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By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
WESTFIELD – If contemporary art catches your eye, Reflections On Canvas, 227 Elmer Street in Westfield, will be most gratifying. Everything from renowned artist, Erte, to sensational serigraphs from around the country blankets the walls of Reflections.
Upon entering this boutique gallery, which has been established for 21 years, a floral piece by John Powell is presented. No detail is left undefined in this untitled work – the bounty of flowers, the vase they are placed in, the tapestry which hosts the vase and the backdrop are all intricately detailed.
Mark King offers another striking serigraph, stirring a sentiment of the solitary as a single bench with a widebrimmed hat is the centerpiece of a vibrant floral garden. Although the piece is reminiscent of Monet, it is truly individual in its representation.
The lights of New York City’s theater district are bouncing and lively in Melanie Taylor Kent’s “Broadway.” Actors from productions such as Cats, Me & My Girl, Les Miserables and Starlight Express are featured in performance upon a flowing sea of stars and glowing candles. The piece captures the bustling spirit of Broadway.
One of the most unique pieces is “Welcome to Nantucket” by Patrick Antonelle. The entire piece is garlanded with clumps of speckled, bright flowers, in the window boxes of the house, beyond its white picket fences. A turquoise front door, partially open, graciously welcomes you into the home.
Al Grafke, a local artist, grabs your attention in his stilllife water color masterpieces, which wash over the art lover with warmth in its tones. Flowing fabric upon the table, a humble bucket of apples, a dripping, glowing candle intrigues the eye in one untitled piece. Another Grafke original features a still life with a jug of wine, portion of cheese, and basket of
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Barbara Zietchick to Exhibit Monotypes at Summit Gallery
WESTFIELD – Barbara Zietchick, a Westfield resident, will display her collection of monotypes at the Members Gallery of the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, 68 Elm Street, from Saturday, May 1, to Friday, June
WESTFIELD ARTIST... Barbara Ziechick’s monotype, “Pike” will be one of the works exhibited at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit through Sunday, June 6.
4. Monotypes are impressions on paper of a design which is painted using fingers or a brush.
Ms. Zietchick’s collection depicts her memories and impressions from her travels around
the world. Her prints often feature fantasy animals in fanciful poses, using various color relationships.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degrees from Hunter College and graduate degrees from Wagner College and Richmond College in Staten Island.
The Center will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m.
Michelle H. LePoidevin for The Westfield Leader and The Times
BALLOONS IN BUNCHES... The Nursery School of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield was joined by the preschools of Temple EmanuEl, Wesley Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Westfield Cooperative Nursery School, the Westfield Day Care Center, and Westfield ‘Y’ PreSchool on April 28 to mark April as the month of the young child. Mindowaskin Park was a sea of 1,600 balloons in a rainbow of colors as the brass quintet of the Westfield Symphony Orchestra supplied a bevy of background music for the event. An estimated 2,000 children, parents and teachers attended the celebration which was funded by PNC Bank.
By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
BERKELEY HEIGHTS Good, oldfashioned, downhome country music kept feet stomping, toes tapping, and country tunes acrooning at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights last Friday evening as the Tim Gillis Band and high school student, Kassy Ciasulli performed a benefit for the school’s Project Graduation.
With ominous, large twin screens surrounding the stage, the band began with a Blue Grass Medley of “Rocky Top Tennessee” and the audience began clapping immediately while the singers harmonized, twirled and slapped their knees to the rhythm.
Tim Gillis, decked in a black suit and diamond studded pockets, served not only as a moderator for the show, but an enoromous and versatile talent himself.
He was joined by lead singers in white fringed jackets, Judy Lynn Ricci and Lucy Simms in a musical tribute to Patsy Cline. Tunes such as “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Crazy” were both sentimental and belted out with heart.
When Mountainside resident and Governor Livingston junior, Kassy,
took the stage in black fringe and country boots, the sweet country sound took on an edgy, gutsy, and attitudepacked mood surpassing the innocence of Leann Rhimes and the contemporary style of Shania Twain.
“I ain’t never lookin’ back and that’s a fact. I’ve got pride and I’m
takin’ it for a ride,” warned Kassy in “Bye Bye,” a brash and bold tune she delivered with strength and savvy.
