Current and Upcoming Exhibits

Rulon Art Gallery and Studio
1428 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
(856)-241-0368
Gallery hours: Thurs.-Sun.
http://www.rulon-art-studio-and-gallery.com/Contact.html

AENJ Members' Art Exhibit!
James Howe Gallery in the Vaughn Eames Hall of Kean University in Union, NJ.
The exhibit will be on display from June 9th through July 10th
Closing reception:
July 10th from 4:30 - 6:30 pm
http://www.kean.edu/~finearts/galleries/

Sweet Simplicity
Jude Harzer solo exhibit
The Bank
20 N. Main St.
Allentown, NJ

This collection of recent small works, can be viewed during business hours.All art is available for purchase.This exhibit is made possible by the Allentown Art Guild in Allentown, NJ.
http://www.allentownartguild.org/about.html

School of Visual Arts
New York City
Open Studio Exhibition: Thursday, August 6 from 6-9pm
141 West 21 Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10011 Tel: 212-592-2188

Trenton Artists Workshop Association Members Show
"Dreaming"exhibit
August 14 through September 4,2009.
Opening reception:Friday, August 14 from 6- 9 pm.
Gallery 125
125 South Warren St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
609.989.9119
http://www.gallery125.com

Jude Harzer's works on display
Asbury Park Yoga and Dance
703 Mattison Ave.
Asbury Park, NJ

Join Joel for a Rockin' Celebration of Art and Music

Don't miss the party!

An extra special invitation from gallery owner, Joel Monneson of the Mattison Gallery:
Hi Folks, It’s definite. Mattison Gallery, in it’s physical manifestation, come the first of June, will be a thing of the past.
But, we’re going to go out rockin’…

Saturday May 30th 7pm - ? at:
Mattison Gallery
701 Mattison Avenue
Asbury Park NJ 07712

Live music, FREE refreshments, FREE admission So, please join me in closing out the experience on a high note, in a celebration of art and music, surrounded by friends and family. Hope to see you before the end of the month! Enjoy!

Regular hours until May 31, 2009 Tues – Wed noon – 6pm Thurs – Sat noon – 10pm Sunday noon – 6pm Closed Monday

See you there ~ Jude

How Long Have I Been Sleeping?

My painting, "How Long Have I Been Sleeping?", is about personal "awakening".It celebrates those "aha" moments when I felt as though a veil had been lifted from my eyes and from my heart and suddenly I was able to see myself and others as never before.These experiences have led to significant personal changes, the most important being the rediscovery of my art and a whole lot of self forgiveness and forgiveness of others in my life.
"How Long Have I Been Sleeping?" is currently on display at the TriCity Arts event in Asbury Park, NJ.
The thing is, once we have been awakened to "who" we are and honestly consider our choices, our purpose and our dreams, it is difficult to fall back to sleep. Hmmm...insomnia is not always a pleasant state of being:)

"That she was seeing with different eyes and making the acquaintance of new conditions in herself that colored and changed her environment, she did not yet suspect."...
"The past was nothing to her; offered no lesson which she was willing to heed. The future was a mystery which she never attempted to penetrate. The present alone was significant..." ....
"I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself. I can't make it more clear; it's only something which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me." quotes from The Awakening Kate Chopin 1899

An interesting read:Transforming Dreams: Learning Spiritual Lessons from the Dreams You Never Forget Kelly Bulkeley 1986

My Upcoming Exhibits: Please Join Me

National Association of Women Artists
120th Annual Exhibition
Opening Reception: May 17th
1-4 pm
at the
Salamagundi Art Club
47 5th Ave.
New York, NY
May 11-29,2009

TriCity Arts Tour returns for another three-day festival
May 15-17, 2009
3 Towns. 3 Days. 3 Times the Fun!
Red Bank · Long Branch · Asbury Park.
http://www.tricityartstour.com
My work will be on display in Asbury Park at
The Asbury Park Design Center
513 Cookman Avenue
Opening Night
May 16, 2009
6-10 pm


AENJ Members' Art Exhibit!
This year's exhibit will be held once again at the
James Howe Gallery in the Vaughn Eames Hall of
Kean University in Union, NJ.
June 15th through July 9th

Closing reception
for all artists,their friends and families on
July 9th from 4:00 - 6:00 pm

There is much more to come. Stay tuned for dates and times. Hope to see you appreciating art....somewhere, some day:)

Worth the Trip! Art and Inspiration!

Spring has sprung and the forecast this weekend is "set" to be mild and sunny..a perfect time to seek inspiration and view some incredible art. I visited three friends and fellow artists this week. Pure sunshine amid the rain! If you get a chance ,visit these guys and be sure to say Jude sent you.

