Upcoming Exhibitions & Programs
About the Gallery
The 1978 Arts Center has served the community for almost two decades as a space dedicated to the the visual arts. Under the direction of the Maplewood Department of Administration Division of Arts & Culture, it will continue to provide a forum for artists to work, exhibit, and interact.
Acoustic Jam Sessions
Do you play an acoustic instrument, hand percussion, or sing?
Join us to share a tune and learn a tune at the open acoustic jam session! A welcoming space to share and learn tunes, open to all ages and levels, led by veteran teacher and touring musician Amy Beshara.
Sign up here for one session or for all: https://forms.gle/WHL6NBCbFgoC9caL6
About Amy:
Amy Beshara is a versatile music educator, performer, and wellness practitioner with over 25 years of experience teaching and performing violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar, and songwriting. Trained in the Suzuki Method and a variety of innovative pedagogies, she specializes in early childhood music, creative piano, string instruction, and ensemble leadership, including Irish and Scottish fiddle traditions.
Amy has taught at respected institutions including Monmouth Conservatory of Music, Play Music NYC, and Montclair State University’s Extension Division, and has led workshops, summer programs, and community music sessions. In addition to her work in music education, she is a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor, incorporating trauma-informed and mindfulness-based approaches into her teaching.
Her educational background includes studies in linguistics and language acquisition at Montclair State University, certification in viola performance from Trinity College of Music in London, and pre-college training at the Manhattan School of Music. Amy brings a holistic, student-centered approach to her work, blending musical excellence with creativity, wellness, and personal growth.
Follow Amy on FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DdXkJoX1Q/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Troublemakers by Deric Carner
In Celebration of Pride Month
Maplewood Arts and Culture Presents:
Troublemakers by Deric Carner
What does it feel like to never fully belong? Deric Carner : Troublemakers explores this question through a series of wall-mounted sculptural faces that are fragile, funny, and a little grotesque. Each one sits somewhere between mask and portrait, showing how we present ourselves to others while still holding parts of ourselves back.
Carner grew up moving between different countries and cultures, and his work reflects that experience of always adjusting and figuring out where you fit. Drawing from his experience of queer identity, he explores the feeling of deciding which parts of yourself to show and which to keep private.
The faces recall theatrical masks, drag faces, and clown makeup, all of which speak to performance as a mode of self-presentation and defense. Their exaggerated features and openings suggest a gap between how we feel inside and how we appear on the outside, and the effort it can take to be seen and understood, especially in queer experience.
Rather than cohesive subjects, these works function as composite selves where conflicting emotions, identities, and desires coexist without resolution. Installed as a group, they form a chorus of unsettled personas. The exhibition invites visitors to think about belonging, self-expression, and the many sides of identity.
The exhibition is accompanied by a video created by Carner specifically for this context, which further intensifies the show’s exploration of queer themes.
Community Participation: Visitors are invited to create their own masks and reflect on their relationship between inner identity and outward presentation. These contributions will become part of the exhibition displayed on the gallery walls at the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center.
Opening Reception 6/13/26 | 2PM - 5PM
Light Refreshments
On view Saturdays and Sundays
6/14, 6/20, 6/21, 6/27, 6/28 | 2PM - 5PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, New Jersey
Deric Carner Website
See All Pride Month Events Here
Maplewood Arts & Culture Presents: Art From The Earth
Celebrating Earth Day & Garden State Art Weekend Maplewood Arts & Culture Presents: Art From The Earth
Featured Artists:
Wendy Bellermann, Karis Takaki, & Michelle Kurlan
Opening Sunday April 19th from 11am to 5pm with talk & workshop by Wendy Bellermann at 12pm & 3pm. Light refreshments
On View April 25 & April 26 from 2pm to 5pm
Wendy Bellermann Workshop:
Sign Up For A Workshop Here
Step back 30,000 years and unleash your inner cave artist! In this hands-on, joy-filled workshop, you’ll discover the fascinating history of prehistoric cave art, watch raw stone and clay transform into rich, earthy pigments, and then dive in yourself—mixing, painting, and playing just like our ancient ancestors. Adults and kids alike will get messy, creative, and inspired as they create their own pieces and join forces to bring a living “cave wall” to life. It’s part history, part science, and all imagination—come ready to get your hands dirty and your creativity roaring!
