You Are Invited!

My fellowship this summer at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, has resulted in some amazing experiences and opportunities!I was invited, along with some of my colleagues, by curator Ellie Colon,to exhibit in a group show, The Essential Music and Art Show on October 17th. The lineup of artists,musicians and entertainers is impressive! The space has expanded to a 15,000 square ft. gallery and 10,ooo square ft.rooftop area. It will be a worthwhile event!Hope to see you there!
Essential Music and Art Show with Kate Simko
Date / Saturday, 17 October 2009
Time / 2pm - 6am
Venue / Chelsea,NYC
Cost / $20 / $15 presale

Line-up /
Special guests:

Kate Simko - Ghostly International, Kupei Musika, Traum
Derek Plaslaiko - Spectral, The Bunker
Mikael Stavöstrand - Adjunct, Auralism, Sunset Diskos
Shadi Megallaa - Leftroom, Kalimari, Tic Tac Toe, Igloo
Eddie Krilov - Musique Risquée, Less
Steven Letigre - Autobrennt, Subtropical
Thomas Hildebrand - Microcosm, Anticipate, Backseat Buzz
eVa - Fine Diving, Backseat Buzz
Borne - Microcosm, Anticipate, Image Node
Burchan Acar - Temple Records
Bruce Tantum - Time Out New York
Junior White - Vinyl Care Records
Silva - Japan
Science vs Nature - Live Act

More TBA

Promoter /
LESS Events, Essential

Visual arts exhibition will feature over 70 artists including photographers, painters, sculptors, body painters, VJs, performers and designers.

Art show curated by Ellie Colon
Hair by Sakura
Hosted by Gazelle

Admission: $25 / $20 reduced with rsvp@essentialshow.com. Limited number of $15 pre-sale tickets will be made available.

For more information and photos from previous events, please visit our website:
http://www.essentialshow.com/

Promotional links /
Essential

View My Album!

I am home at the Jersey shore, safe and sound. It is beautiful,quiet and green:)
I loved being in NYC but the experience has made me very aware of the abundance of my life at home.
Here are just some of my images from my time at the School of Visual Arts in NYC and the culminating exhibit. Click on the link below to view my album. I have posted one of my favorite images of my beautiful model Aurelia who has inspired some of my recent works. Thank you to her lovely parents, Jen and Francis, who escorted her to the exhibit:)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30327&id=1483745280&l=7f53b323a7

It's Showtime! SVA Summer Residency Artist's Exhibit!

Well the day has arrived! I am on my way to move furniture, sweep my studio and take care of last minute touches! Teaching and motherhood have greatly influenced my time management skills so actually I have been "ready" for several days and have gotten to relax, walk and do a bit of shopping. There were no end of "semester" all nighters for this "mature" artist but I did enjoy watching my young colleagues bond and work with oneanother late into the evening/morning:)
I am confident in what I produced, what I accomplished and the lessons I have learned. Throughout the day, if time allows, I'll post the exhibit preparations and works of friends. If not, I'll be certain to provide images and other artist's links, after the show.
I'll see many familiar faces in NYC this evening! I am excited but have forewarned my serious artist friends to be kind in their criticisms:) I'm sure they will fill be in later as to their experience of my work at SVA. It's all good! Peace and love 617! :)
Tonight! School of Visual Arts...21st Street...NYC...6-9 pm....4th Floor. Hope to see you there!

Bliss

It seems unbelievable that tomorrow I will have been in NYC for 2 weeks. Like a child, I wish I could stop time....but obviously I can't so I am making an effort to enjoy every moment. I will genuinely relay the depth and excitement of this experience at a later date when I have time to reflect and focus on my progress and accomplishments.
The past two days were pure bliss! Is this for real? I have uninterrupted time, supplies, space and am surrounded by artists and the art of New York City! On Thursday I painted for nearly 15 hours. I have abandoned the romantic idea of pulling all nighters because I am ,after all 45, and although I can manage one now and then, it takes me a day or two to recover. So is it worth it? Yes!!! I'm saving up prior to the exhibit when I'll need to create and complete work:)
Yesterday, not only did I paint but went to the Met with a beautiful German painter, Sabine, to see the Roxy Paine and Francis Bacon exhibits. Both were incredible! Roxy's welded steel Maelstrom provided inspiration for my new painted piece. And I have a new affection for the genius of the very tortured, tremendous and macabre talent and mind of painter Francis Bacon. Sabine and I had Indian food afterwards and it was back to the studio this morning. I cannot however seem to transfer the ideas quickly enough. I was advised to concentrate on technique and quality...and so I shall:)I wonder if I'm sleeping. If I am don't wake me. I need to finish painting first!

