St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church takes its place among the works of art on display, with tours offered during the annual Canterbury Art Show that begins on Friday, August 29.
Returning to St. George’s by the River Episcopal Church in Rumson for the third consecutive year — and relocated to Labor Day weekend for the first time — the annual Canterbury Art Show…A Tapestry of the Arts event brings one of the area’s largest exhibitions and sales of juried and non-juried artwork back to the banks of the greater Green — with a grand “new” work of art taking center stage.
According to church Rector Ophelia Laughlin, “The building of St. George’s by-the-River is itself a masterpiece of art and 19th century architecture” — and this Saturday and Sunday, attendees will be able to take guided Architectural Highlight Tours of the church property at 7 Lincoln Avenue; a setting that’s framed by Laughlin as “a beloved venue for local artists to show off their God-given gifts for the rest of us to enjoy.”
More than 600 works by artists from all over New Jersey and beyond are expected to be on display and offered for sale at the three-day event, with show hours on Friday (11 am to 6 pm), Saturday (10 am to 6 pm) and Sunday (12 pm to 4 pm). Also on the agenda will be a special Meet the Artists reception on Friday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm.
A trio of distinguished local artists and gallery owners will be serving as jurors for this year’s exhibition — a panel that includes C. T. Peters Appraisal Service owner Charles T. Peters III, as well as Carol Lynn Chetkin, co-owner (with husband Donald) of Chetkin Gallery on Red Bank’s Wharf Avenue. They’re joined by award winning multi-medium artist Erik Johansen, a faculty member at Brookdale Community College for 25 years. The jurors will be selecting winning works in a variety of categories, including oils, watercolors, photographs, three-dimensional and mixed media entries.
A new Art from Artists Drawing will give attendees a chance to win a piece of art donated by many of the artists in the show each day. Each day, attendees will have the chance to purchase a chance drawing ticket and to place that ticket in a basket next to a donated piece of art of their choice. Tickets will be sold one ticket for $5, three tickets for $10 and eight tickets for $20. At the end of the day, a drawing wil be held and a winner chosen for each piece offered that day. Winners need not be present for the drawing. Artists who have donated pieces include Joe Bergholm, Ruth Bie Brown, Karen Cohen, Frank Colaguori, Leslie Daley, Donna Gratkowski, Vicky Culver, Liz Hess, Joseph Imbesi, Sandra Jackowski, Tom Jackowski, Marge Levine, Colleen Lineberry, Michael Menendez, Eileen Petruch, MaryLou Shipman, Paula Shipman, Bonnie Smith, Cecilia Swatton, Sandra Thwaites, Brigitte Wachs, Anna Wainright, Denise Weiner, Kerri Zeblisky and Dianne Zeigler.
In addition, several of the featured artists — including Lisa Grob, Sandra Jackowski, Marge Levine and Sandra Thwaites — will also be taking part in special Artists-at-Work events. During the daytime show hours, artists will be painting and drawing on the church premises so that patrons are able to see the creative process in action.
Constance Gryczka will be conducting 30 minute Architectural Highlight Tours of St. George’s, with the tours commencing from the rear pews of the center aisle (nave) of the church on Saturday and Sunday at 11:15 am and 1:15 pm.
All proceeds from the Art Show directly benefit St. George’s-by-the-River and its Outreach Grants to more than 30 local agencies serving the needy of Monmouth and Ocean counties, including Lunch Break, Family Promise, HABcore, 180 Turning Lives Around, and more.
Daytime tickets to the Canterbury Art Show…a Tapestry of the Arts are $10 each, and are good for all days of the show. They can be reserved online here or at the door each day. Tickets to the August 29 reception are $40 in advance ($50 at the door), with admission including wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres and dessert, as well as free entry to the show every day.
For more information on the 2014 event, email [email protected] or call Beth Sherrard at (732)383-7465, or Denise Weiner (732)471-8512.