Celebrate Earth Day with an immersive art show honoring the beauty and power of natural materials! This lively, family-friendly art show highlights how art can grow straight from the earth itself, featuring Wendy Bellermann’s bold, modern cave-style paintings made with real stone and clay pigments, alongside Karis Tataki’s beautifully layered pieces created with earth pigments, soy milk, plant-based colors, and minerals. Full of rich textures and natural color, the show invites visitors of all ages to explore, imagine, and connect with the wonders of the natural world in a fun and meaningful way.
Adding to the fun, Wendy will lead engaging, hands-on workshops where children and adults can learn about the history of cave art, see how natural pigments are made, and create their own “cave art” using safe, non-toxic materials—making it a joyful, creative way for all ages to connect with the earth.
Sign Up For A Workshop Here
Read The Press Release Here
Just Like A Girl* Art Exhibition
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Maplewood Arts & Culture Presents Just Like A Girl* Art Exhibition
JUST LIKE A GIRL* ART EXHIBITION
Just Like A Girl*, a collaborative exhibition at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center in celebration of Women’s History Month. The exhibition, running from March 7 - March 29, 2026, aims to challenge stereotypes and showcase the creativity, strength, and vision of young female artists.
The exhibition strives to explore and redefine the phrase Just Like A Girl* through their art—flipping outdated narratives and demonstrating the power, resilience, and brilliance of girls in the creative world.
We look forward to celebrating the creative voices of young female artists and redefining what it means to make art Just Like A Girl!*
*All artists are female or identify as female or non-binary. All artists are between the ages of 10 and 20.
Free Event
Opening Reception Saturday March 7 From 4PM - 7PM
Light Refreshments Provided
Prizes will be presented by The Friends of 1978 to the first-, second-, and third‑place winners, and two additional prizes will be awarded for honorable mention.
Additional Viewing Days: Saturdays and Sundays March 7 - March 22 From 4PM - 7PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Artist Talk With Onnie Strother - Black History In Multiple Layers: The Stories And The Images
Celebrating Black History Month
Artist Talk With Onnie Strother
Black History In Multiple Layers: The Stories And The Images
Saturday, February 21
Exhibit from 2pm - 5pm. Artist Talk starts at 3PM
Light Refreshments
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Free and open to the public. No registration needed.
Read more on Onnie Smith and the current exhibit at 1978 - Forgotten Things Forgotten Times here
Click Here To Read The Four Oranges Article By Carole Selman
Click Here To See All Black History Month Events For 2026
Celebrating Black History Month: Forgotten Things Forgotten Times
Gallery Hours Have Been Cancelled on February 22
Celebrating Black History Month: Forgotten Things Forgotten Times
Artist: Onnie Strother
Curator: Nette Forné Thomas
Free Event, Open to All
Opening Reception
Live Music produced by Gregory Burrus Productions featuring pianist Gil Scott Chapman, vocalist Nikita White, drummer Steve Johns, and bassist Charlie Himel
Light Refreshments
Sunday, February 1 from 2 - 5 PM
On Display Saturdays and Sundays
Feb 1 - Feb 22 from 2 to 5 PM
Artist Talk: Black History in Multiple Layers: The Stories and The Images
February 21 at 3PM
Exhibit open 2 - 5PM
1978 Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Sponsored by Maplewood Arts & Culture
Free Event
Onnie Strother maintains an art studio at Riker Hill in Livingston, NJ.