1. Ellarslie Trenton City Museum: Hurry in and see the tail end of the current exhibit:Made You Look: The Art of Deception
Deborah Raven, Eric Schultz and Natalie Featherston
February 28, 2009 - April 19, 2009. It really is a "must see." I especially liked Eric's monumental sculptures, constructed from recycled metal and other materials. His use of discarded auto parts,light fixtures,aluminum,steel,hardware and wire have been perfectly married to form interesting high tech figures that strangely seem "life like.". These found object masterpieces are silver,shiny and highly intriguing!

While visiting,say hello to Brian O. Hill, the director of The Trenton City Museum, who prides himself on sharing this NJ artistic gem and whose efforts during his 10 years as director , have resulted in an incredible increase in attendance and renewed interest in the museum!(You can't miss him...he greatly resembles Santa!) Soon to open is the annual juried exhibition," the Ellarslie Open, which highlights the abundance of regional artistic talent. This exhibit provides visitors with an opportunity to view the finest regional work from the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania area, as well as work from as far away as California." To read more about Ellarslie visit: http://www.ellarslie.org

"The museum is located in Ellarslie Mansion, an Italianate villa built in 1848. The mansion is the centerpiece of Cadwalader Park, which was designed by the famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, whose most famous work is New York City's Central Park."

2. Today I met with Joel Monesson, artist and director of the Mattison Gallery in Asbury Park. I was fortunate to have my first solo exhibit at the Mattison Gallery in February.Join Joel and artist Melissa Bronwen Pyle on Friday evening, April 17, 2009 , 7-10 pm for the opening of Pyle's show "Heaven Over Earth." Her resin pieces and large scale round landscapes are spectacular!Live music and refreshments are a plus! Joel is busy working on several very provocative contemporary plaster sculptures for his own upcoming exhibit in May. If you can't find him to talk about art,music or building restoration or preservation, check out the band! Joel can be found playing harmonica or a host of other instruments with the very talented Colie Brice and Friends.And Joel would much rather be sculpting and playing music, than talking anyway:)
http://www.mattisongallery.com/

3. To make the day absolutely awesome, I visited Jim Inzero,Jersey Shore based encaustic painter. Jim and I successfully exhibited together last November. Both of us have been very fortunate with recent sales and commissions but Jim, especially,despite the recent economic down turn,has been selling at a consistent pace to very saavy and appreciative customers ! We discussed our shared enthusiasm and the ever increasing momentum of our careers and ideas! We both agree, the best is yet to come. Visit Jim's site http://shoreartist.blogspot.com/ to view his colorful wax creations or stop by and visit Jim and his wife Lauren in Pt. Pleasant Beach at their trendy yet tasteful,gift and clothing boutique, Stella e Luna.http://stellaeluna.blogspot.com/

And now I am off to prepare for my highly anticipated trip to beautiful Minneapolis for the National Art Educator's Association's annual conference.http://www.naea-reston.org This event is the largest of it's kind in the WORLD. I am more than excited:) I am confident that I will bring back a wealth of ideas and information that will influence my work and the work of my students. I also happen to be traveling with a very esteemed group of Art educators/artists. These people are seriously like the "rock stars" of the Art education world.In New Orleans, I swear people wanted their autographs! Very cool! I am more like a starry eyed groupie just tagging along:)

Prints of my work can be purchased at the Mattison Gallery and at the Trenton City Museum gift shop.

Chance Encounters: Diane Raver and the Garden State Film Festival

I have been very fortunate to have had some very amazing and talented people "appear" and "reappear" in my life.When my son Robert was just 3, I enrolled him,against my better judgment, in a pre-school program. I was prompted to make this decision based on my past experience with his older sister, whose first academic experience was Kindergarten. She found it torturous, not because of the school itself but because it was too much fun being with Mommy all day (that would be me). When it came time to separate, Christina resisted. And so in order to avoid a similar experience with Robert, I found an "appropriate" pre school program. Robert was not happy with my decision. Actually he was down right miserable. I quickly removed him from the first school but found a very nurturing and "intimate" program that he grew to like:)...I dare not exaggerate by saying "love!"

So what is the point of this post?...Well, on the first day at this small Jersey shore school, while all of the other parents were departing after exchanging hugs and kisses and assuring their children that they would pick them up after snack, I stayed behind.I promised Robert that I would remain if he would genuinely make the effort and give the school a try. I sat, tears streaming down my face, painfully watching Robert with tears streaming down his face, as he reluctantly particpated in circle time.This went on for days! Yikes! It seems like yesterday. One other mother sat beside me, her eyes, tear filled as well.She comforted me and offered sincere empathy and sympathy.

