November 8, 2004

The New Art Group (NAG) was formed out of the members of the Visual Arts Committee of the Watchung Arts Center in New Jersey, who developed opportunities for artists to exhibit their work and were responsible for hanging those exhibitions at the center. The group is now and independent entity. What makes the NAG unique is that it is a group of artists unified by intent rather than style.

The NAG is currently comprised of 8 professional artists covering various visual arts disciplines.

The current members of the New Art Group are:

Susan Ahlstrom - three dimensional, mixed media work
Francesca Azzara - painting and encaustic work
Jim Fuess - abstract painting, mixed media work
Muriel Harris - representational and abstract painting
Frances Heinrich - conceptual, mixed media work
Thom Lynch - surrealistic tableau
Nancy Ori - photography, mixed media work
Paul Pinkman - printmaking, painting and drawing

The New Art Group's shows have been reviewed by the New York Times, the Star Ledger, the Courier News, the Trenton Times and numerous other publications. Of the 33 shows that we have done we have had 13 articles or reviews.

Artists are traditionally very independent individuals. How is it that the NAG has prospered for over nine years, and through 33 group shows while their artwork, styles and personalities are so diverse? Although a total of 20 artists have been members of the group, four of the original people still remain in the group.

One of the ideas that hold the group together is that each show is themed and has a central idea or focus. This brings eight different views to each show rather than just a random collection of art.

We have three different shows to exhibit:

• The "Toy Show" - Art works by, from or about: A Toy Store, A Party Supply Store and/or A Hardware Store - which has been shown at the Artists For Art Gallery in Scranton Pennsylvania, and the Watchung Arts Center in New Jersey. Paintings in chains, boxes of dolls filled with forlorn love, a board of frogs and a sprinkler, drawings of farm tools, the Pep Boys, a wrench crushing a rose, Sylvester and Tweety, big hooks and small fish, a suitcase filled with lighted rocks - more than 30-40 works of art.
• "Environs" - A show on the environment or landscape. This has been shown for two shows over four months at Schering Plough Corporate Headquarters and at the Watchung Arts Center.
• A show that deals with the Anthropomorphic and the human figure. This has been shown at the Arts Guild of Rahway and at the Watchung Arts Center.

We are open to new themes that are a challenge.

Susan Ahlstrom | Francesca Azzara | Jim Fuess | Muriel Harris | Frances Heinrich
Thom Lynch | Nancy Ori | Paul Pinkman

All images © 2005, the artist