His life’s work has been inspiring and teaching young people about art as well as educating people of all ages about the Black experience in America. He is a former art and art history teacher with degrees in fine art, art education, and administration and supervision. He has had a storied career of 24 years as an art instructor at Columbia High school in the South Orange Maplewood School District. Onnie grew up in Newark, attending art classes at the Newark Museum on Saturdays at the age of nine, and later attending Barringer High School. Upon graduating from high school, Onnie attended the New York School of Visual Arts on a scholarship. Afterwards, he attended Rutgers University and became certified as an art teacher, which led to being hired at Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ. There, he had a storied career for 24 years. At the invitation of Newark Arts High School principal Eleta J. Caldwell, he became the art department chair there. It was a position he held until retiring in 2008. Since that time, Onnie has focused on curating and exhibiting his own art at many venues in the region. He currently teaches printmaking at the WAE Center, a facility for the developmentally disabled in Livingston, NJ. while continuing to create and exhibit his art. The subjects of his work in various styles are derived from the media, popular music, and political and social issues.
His primary focus is print making consisting of lino cuts and monoprints, photography, and mixed media pieces, which at times combine these multiple elements. This has led him to create various series. Some of these are Gospel Divas, The Tire series, Newspaper Vendors, and his current photographs of the closed site of Bethlehem Steel. Onnie has received grants from The National Endowment for the Humanities and The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. He is an acclaimed historian and lecturer of art history and Black history.
Artist Statement:
I have never wanted to be anything other than a teacher and an artist. My granddad used to say, “Find something that you’re good at, something that you like to do, and you will never have to work.” Well, don’t believe it! Both teaching and creating art demand dedication and hard work. Still, I can say as an artist that I love what I do. As a teacher, I get to share that love with others.
All this fits nicely into my personality. I like to talk a lot. I enjoy sharing what I have learned. I was born in the right place at the right time for my chosen path. Brick City in the 1950s and 1960s was a cultural mecca, an amazing place to be for a Black artist. There was Spirit House and Mosque, the Newark Museum and the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, and the Bamberger’s Department store I saw the art of Romare Bearden and Michelangelo’s Moses, before it was taken to the 1964 World's Fair. (Newark was da Bomb!) Music in every variety filled the city; I couldn’t wait to be a part of it. As soon as I was old enough, I attended Saturday Junior Art School, Arts High, NSFIA, and Rutgers University. Along the way, I have had the opportunity to teach and show artwork in many of these institutions. In my own way, recording, teaching, and remembering -I can give something back.
Click Here To Read The Four Oranges Article By Carole Selman
Decisive Moments: Selected Photographs from Columbia High School
Due To The Weather - No Exhibit on Sunday Jan. 25
Photo By Daniel Kuhlman
Decisive Moments: Selected Photographs from Columbia High School
The Decisive Moment is one of the greatest photography books ever published. It brings together photographic material from the first twenty years of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s career. Originally published in 1952, with cover art by Henri Matisse, it was the first critical text on photography to introduce the now-famous expression “decisive moment”. The world renowned photographer, Robert Capa, considered The Decisive Moment to be a “bible for photographers.” To this day it remains an essential reference for photographers everywhere.
The CHS Photography Program is honored and excited to share our decisive moments with the SOMA community, enjoy the show!
The Columbia High School Photography Program would like to extend our special thanks to:
The Achieve Foundation
The Pollock Arts Initiative
The Music & Arts Education Project
Maplewood Arts & Culture
And the communities of South Orange & Maplewood. Your grants, donations and support are vital to the continued growth and success of our emerging young photographers.
Opening Reception:
Friday, January 16 from 4 PM to 8 PM
Light Refreshments Available
On View Friday, Saturday and Sunday
January 17 through January 25 from 4 PM to 8 PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Just Like A Girl* - Call For Art
Images For Just Like A Girl* 2025!
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Just Like A Girl* - Call For Art
Just Like A Girl* is back! And we want to feature YOUR work!
Prizes for 1st , 2nd and 3rd place.
Judging and awards will be presented by The Friends of 1978.
The Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture invites young female artists, ages 10 - 20, to submit their artwork for Just Like A Girl*, a collaborative exhibition at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center in celebration of Women’s History Month. The exhibition, running from March 7th - March 29th, 2026, aims to challenge stereotypes and showcase the creativity, strength, and vision of young female artists.
We encourage participants to explore and redefine the phrase Just Like A Girl* through their art—flipping outdated narratives and demonstrating the power, resilience, and brilliance of girls in the creative world.
