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Arts & Entertainment

Belmar Arts Council Introduces New Exhibit

An opening reception was held Saturday, July 16 to showcase new displays

Fragments: An Enterprise in Mixed-Media Art is the newest exhibit at the [BAC], which was introduced Saturday night at the memorable opening ceremony.

On River Road in Belmar, artists, art enthusiasts, family and friends gathered to commemorate the pieces that will be on display until Aug. 20.

The purpose of the displayed art work was for the pieces to be fragmented, according to Alison Bowie, curator of the art alongside Alexandra Martin. Some examples that were given to prospective artists included collages, mosaics and cubism, according to Bowie.

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“The idea was to take pieces of different things and make them whole,” Bowie said.

The curators and artists of the exhibit, Bowie and Martin put a call out for fragmented art, which they received on July 9. The different works were then judged by Riccardo Berlingeri, “a wonderful, wonderful man,” Bowie said.

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“It gave me personal joy to see him critique the art,” Bowie said. “He conducted a blind judging; he didn’t know who was who.”

The entry fee was $10 a piece for BAC members and $15 for non-members. Artists were restricted to a three piece limit, and were notified on July 12 of their acceptance.

Out of 49 entries vying to be displayed at the BAC, 39 were juried in, according to Bowie.

“We didn’t want too many pieces,” Bowie said. “We wanted each piece to have their own space, to have their own air and room to be appreciated individually.”

Unique works of art were scattered on the walls as they were enjoyed and appreciated by guests and fellow artists who wandered the room and enjoyed drinks and light snacks.

One piece of work particularly stood out, as a blue ribbon was situated next to the shining, fragmented display.

Asbury Park artist, Marilyn Ambler was awarded first place for her piece entitled “Glass and Steel.”

Glass and steel were indeed used to create her award-winning creation that she has been working on for quite some time.

“I have been working on this over time. I was always really busy but since I retired, I was able to complete it,” Ambler said as she looked proudly on her piece.

“I tried to abstract what is man made,” she continued. “For me, it portrays the feeling of the city and the difference between light and heavy.”

Ambler was joined by her grandson J.D., and his father Jon Leidersdorff who were thrilled to accompany her on this special day.

The evening continued with entertainment by African drums and dancers, Sister Isis, Christina Edwards and Tyrome Laws.

Sister Isis is one of Bowie’s students in her ceramics class, at the Long Branch Senior Center.

“I teach her at the Senior Center, and I had to get her to perform tonight,” Bowie said.

Laws engaged the crowd by giving them each different instruments, used to beat to specific rhythms. Through the beat of the drums, he created stories among audience members, as everyone willingly participated.

Guests of all ages were united by the beat created by the performers, which resulted in a marriage between two very distinct forms of art.

“I want to thank our wonderful entertainment,” Martin said. “We are really thrilled with this show and everyone that came out to see it and all of the wonderful artists. This energy is fabulous.”

“Fragments” will be on display through Aug. 20. All but 9 pieces are for sale from anywhere between $45 to $5,000.

For more information visit the website at www.belmararts.org, call 732-749-3360 or email info@belmararts.com

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