here is very imaginative. It’s on display now in our main gallery."
Another exhibition, "The Consciousness of Infinite Goodness," shows paintings by Giovanna Cecchetti. "They’re abstract paintings, but based on texts in Sanskrit," Ms. Nathanson said. "Some of the paintings also refer to the Hindu deity Siva."
A third exhibition now being shown is "Warren Muller: Luminary."
Said Ms. Nathanson: "He works with found objects and light. When you walk into the room where his work is displayed, there is a mysterious, evocative atmosphere that’s really unique. He literally ’sees the light’ in the most mundane and ordinary objects imaginable, suspending bottles, perfume containers, old hay baling equipment, hubcaps, bowling pins, toy cars, deer antlers, porcelain figurines, candy dishes, metal lunch boxes, bikes, traffic light lenses, and even a retro Mini Cooper car to create sculptures of light. "
Also being shown now is the museum’s 2014 Members Collection. "Many members of our museum are artists," Ms. Nathanson said. "This is a juried show."
The museum has "a very active educational program," Ms. Nathanson said. "We work with the community a lot of ways. Each year, we have hundreds of classes in the arts for children and adults, including adults with disabilities. We also work with area schools, and have programs for students both in their schools and here in our museum. And we have programs with in the juvenile justice system as well."