KEY DATES:
Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 - Call for Art Opens!
Apply Here
Sunday, February 15th, 2026: Google Form Submission Deadline!
Friday, February 20th, 2026 – Artists will be notified they have been selected and receive an official invitation. You will have 2 weeks to finish any work in-progress.
February 26th – Sunday, March 1st, 2026 – Artwork drop-off at The 1978 Maplewood Arts Center (12PM – 4 PM)
Saturday, March 7th, 2026 – Opening Reception from 4-7pm BRING YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY!
Additional viewing days will be Saturdays and Sundays 4 - 7pm on 3/8, 3/14-3/15, 3/21-3/22, 3/28
Sunday, March 29th, 2026 – Closing Reception
Thursday, April 2nd – Sunday, April 5th, 2026 – Artwork pick-up (12PM – 4 PM)
INSPIRATION: What does it mean to be a girl? What does it mean to do something like a girl?
Accepted Mediums: Submissions can be individual works or collaborative group projects. Up to two works may be submitted; three works may be accepted if they are part of a series.
All Fine Arts mediums
Photography
Sculpture
Poetry
Mixed Media
Spoken Word (for special performance)
Eligibility: Open to individual artists and artist teams. Participants may submit proposals featuring existing artwork. Open to female residents of Maplewood or South Orange ages 10-20. *We welcome all who identify as female or nonbinary.
Exhibition Location:
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Important Notes: All artwork must be ready to be displayed, this includes framed (if needed) and any necessary hanging attachments. Artists are responsible for delivering and picking up their work.
Financial Support: We understand that framing can be a financial barrier for some artists; therefore, a limited number of frames will be available for those in need.
Questions? Contact Andrea Teutli at ateutli@maplewoodnj.gov or phone 973-843-7157 for more information.
We look forward to celebrating the creative voices of young female artists and redefining what it means to express yourself Just Like A Girl!*
The 1978 Collection
We are excited to announce The 1978 Collection curated by Aimee Mower Lally in collaboration with Maria Savidis Markatos and the Township of Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture.
For two days and two hours, the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center will be transformed into a vibrant local arts market boutique featuring thoughtfully selected works by local artists, makers, and designers. The event is inspired by the quality and design you might find in a museum store—accessible, creative, and perfect for collectors and gift-givers alike.
Pre-Opening Sale: Thursday, 12/4 from 6PM to 8PM
Open Hours: Saturday, 12/6 & Sunday, 12/7 from 11AM to 4PM
Meet Our Artists & View Their Work
The 1978 Collection: Call for Art
APPLY HERE!
We are excited to announce The 1978 Collection curated by Aimee Mower Lally in collaboration with Maria Savidis Markatos and the Township of Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture.
For two days and two hours, the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center will be transformed into a vibrant local arts market boutique featuring thoughtfully selected work by local artists, makers, and designers. The event is inspired by the quality and design you might find in a museum store—accessible, creative, and perfect for collectors and gift-givers alike.
Key Dates
● Submission deadline - Monday, October 6th
● Selected artists invited to participate - Monday, October 20th
● Deadline for artist confirmations - Sunday, October 26th
● Artist Drop-off / Setup and Installation: Sunday, November 30th from 2-5pm, Monday, December 1st from 10am - 2pm with evening hours 7-9pm and Tuesday, December 2nd from 10am - 3pm and evening hours 7-9pm
● Pre-Opening Sale: Thursday, December 4 (6pm to 8pm)
● Open Hours: Saturday, December 6 & Sunday, December 7 (11am to 4pm)
Who Should Apply?
We’re inviting artists, crafters, and designers whose work reflects a curated, high-quality aesthetic. Accepted mediums: painting, prints, photography, collage, ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts.
● Suggested price point: under $1,000
● Artists must provide their own point-of-sale system (Venmo, Zelle, Square, etc.)
● NJ based artists based in Maplewood, South Orange, Millburn, Springfield, Summit, Union, Elizabeth, Irvington, West Orange, Orange, East Orange, Newark, Bloomfield, Livingston, and other surrounding towns.