SVA Studio Sleepovers

My bed prior to the girl's arrival

My guests have arrived! My beautiful girls, Alyssa and my daughter and muse, Christina!

My first "all nighter" in the SVA artist's studios occurred, not because of my typical obsessive desire to create but because my daughter Christina and her friend, my honorary daughter, Alyssa, are visiting for the weekend and staying in my dorm room. I don't think they quite believed the limited size of the room, which can be likened to an oversized closet, or the compact bathroom in which you can(or rather must) simultaneously, shower, brush teeth, etc:)My dorm room is ideal as it serves a purpose. It is comfortable and safe despite its small size.Although not optimal for group sleepovers,it encourages focus in its simplicity. But my best option having guests, seemed to be to sleep on the floor of my studio. I actually slept very little.There were other equally obsessive and devoted students, one of which even offered me the use of her cot.Most students departed prior to 3 am. I recall lights, music, sounds from the city, before dozing close to 4.
I love this place! Art drives my colleagues, as it does myself. It is amazing to be amid people who value the same discipline. Today however, I will venture out with the girls and seek inspiration in Chinatown which I absolutely love.
Stay tuned for more art and some images from the city rather than the studio.
I also plan to share some wisdom from a lecture I attended yesterday by renowned art critic from New York Magazine, Jerry Saltz.I almost invited him for a sleepover because his wit, humor and brilliance were exhiliarating and engaging. I think, however, that would have been inappropriate but I certainly would have invited his wife, an equally renowned art critic, Roberta Smith from the NY Times to join us. I think I would have felt as though I were in heaven if I could have fallen asleep listening to the two of them exchange ideas, opinions and stories.
I know, I know, my kids think I am a geek as well.
Make your day magical, wherever you be:)

Making Magic In Manhattan cont'd

Jude on her dorm room bed, dreaming of being an artist in NYC. Oh wait! It's not a dream any more...it's reality!
So already I am in the midst of day 3 of my art residency at SVA. Monday was our official orientation. We addressed the usual rules and regulations and then gathered as a group, under the direction of our professor Alois Kronschlager to view images of oneanother's work and to discuss our backgrounds and artistic philosphies.
It was impressive, amazing but exhausting. SVA's program welcomes a very select group of artists, either emerging or mid career, to participate in their summer program under the direction of several prestigious professional artists and professors. The group is culturally and artistically diverse which makes it even more interesting.

Well, all I can say is, I'm in heaven:) No really it is awesome. My intention was to relate every aspect of my experience in real time but that is difficult to do when I am painting 10 or more hours a day and then trying to sleep in my room which I converted into a second makeshift studio. It is technically a single dormitory size room (i.e. an oversized closet sized space) but it is perfect! So I had to sleep with a roll of wire mesh and a maple panel on my bed:)

My actual studio space on 21st Street in the SVA Fine Art facility,faces the street across from DaVinci Art Supplies. I have approximately 24 linear feet of wall space and more if needed. To best illustrate my amazing experience to date, I will post a few images and promise to recount in more depth, the happenings at SVA. I love that I can easily navigate between my studio and my temporary "home". It really is a dream come true. I emailed my children this evening, reminding them to never abandon their wishes.With effort, persistence and patience, they can make their dreams a reality. I'm chasing mine, making magic in Manhattan. Enjoy!

My studio/dorm room. Shhh! Don't tell:)
New Art in Process!
The view from my room on 23rd Street and Lexington!
My studio at the School of Visual Arts in NYC on the 4th Floor at 21st Street. Note the bare white walls on Tuesday morning...look at the photos from Wednesday evening! I am in heaven, I know it!

2 days worth of studio time! I am really painting!

Miss Judy Makes Magic in Manhattan

As a Geraldine Dodge Fellow, I was awarded funding as part of a visual arts initiative to use toward furthering my career as an emerging artist and educator. I chose to study painting and mixed media in an art residency program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. One way in which I decided to share my experience with the foundation and with my students,was to create posts for my blog which will include images of my works in process and places,people and other sources of inspiration that the city will undoubtedly provide.

That sounds easy! However, having been here for only a day, I realize the abundance of visual inspiration, has me reeling and has already exhausted my mind and my camera battery and memory:) So in order to begin I decided simply to post a few simple images that reinforced why I chose New York as the location of what I believe will be a life and career altering experience. I walked from my 23rd Street residence to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, passing landmark structures and monuments like the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. As appealing and significant as they are, that is not what inspired and attracted my attention today.