The singer who is a little over four feet may be pint sized, but she has a voice that packs an edgy punch with the attitude to match.
With authentic yodeling, Base Guitarist David Frost, Lead Guitarist Mike Carr, and Steel Guitarist Ben Lawson (collectively The Concrete Canyon Cowboys) sang country hits such as “Back in the Saddle Again” with downhome charm.
Performances such as “Bugle Boy” by uniformclad Ms. Ricci, Ms. Simms, and Joann Frost were extraordinarily unique, as was their performance of “Mr. Sandman” when they arrived on stage with pigtails and pajamas. These perfor mances were both professional and
comical, adding to the charm of the band and its ability to entertain the audience.
Sentimental and tearful renditions of “Wrong Night” and “Wrong Again,” and later, outstanding and spirited performances of “Could Love Ya Better” and “Think of a Reason Later” proved one thing and one thing only: Kassy may be just a high school student, but she sings like a seasoned professional and a future beyond those who already hold one in the country music business.
Her versatility provides her with the option of pursuing either a country music career or any other venue she chooses. With an unfaltering voice that was completely flawless, she has her pick of whatever golden opportunities lie before her.
Classic country medley, “Orange Blossom Special” was authentic and savored as Greg Viola, a fiddler with talent beyond his years, roused the crowd.
Two performances near the end of the show were perhaps the most riveting. Kassy returned to the stage with the lead singers for a Gospel Medley which included a haunting delivery of “How Great Thou Art.” Dressed in sparkling white gowns, this performance set the tone for the finale’s patriotic and spiritual “American Tribute” which included “I’m Proud to Be An American.”
Kassy later told The Westfield Leader
and The Times of Scotch Plains and Fanwood that she anticipates pursuing a professional singing career after graduating Governor Livingston. She would also like to explore cutting her own record.
“The person that I absolutely adore is Cher,” she revealed.
Kassy, who is up for the role of “Nancy” in the New Jersey Performing Art Center’s (NJPAC) summer performance of Oliver!, stole the show and there is no doubt that cutting a record, with her cutting edge voice, is more than a possibility.
School District Slates Annual Art Show WESTFIELD – The 1999 Westfield Public School District’s Fine Arts Show will be held in the Westfield High School varsity gymnasium from Tuesday, May 11, to Thursday, May 13.
The show will include artwork from students in kindergarten through 12 th grade from the town’s nine public schools.
On Tuesday, May 11, and Wednesday, May 12, the artwork can be viewed from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. and in the evening from 7: 30 p. m. to 9 p. m. Visitors are also welcomed on Thursday, May 13 from 9 a. m. to 2 p. m.
This is the 15 th annual districtwide art exhibit. Paintings, two dimensional pieces, ceramic, crafts, computerized art, and other works of Westfield’s students will be on display.
Linda King, Supervisor of Fine Arts, stated that the exhibit has become “an outstanding cultural event in this community. The Art Show is a wonderful opportunity to exhibit hundreds of various art media created by our talented students under the direction of dedicated art educators.” bread, all by warm
lamplight. Using deep brown and amber tones, Grafke’s work is welcoming and imparts a feeling of hospitality. His works have been exhibited at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn.
James Talmadge offers another buzzing and bustling view of city life with looming palm trees, cars with curvy lines, smiling faces on every city dweller and a sailboatfilled marina in the background. There are so many different representations
of contemporary art offered at Reflections On Canvas. It is certainly worth a visit or guided tour.
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Tim Gillis pays tribute to Elvis Presley while (pictured left to right) gutiarists David Frost and Mike Carr, and singers Judy Lynn Ricci and Lucy Simms croon along.
Mountainside resident and Governor Livingston High School junior, Kassy Ciasulli, shoots for the stars during her performance of “Bye Bye.” Also pictured is Greg Viola.
Crimson Light by Jeremenko “Conte Pescaor” by Viktor Shvaiko
“She Sends Her Regrets” by Jim Buckels
Michelle H. LePoidevin for The Westfield Leader and The Times Michelle H. LePoidevin for The Westfield Leader and The Times
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