Display options:
$50 for 4ft shared table (2 artists per one 8ft table) (limited availability)
$75 for one 6ft table OR 5ft w x 9ft h wall space
Application Guidelines
Applications will be accepted via this Google Form
Deadline: Monday, October 6, 2025
Please include:
● Up to 5 high-quality images representing your work
● Size/dimensions/medium of your work
● Creatives/Artist bio/statement
● Website and/or social media handles
● Confirmation that you or a representative will be present at the Arts Center for both days of the exhibit AND the pre-sale
Next Steps
Applications will be reviewed and acceptance notifications sent on October 20.
Selected creatives/artists must confirm participation by October 26 and commit to staffing their display throughout the Preview Sale and Market Open Hours.
Reflecting Refuge
Maplewood Arts & Culture Presents:
Reflecting Refuge
Closing Reception Friday, September 5 — Limited Edition Prints for Sale with Proceeds Benefiting CSPNJ - Light Refreshements
〰️
Closing Reception Friday, September 5 — Limited Edition Prints for Sale with Proceeds Benefiting CSPNJ - Light Refreshements 〰️
Read Article Written from NJ ARTS
This exhibit features the works of contemporary NJ-based artist Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar. The tent pictured in the graphic is the first in her series of refugee tents fabricated using unconventional materials as metaphors. For this new installation, the shelter will be constructed from reflective Mylar—a fragile material mirroring the precarious boundaries refugees depend on for survival. Embodied in this exhibit are stunning gouaches of refugees.
Opening Reception: Thursday, August 14 | 5 - 8 PM
On View: Saturdays and Sundays from 1 - 4 PM
8/16, 8/17, 8/23, 8/24, 8/30, 8/31, 9/6, 9/7
Additional viewings on request:
Call 973-843-7157 or email Stacey Ross-Trevor at sross-trevor@maplewoodnj.gov
Closing Reception: Friday, September 5 | 5 - 8PM
Canopy Revealed and Enhanced Limited Edition Prints for Sale, Light Refreshments.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ)—a nonprofit dedicated to housing advocacy and supporting individuals at risk of homelessness.
1978 Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar’s Statement on Reflecting Refuge
”Reflecting Refuge is the culmination of ideas that first took shape several years ago, when I began learning more deeply about the plight of refugees in our global community. It began in 2015 when the civil war in Syria started to seep into my small media bubble. At the time, as a Mom of two young children, the horrors of the refugee families were heart-wrenching. I began painting gouaches of the refugees and how the media portrayed them.
Fast forward to today: the media avalanche has only intensified, and the number of displaced people has grown exponentially. Those early works from ten years ago could still hang on these walls as if they were taken from the news just hours ago.
My work has always been about pulling issues from the shadows, issues that many would rather we not extend our attention to. With this project, my hope is to create a piece that can only come to life through the energy and input of the community. By inviting participants to contribute pieces to be sewn into the work, we create a collective act of solidarity and love: a shelter woven over a fragile reflective tent, fully aware that the tent exists both directly and indirectly because of all of us.
We are the tent. We are the protection, the cause, and the vulnerability it symbolizes.
My hope is that, together, we build a “hug” suspended over the tent, offering shelter to all who walk beneath it. The paper, materials, and sewing were all acting as metaphors for mending what is broken. We will create, together, a refuge from chaos and hate, and an awakening to the power of one voice joining many, forming a collective rally cry for our most basic love for humanity and for each other”. -Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar
Call for Community Participation:
With this project comes a unique invitation to community members. For the piece to be fully realized, Christine calls for your insight, creativity, and energy.
At the gallery, you’ll find panels of sewing pattern paper. I invite you to trace your hand(s) and then write a word or phrase, or draw a symbol that represents what safety, help, identity, or refuge means to you. You’re welcome to use any language or any symbols that feel meaningful. Her only request is that you include the traced outline of your hand(s).
Feel free to take the papers home, work on them in your own time and space, and then return them. Once collected, she will sew all of these pieces together to create the screen that will be suspended above the reflective tent.