The city spoke to my heart and mind on this spectacular summer Sunday. I recently created a painting entitled, Dandelion Dreams and there before me emerged what I "saw" as the most beautiful and monumental dandelions of all:two fountains located at 6th Avenue & 54th/55th Streets.They were radiant and ethereal,lightly emitting feathery sprays of moisture on passers by. They were christening them with wishes. I love dandelions and associate them with whispered wishes and dreams. I feel as though NY is where my dreams will begin to take shape and become real. I wished in wonder as I photographed those fountains. I always feel as though I tend to see beauty and promise, where others may only see "weeds".
Excited , I made my way through Central Park, Tisch's Children's Zoo and several of the playgrounds.I paint children and was distracted by the abundance of kids at play...all beautiful of diverse ages and nationalities. What struck me were the public sculptures and banners bearing text and art. In the James Michael Levin playground, an incredible stone sculpture of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland characters, was inscribed with his words: "In the depths of Despair, May You Never Lose Hope." Earlier, I read a banner draped from the eaves of an outdoor arbor in the zoo that read: "Let the Beauty We Love, Be What We Do." (J. Rumi, Afghanistan 1207-1273). I was mesmerized, wondering if others were as moved my the depth of meaning that these words expressed.At every turn, I felt inspired by the richness of the city.
Heading back toward Gramercy Park, I passed the storefront windows of Bergdorf Goodman's 5th Avenue store and stopped in awe. The displays, created by artists from the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore , Md. are a marriage of masterpiece and social,political and spiritual mindfulness. And once again, paired with the physical works, were words that incited and inspired: "Astonish Me" (Sergei Diaghilev)and Johnathan Swift's, "Vision is the art of seeing things invisible." It is as though I have awakened and am prepared to see clearly what has always been present.
And so, I am confident that NYC is where I belong this summer.I hope that you join me on my journey as I make magic in Manhattan:) Tonight I most definitely will begin to paint. Enjoy!
PS. I am only 2 blocks from a Home Depot which means lots of lovely hardware( i.e. cotter pins, screws, hexnuts,wire screen...........love this place)!

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

Summer Study in NYC 2009

Late Thursday afternoon, as the last of the students were dismissed for spring break,my Principal's voice was heard over the sound system in a voice much like that of the "lottery announcer"..."If Judy Harzer is still in the building, I am proud to announce that you are a recipient of the Geraldine Dodge Fellowship and will be studying as an artist in residence at the School of Visual Arts in NYC this summer!" This was how I was made aware of the award. As I ran and "wa-hooed" directly to the main office, I was greeted by hugs,kisses, high fives and genuinely heartfelt congratulations from staff and friends. I was elated and am excited by what this means for me! I dreamed of this moment in December but already know that the experience will be "better" than I had originally imagined.

In December, as I was completing my application, I asked my daughter to proof read my essays. She handed them back and simply said that all she read was "blah, blah,blah!" and explained that it sounded formal and impersonal which translates to uninteresting. My heart sank because I knew that she was right but I was exhausted and dreaded the time that it would take to revise and rewrite. She further commented that I have spent my life, teaching her and her brother to embrace and celebrate what is unique about them as individuals and to focus on their strengths. I raised them to know "my story" and to understand how it influenced who and what I am...but how it will never fully define who and what I will become. Christina seemed disappointed and implored me to share what is real and unique about myself and just start the process over. Cripes!... And so I did... and once again,this beautiful and brutally honest child of mine, provided the support and guidance that no one else could.She knows my heart and what it has taken for me to arrive at this place.

I cannot express at this time how much I need and want this opportunity. I am confident it will alter my work and dramatically influence my life. I had to choose between Rome and NYC as my preferred place to study. My objective is to work my butt off in my usual addictive and incessant way. NY will provide inspiration and so much more. It is the perfect place to get lost amid canvas,paint ,metal and wax. Rome, at this point in time, would have simply been a beautiful distraction.

I sealed the application with a kiss (really!!!) before sending it on it's way and I told my daughter that I would be living in NY and it is there that we would celebrate her 19th birthday...and so it will be. I'm chasing my dreams and there is so much more to come. So maybe next summer when I am living in Florence, Tia can blow out her candles near the Duomo or in the hills of Fiesole. That dream hasn't been clearly defined as of yet:)Thank you Christina Autumn!Dream huge!