Princeton NJ Museums and Galleries Press Releases

Lawrenceville Main Street Inaugurates New Artists Network Gallery

With township officials, board members and participating artists looking on, Lawrence Mayor Pam Mount and artist Christina Peckham jointly cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new Lawrenceville Main Street (LMS) Artists Network Gallery on Dec. 9. The gallery is located at 2683 Main Street, on the corner of Gordon Avenue and Route 206 in Lawrenceville.

The Artists Network is a cooperative endeavor of LMS and more than 20 artists who share operating expenses. The artists work in a variety of mediums including oil, watercolor, acrylic, pottery, assemblage, sculpture, woodwork, silk, jewelry, fiber art, and photography.

“Lawrence Township has tried a variety of art projects in the past,” noted Mayor Mount, “but what makes the LMS Artists Network unique is that it is self-perpetuating.” On a continuing basis, the artists will change displays and admit new members.

There appears to be great camaraderie and a strong team spirit among the artists,” observed Madeline Monheit, an LMS volunteer. Michelle Rosenthal agrees. “Picture 25 artists hanging their life’s work without an argument,” commented Rosenthal, who creates watercolors and collages.

The artists also take turns staffing the gallery, which is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be special holiday hours on Dec. 22-24.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, LMS President Howard Nelson explained that the gallery represented only the first phase of the LMS vision for the Artists Network. “We look forward to creating a ‘center of excellence’ that will expand its reach into the community.”

Art education will be the next step, and classes already are scheduled for next month. The “Spa Series” begins on Jan. 10 and runs four consecutive Sundays, offering classes in jewelry-making, clay sculpting, silk painting, and quilting. Details are available online at www.lawrencevillemainstreet.com.

“The Artists Network could not have been accomplished without Eileen Kennedy and the artists,” continued Nelson in his remarks to guests. Last summer, when space became available on Main Street, then LMS Business Development Chair Kennedy surveyed the local businesses and learned that they favored a gallery as the new tenant. The pairing of the Village’s fine restaurants with an art venue seemed like a good idea.

At the same time, Kennedy discovered that many local artists were seeking a place to display their work. Jennifer Cadoff was among them. Cadoff is a member of the Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville, a partnership of eighteen professional visual artists who have been cooperatively administering, staffing, and exhibiting since 1995.

LMS received a great deal of mentoring from the Lambertville gallery. “One of their co-presidents, Joe Kaz, taught me everything I needed to know,” said Kennedy. “We became become sister galleries with the approval of all the artists.”

LMS President Nelson also expressed appreciation to Mayor Mount, Township Manager Richard Krawczun and Councilman Michael Powers for the Township’s guidance in establishing the new gallery and to Gary Hullfish for his cooperation in providing the space.

Lawrenceville Main Street is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to fostering a sense of community and continuing the revitalization of our historic downtown area by organizing events, building partnerships, cultivating the business environment, and enhancing the physical setting of the Village of Lawrenceville. An official Main Street New Jersey community, LMS is accredited by the Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, call (609) 219-9300 or visit www.LawrencevilleMainStreet.com.