Art Show to Benefit UnitedWithUkraine at The Glen Rock Public Library Gallery

Glen Rock resident and artist Oxana Katsov has partnered with The Friends of the Glen Rock Public Library to show her artwork in The Gallery during the months of July and August. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of Ms. Katsov’s artwork will go to her Ukrainian aide volunteer group UnitedWithUkraine. The exhibition is a compilation of Ms. Katsov’s personal experiences growing up in the former Soviet Union, immigration,and her life in Glen Rock with her husband and two children.

“Art was always an important part of my life. It’s where your inner journey gets reflected on the canvas. As years go by, I want to go deeper and wish to see the invisible to get to the core of life. My latest works are more abstract and are the reflection of this search.” Ms. Katsov describes her life in Glen Rock for the last five years as idyllic- until the start of the war In Ukraine.

Ms. Katsov felt the urgent call to service, and with the help of eight other American women with roots, families, or friends in Ukraine began the non-profit group UnitedWithUkraine. Through their UnitedWithUkraine Facebook group, they post news regarding the families they are able to help, share valuable information, and tell stories about fellow volunteers in Ukraine. Within the first three months on its inception, UnitedWithUkraine was able to help 147 families with food, hygiene products, medication, and money.

The goal is to help the most vulnerable groups: families with children, elderly people, people in the places that lost gas and power, those who lost their homes and had to move.

For Arts Amble and the entire month of June, The Gallery will showcase a curated selection of artwork to purchase from local artists. Featuring Glen Rock resident and photographer, Yuliya Abova. Mariam Sepede will be showing a collection of nature inspired acrylic paintings. Elisa Joy Designs by Elisa Dell’Amico is artisanal jewelry for the visually adventurous; each handcrafted, one of a kind piece has an international or historical flair, evocative of the glamour of opulent times and faraway places. Peter Marcalus is a sculptor of large landscape sculptures as well as shadow box steel, clay and plaster portraiture and peach pit scrimshaw. Stained glass artist and Glen Rock resident Lisa Hahn of Lisa Hahn Studio will be showing stained glass windows. Soo Kim of Soosoo Studios is also a Glen Rock resident and a contemporary artist who creates original works using alcohol inks, and because of its beautiful flow, Soo’s art results in original works that are ethereal, calming, and reenergizing. Wendy Villa creates ocean inspired resin art for her business, Munay Art Studio. Flor Pottery owner and artist Flor Girón will be showing ceramics and pottery. Charlie Saulenas is a full-time graphic designer and part-time woodworker for his company Everwood. Charlie finds most of his stock at the local recycling center and has never cut down a tree for his turnings—he works with what he can salvage. Part of the excitement for Charlie is finding the beauty in what others throw away.

The Gallery was established through a partnership with and is maintained by the Friends of the Library. It has become a creditable exhibition space attracting artists within the local art community, northern New Jersey, and throughout the New York metropolitan area. The establishment of The Gallery further defines the important place the Library holds for all citizens of the community. For further information and to learn more about our monthly artists, please visit www.friendsglenrocklibrary.org

The Gallery is also celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the Glen Rock Public Library. As a part of Arts Amble, the Glen Rock Pops, under the baton of Music Director Anthony LaGruth, celebrates the Centennial Anniversary of the Library with a concert on Sunday, June 12th at 3:00pm in the auditorium of the Glen Rock High School, 600 Harristown Road in town. The program includes music from Broadway, the movies, and light classics. Donations at the door are appreciated.

For more information: www.glenrockpops.org.

Emerging Artists show at The Glen Rock Public Library Gallery

The Friends of the Glen Rock Public Library have partnered with Glen Rock High School Art Department to show students’ artwork during the month of May to the community. While the Library celebrates its centennial anniversary, The Gallery continues to show local talent while bolstering the college transcripts of Glen Rock students applying to art schools. The exhibition will highlight the work of mainly Junior and Senior year student artists, including many future art majors.

Participating art students include Annie Barchetto, Cleo Brennan, Mason Cavagnuolo, Carlotta Dave, Sofia Fusco, Gabriella Harris, Grace Hinkle, Abbie Manley, Sidh Parekh, Shelly Revich, Zoey Rinbrand, Catie Stallone, Olivia Thompson, Kiara Tyler-Cooper, Quinn Visokey, Constantine Yantchev, Isabella Burbano, Jason Kim, Gabriella Krachenfels, Polina Lipsits, Ilana Magchilov, Shai Metzger-Ramseur, Hannah Yang, Anthony Zapotosky, Theresa Perez, Mariana Porras, Isabel Shea.

The Gallery in the Glen Rock Public Library features the photography of Bearj Bahtiarian for the month of April. In the Artist’s own words - “Finally after a lifetime of international business travel, always with a camera hanging around my neck, I am able to concentrate on my lifelong love of photography.”

Self taught and inspired by the works of different artists, Bearj created an aesthetic all his own. The process has taken many years of patience and love of photography. “The world of photography has changed in the digital age. Fine photography is no longer just snapping a picture, or taking a selfie, it is knowing when, how and why to snap that shutter. Yet, that is only the beginning. Once you have achieved step one, the next step, is knowing what to do with it in post processing.”

Bearj Bahtiarian is a Mahwah resident and business owner. Having headed his own companies and being in the corporate world, he never had the time to pursue his photography work the way he wanted - now he is following his passion. More samples of his work can be seen at fineartamerica.com/profiles/berj-bahtiarian

We welcome the art of Barry Shiff for the month of March to The Gallery in the Glen Rock Public Library.

These colorful oil paintings and watercolors of historic New Jersey and New York historical landmarks evoke the nostalgic charm of a bygone era. Mr. Shiff’s classic paintings of old Railroad Stations, Towns, Boardwalks, and Amusement Parks capture life as it was at the early 20th century. The authenticity of his subjects are the result of frequent trips to historical societies, libraries, antique shops, vintage post cards, old magazines and books.

The Gallery in the Glen Rock Public Library features Jeanne Buesser for the month of February.

Ms. Buesser started taking classes after her son, who has special needs, decided not to continue private art lessons. She had an idea for her first book to write and needed assistance from the art teacher to draw and illustrate. Her son’s art teacher became her art teacher. She has been awarded ribbons for her artwork from the Paramus Women’s Club when her artwork was judged from over 65 clubs in 5 different categories. Ms. Buesser’s paintings will be on display in The Gallery through the month of February. Her artwork can also be seen on her website jeannebuesser.com which has prints, notecards, books, and poetry.