Be as creative as you like: add materials from home, use your own papers or fabrics, incorporate collage elements, or simply use words if drawing or painting isn’t your thing.
The most important part is that you join in.
When the project is complete, she will invite you to come back and see what you have built together. Know that your voice and your hands are woven into this shared refuge and that you are part of a collective act of care and solidarity.
Read Artist Bio/Statement Here
Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar Website
Reflecting Refuge Call To High School Students
Reflecting Refuge Call To High School Students
A Call to High School Students Seeking a Unique Artistic Experience and Community Service Hours! High School Student Sign-Up Form.
Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar is inviting high school students who are interested in earning community service hours for Honor Society, clubs, or other academic requirements to join her in creating a life-size refugee tent made of reflective Mylar.
She’d love your help on this one-day build, and in return, she will provide pizza and other treats, plus a signed letter confirming your service hours.
If you’re interested in the arts (whether as an extracurricular passion or a potential career), this is a wonderful opportunity to get hands-on experience and ask her any questions you might have about working as a professional artist.
Installation Date: August 13, 2025 Time: 12 – 4 PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Ave
Maplewood, NJ.
Please fill out the High School Student Sign-Up Form by August 6th so she can plan accordingly.
Celebrating Juneteenth - The Things They Carried, The Stories They Told, Passions of the Unseen
Celebrating Juneteenth with a 1978 Art Exhibition: The Things They Carried, The Stories They Told, Passions of the Unseen
Throughout decades, domestic workers have been highly regarded, respected and admired for their skills, gifts and perseverance. Each of the six vignettes in this installation contain a bus ticket from various cities throughout the country and a purse surrounded by the items that a domestic worker might have carried or used to fulfill their chosen ambition. They passed down stories, some humorous, some sad, but all memorable. The vignettes do not represent any one person or specific decade. However, they do portray just a fraction of the passions embraced by domestic workers around the world.
Artist: Beverly McCutcheon
Curated by: Nette Forné Thomas
Free Event
Opening Reception: Friday, June 20 | 5 to 8PM
Additional Viewings on Saturday and Sunday | 2 - 4PM
6/21, 6/22, 6/28, 6/29, 7/5, 7/6, 7/12, 7/13
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Earth & Water Art Exhibition - Opening Garden State Art Weekend
Community Workshops April 24 - April 27
●
Community Workshops April 24 - April 27 ●
Earth & Water Art Exhibition - Opening Garden State Art Weekend
Free Event
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 24 | 5-8PM
Earth & Water is a solo exhibition of work by Lauren Rosenthal McManus. McManus’s drawings, installations, and community-based projects combine geospatial data and site-specific pigments to emphasize the innate beauty and universal importance of freshwater systems. These works spark a deepened sense of place through the reconsideration of community boundaries and notions of home.
During Garden State Art Weekend, visitors of all ages are invited to participate in creating a collaborative map of the Rahway River Watershed, where 1978 Maplewood Arts Center is located. Join us in painting an ecological patchwork of earth colors gathered in the landscapes through which these waters flow—a reminder of our collective responsibility to care for one another and for the river on which we depend.
Artist Bio:
Lauren Rosenthal McManus’s watershed maps reframe the boundaries that define community. Her work is held in several institutional collections, including the Nurture Nature Center, the Charlotte Museum of History, and the Bank of America Collection. McManus has received grants from Together North Jersey's Vibrant Places Program and Delaware Wild and Scenic to support flood resilience and watershed education projects, and has been awarded residencies from the University of Colorado and McColl Center. She holds a BFA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MFA from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where she was an urban livability fellow. She currently lives and works in Lambertville, New Jersey, where she has served on both the Environmental Commission and Resilience Team.
Opening Reception Thursday, April 24 | 5 - 8 PM
Additional Viewing Days:
Friday, April 25 | 5 - 8 PM
Every Saturday and Sunday, 2 - 4 PM
April 26, 27, May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, New Jersey
Please note: The Community Workshops will only take place from April 24 - April 27.
