Nails in the Wall Gallery, the Metuchen exhibition space sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church,  at 17 Oak Avenue, will begin its 2013 Season Saturday, January 19, 2-5pm, with WINDOWS ON HEAVEN:  Contemporary Icons. 

This exhibit will feature multiple works by six well-known iconographers, several who “write” religious icons in the very traditional Byzantine style, others who, while they work in that spirit, have developed a very personal approach to icon painting. The exhibit runs from January 19 through May 15.

Included in the exhibit is the work of Christine Simoneau Hales, Philmont, NY, Suzanne Schleck, Toms River, NJ, and Patrick Shea, Queens, NY.   All are noted professional Iconographers who paint in the exacting Byzantine tradition, while Sandy Mezinis, award-winning Metuchen, NJ watercolorist, creates highly personal images, which she identifies as icons.   Additionally included is the work of Cedar Grove artist, Christina Saj whose icons are a modernist’s abstract reinterpretation of the traditional style. Finally, several three-dimensional sculptural icons by South Orange artist Sybil Archibald will be included in the exhibit.  

The issues of depth of spirituality, conversion, transformation, suffering, are presented by each of these artists in dramatically different ways and yet ways that are visually relevant to our times.

During the Opening of “Windows on Heaven,” the gallery will also partner with the NJ Symphony to host its ART STRINGS project.  Ten small violins, exquisitely painted by artists from around the state will be on display.  Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase a chance on the one of their choice.

“We are delighted that the NJ Symphony accepted our invitation to include the ART STRINGS project as part of the Opening of the Icon exhibit.   We believe partnering with the symphony in this way will be highly beneficial for both arts organizations,” acknowledges Gallery Director Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella.

Gallery hours are:  M-F: 9am-2pm, Sat. 4-6pm, Sun. 11am-2pm.  For further information, please contact:

Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella, Director

242 Amboy Ave.

Metuchen, NJ  08840

732.906.4137

EarthsongsCeramicStudio@gmail.com