Pastel paintings by Eleni and Ernest Antholis are among the works on display and on sale, during an “Off the Wall” fundraiser for Friends of the Middletown Library that includes a Saturday afternoon reception.
It’s being branded as an Off the Wall art exhibit; an event in which the multiple-media works of a couple of Middletown’s most prolific artists is “literally coming ‘off their walls’ to yours.” A benefit for the Friends of the Middletown Township Public Library, the installation (on view now inside MTPL’s Community Room gallery space) spotlights more than 100 original watercolor paintings, pastels, ink drawings and photographs — all of them the work of one particularly busy township-based couple, Helen (“Eleni”) and Ernest Antholis.
The artists (a sampling of whose works can be seen here) are expected to be present for the exhibit’s official opening reception this Saturday, June 13 from 2 to 4 pm. Attendees are invited to meet Eleni and Ernest; observe a pastel-painting demo, enjoy some complimentary refreshments, and browse a collection of work that’s available for purchase, with one third of all proceeds dedicated to the Friends of MTPL and their ongoing mission of helping make possible the library’s many art, music, film, lecture, and instructional programs for kids and adults.
With subjects that range from intimate Jersey Shore seascapes and intimate still life studies, to National Park vistas and even the occasional trek to outer space, the eclectic sampling of styles from the Antholis home studio will remain on display at the library through July 1 — a timeline that warrants repeated visits, as the exhibit will be refreshed with new and different pieces throughout the month of June. More information on the show is available by calling (732)787-5890 or emailing [email protected].