That is how I met, the very beautiful and talented Diane Raver 13 years ago!(This is the point of my post:)At the time, I was not an art educator or a practicing artist and Diane had not yet lost her husband to a tragic illness or become the director of the Garden State Film Festival. We were mothers and two very passionate and creative women,connected by similar outlooks on life and love of our children.
Diane recently attended two of my major art exhibits. She is a wonderful source of support. And now, I get to support this dynamic woman as a volunteer for her 7th annual film festival. I will serve as one of the "czarinas" at her weekend event,April 2-5 in Asbury Park, NJ.

So let me introduce to you, Diane Raver, a 25 year film industry veteran(aka preschool class mom)."Her Garden State Film Festival was born in 2002 after her chance encounter in a Sea Girt, NJ Grocery store with the well known Hollywood actor Robert Pastorelli. Through his deep ties to Hollywood, Mr. Pastorelli and Ms. Raver were able to bring the State of New Jersey an all encompassing event. It premiered in 2003 and was immediately deemed a huge success. Since that time, such industry notables such as Glenn Close, Frank Vincent, Batman producer Michael Uslan, Austin Pendleton, Kurtwood Smith, James Gandolfini, Budd Schulberg and others have lent their support."

"GSFF is an all volunteer non-profit organization. Our event is held on an annual basis in the spring of each year at the Paramount Theater/Convention Hall complex as well as other venues in Asbury Park, New Jersey and surrounding area."

Check out the GSFF website for a schedule of events. This year's festival is certain to be bigger and better than ever.
http://www.gsff.org
I am so proud of Diane. We are both chasing our dreams!
Chance encounters are wonderful things.You never know who you will meet and how they will change your life.

Serendipity

The Success of Serendipity

On Saturday, February 7th, I had my very first solo art exhibit! It was entitled "Serendipity" and took place at the Mattison Gallery in Asbury Park, NJ.
The weather was unseasonably warm...a perfect day to walk around this historic shore town.And the opening was just as perfect!

2009 has started for me with a string of successes...not break out the fireworks,cash in the bank kind of success but genuinely valuable and life changing achievements. I had my first solo exhibition in a beautiful gallery. I sold work during a harsh economic time because I believe that art is necessary, healing and inspiring and witnessed that others feel the same. I completed 16 new pieces in an insanely short amount of time and participated in organizing and hanging 42 recent works with my husband,Bobby and the gallery owner,Joel Monesson, a truly kind and gentle soul.I shared work with family, friends, colleagues,fellow artists and passers by, hundreds of them. I was able to feature images of my children, nieces and nephews who inspire me with their pure and natural beauty.

These may seem like minor successes to some but just three years ago, I was painfully rediscovering my own art, wondering if I could ever complete even one painting that showed any competence.For 18 years I waited and feared and regretted. And now, I am awed that my passion, my effort and my time have resulted in this monumental moment. I am confident that I will actually grow up to become and artist:) and am genuinely grateful that others continue to join me to "see" and share in my dream.

Thank you,everyone who attended, those who sent their congratulations, those who have helped me and supported me throughout this 3 year process.A special thank you to my extraordinary family, my husband and children, my sisters and brothers who endured the unimaginable as children, all of their incredible families,and my mother whose life inspired me to demand better for myself and for all children.

Finally,to my friends and fellow artists, my life is one of pure abundance because of you. You enrich my life with your encouragement and friendship.
May you always find beauty in the world around you. It is there! I promise!

Jude's exhibit: Feb. 7, 2009

Please join me for the opening of my first ever solo exhibition,SERENDIPITY,at the Mattison Gallery in Asbury Park, NJ....home of the Stone Pony (Bruce Springsteen's old stomping grounds), the Garden State Film Festival, Tilly, Convention Hall and much more!

It also happens to be Mardi Gras:"First Saturday",a monthly dining,shopping and entertainment event in historic downtown Asbury Park!Hope to see you there!

Empty Nest Means New Art Space

So my beloved muse, my beautiful T-bunny,my one and only Christina ballerina, I have a confession to make...your room has become the "finishing" room for my work. I resisted encroaching upon, yet another family space with my art, but I was in need of a clear, horizontal surface and your room offered several:) So you asked about Mommy's work, well here is some. I actually packed up a dozen other images to transport to the gallery. I know you would approve by letting me invade the "Beachbum" room for the sake of completing my work:)

You will be missed at my opening. I have been in desperate need of your "eyes" and your biting sarcastic critiques but I managed on my own.I'll email you new work and you can comment all you want.

So the show is installed this weekend in historic Asbury Park, NJ. Hope you are having fun in the sun ,Tia. Also look, I am holding a piece featuring my most recent muse, your baby brother who is now nearly 6 feet tall,braces free and set to drive. Yikes!

We miss you Christina Autumn. Your absence makes me realize how noisy and messy you were. This show is for you and Diesel. Never abandon your dreams!

Jude's Solo Exhibition:Serendipity

Serendipity