RSVP Recommended for Community Workshop
Press Release
Lauren McManus Website
JUST LIKE A GIRL* Art Exhibition
JUST LIKE A GIRL* ART EXHIBITION
Just Like A Girl*, a collaborative exhibition at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center in celebration of Women’s History Month. The exhibition, running from March 15 -April 6, 2025, aims to challenge stereotypes and showcase the creativity, strength, and vision of young female artists.
The exhibition aims to explore and redefine the phrase Just Like A Girl* through their art—flipping outdated narratives and demonstrating the power, resilience, and brilliance of girls in the creative world.
We look forward to celebrating the creative voices of young female artists and redefining what it means to make art Just Like A Girl!*
*All artists are female or identify as female or non-binary. All artists are between the ages of 10 and 20.
Free Event
Opening Reception Saturday March 15 From 2PM - 5PM
Urban Cone Ice Cream for sale
Light Refreshments Provided
Additional Viewing Days: 3/16, 3/22, 3/23, 3/29, 3/30, 4/5, 4/6 | 2 - 4PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Works of Art
Pictures from Opening Reception
1978 Arts Center Art Exhibition: “Ancestral Call”
In Honor of Black History Month
1978 Arts Center Art Exhibition: “Ancestral Call”
Featured Artist Danielle Scott
Curated by Nette Forné Thomas
Opening Beer and Wine Reception
Sunday, February 2nd | 2PM to 5PM
Live Music With Janetza Miranda at 3PM
Free Event
The Ancestral Call Series is featured in a PBS American Masters Series Documentary that premiered last month and will be on PBS mid-April.
See a part of it here with music by Janetza Miranda who will also be at the opening reception.
Ancestral Call Artist Statement
Danielle Scott’s Bio
The exhibit can also be viewed at the gallery on Saturdays and Sundays:
February 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, March 1st | 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Closing Reception March 2nd | 2:00PM - 5:00PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood NJ
Sponsored by Maplewood Arts & Culture
Silver-Based: Darkroom Photography from the SOMA Adult School
Silver-Based: Darkroom Photography from the SOMA Adult School
Photography Instructor:
Richard Cutrona
Photographers featured:
Gianna Calvo
David Kroner
Kristen Brasil
Eva Oleszczuk
Briana O’Handley
Diane Iannacone
Aileen Calderon
Jason Brown
Ray Horner
Philip O’ Neill
Bob Maclay
Opening Reception Saturday, January 18 | 2PM - 4PM
Additional Exhibition Days:
Saturdays & Sundays, Jan 19, 25, 26 | 2PM - 4PM
!978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Light refreshments available at opening reception.
Sponsored by Maplewood Arts & Culture and the SOMA Adult School
Studio Tour SOMA 2024
The 21st Annual Studio Tour SOMA 2024
Artist Registration open until Sept 4 2024.
November 2nd & 3rd, 2024
11am – 5pm | FREE Admission
SOMA Artists Studio Tour
Reimagining Pain Through Art: Closing Reception
Reimagining Pain Through Art: Closing Reception
A powerful performance of autobiographical poetry by actors who embody individuals facing the challenges of rare disease.
Free event
Live Music
Refreshments Provided
Sunday, October 13
2:00PM - 4:00PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
This event coincides with the 1978 Art Exhibit Reimagining Pain Through Art
Click Here To Register
Reimagining Pain Through Art: Meet The Authors
Reimagining Pain Through Art: Author Talk
Featuring Authors Sybil Archibald and Mauvareen Beverley, M.D.
Sybil Archibald
While still in her twenties, Sybil Archibald was diagnosed with the rare autoimmune disease scleroderma and given five years to live. She credits the healing nature of making art with keeping her alive and going strong for more than 25 years. Archibald earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in medieval spirituality from New York University, and trained extensively in traditional sacred arts including medieval manuscript painting at the School of Sacred Arts in Manhattan. Archibald’s work has been shown nationally and internationally in museums, galleries, and universities including the Montclair Art Museum, Art Fair 14C, and Monmouth and Rutgers Universities. She creates out of her studio in Manufacturers Village, East Orange, NJ, and is encouraged by her husband, three dogs, and 12 koi.
