ARTS

“Studio Montclair – Genesis and Evolution,” which opens Sept. 24 on the first floor of the new
Academy Square office building, will include work by 14 SMI founders and board members.
Highlighting work from artists who laid the foundation for the thriving organization that exists
today, Genesis and Evolution – curated by Montclair artist Rachel Leibman, gives a rich history
of the areas visual arts.

The artists featured in the show are: Virginia S. Block, Alice Bryant Cubicciotti, Elaine Golt
Gongora, Jean Kawecki, Catherine Kinkade, Hilary Shank Kuhl, Clarence Mather, Arthur Paxton,
Sharon Pitts, Patricia Ritchie, Christina Saj, Charlee Swanson, Sarah Teofanov, Joan Vaccaro

Many of the artist’s showing their work are still involved with SMI’s organization; including
Catherine Kinkade; Christina Saj; and Virginia S. Block – who was the founding president
for five years and remains in the organization as the Virginia S. Block Gallery director.

Ms Block creates mixed-media paintings that explore content related to artifacts, portals and the
passage of time. From recent trips to China, Block has created a series of paintings that let the
viewer feel the visually rich culture and the deep layering of centuries of tradition through the
building up of numerous layers, the balancing of universal forms and the saturated use of color.

Exhibits at Academy Square will run concurrently three to four times a year. The galleries will be
open to the public from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday or by appointment. The first shows,
which run through January 2, 2011, will open with a reception Friday, September 24 from 6-9pm.