The public is invited to see and buy art curated and displayed for more than 22 years at Meil’s Restaurant in Stockton in an exhibition at New Hope Arts until Aug. 17 at 2 Stockton Ave., New Hope.
The private collection of regional artists, cultivated over the last 22 years, features dozens of painters, printmakers, sculptors and craftsmen. A portion of the sales of works benefits New Hope Arts.
Kristen and Michael Meil opened their name sake restaurant in Stockton in 1990. As a destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner favored by residents and visitors alike, the art collection decorating the interior grew with the restaurant’s reputation.
In the early days, Kristen was known to trade art work for an equal-value tab at the restaurant; art for food became an arrangement favored by many artists who were beginning their careers.
The collection grew beyond the space of the two dining rooms of the restaurant. The practice of changing the restaurant show seasonally developed into theme displays — like baseball, pets, desserts — with no two exhibitions alike mounted about six times per year.
The Meils retired from the restaurant business in 2012.
A short list of artists included in the show includes Nancy Ashman, Robert Beck, Dot Bunn, Tom Burkner, Myles Cavanaugh, James Cascio, James Feehan, Jane Gilday, Paul Matthews and Susan Roseman.
Kristen Meil was also a great patron of the Lambertville Shad Festival Poster Auction scholarship fundraiser each April. On sale are about 100 framed shad festival posters by local artists.