Mauvareen Beverley, M.D
Mauvareen Beverley, M.D. is a national thought leader and expert in patient engagement and health equity. She has lectured extensively on health disparities, patient engagement and valuing the human experience. She collaborated with Westchester County Medical Society, Westchester Academy of Medicine, and Putnam County Medical Society in developing the Patient Engagement and Cultural Competence CME Training Program. Her notable publications include “Patient Engagement and Cultural Sensitivity as a Strategy to Improve Health Inequities,” which was published in the Journal of the National Medical Association, “Health Disparities and Epidemics: Perception vs. Reality,” and the scientific poster presentation “Solutions to Health Disparities: The Common Thread, The Human Experience” presented at the American Hospital Association (AHA) Conference in Chicago, March 2022.
This event coincides with the 1978 Art Exhibit Reimagining Pain Through Art
Saturday, October 5 | 2-4PM
1978 Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Exploration of World Music
Exploration of World Music
The Community Coalition on Race in cooperation with Maplewood Arts & Culture present Exploration of World Music.
Ethnomusicologist, performer, and teacher Ahmondylla Best will teach SOMA residents the basics of playing a variety of world music instruments, including the Kalimba or thumb piano which was invented in West Africa over 3000 years ago and alternative vocal techniques. This music experience will be held weekly on Saturday mornings in October including the 5, 19, and 26 from 10:00 AM to 12 noon. All materials will be provided with a minimal use fee or option to buy for the kalimba. Seats are limited to 20 people, so register now to secure your spot.
This class coincides with the 1978 Art Exhibit Reimagining Pain Through Art
Register Here
Artist Talk & Spoken Word
Artist Talk & Spoken Word
September 29 | 2-4PM
1978 Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Renée Leviton: Artist
Renée will be sharing two different - centuries old, oral traditions: Both express the themes of her (visual) Artwork in this Exhibit. 1) Spoken word: “Hope is Life” A poem of empowerment; woven of facts and vivid metaphor. 2) “Sideswiped”, my original song; expressing the power of persistence. Lastly: A brief sharing: being real about her personal “why“, what”, and “how”.
Sheryl O’Connell : Artist
Sheryl will be performing one movement piece and will be reading two poems written by Julie Lauton.
Deborah Fitzgerald: Artist
Deborah will be singing a gospel song and reading a poem
KRYSTLE BOATENG: Artist
Poetry Reading
Genesis Jones: Artist - Author
Poetry reading from her recent book
Artist Talk & Spoken Word coincides with the 1978 Art Exhibit Reimagining Pain Through Art
Reimagining Pain Through Art Workshop: Mandalas
Reimagining Pain Through Art Workshop: Mandalas
Mandalas have been used for thousands of years and represent transformation, patience, and the importance of process
Learn about the history, benefits and how to make a mandala during this workshop. Mindfulness practices will be integrated throughout.
Light refreshments and supplies provided.
Facilitated by Tara James, LCSW, LAAT, ATR-P
Clinical Social Worker and Associate Art Therapist
Saturday, September 28 | 2PM - 4PM
1978 Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
This event coincides with the 1978 Art Exhibit Reimagining Pain Through Art
Reimagining Pain Through Art
Reimagining Pain Through Art
Reimagining Pain Through Art Exhibition @ 1978 Arts Center, curated by Maplewood Arts and Culture and Pathways to Trust, is a monumental event celebrating the power of art as a therapeutic medium and a form of resilience amidst adversity. This exhibition emerges as a platform that not only showcases breathtaking artistic achievements but also serves to unite the community through healing and support initiatives.
Exhibiting Artists are marked by unwavering resilience and creativity, stands as a beacon of hope, courage, and undying spirit. We deeply admire not just their artistic talents, but also their triumph over adversity, utilizing art as a powerful form of therapy and a means to give back to the community that looks up to you.
Schedule Details:
Opening Reception
Date: Thursday, September 12
Time: 6-8:30 PM
Details: Featuring Pfizer
Performing Arts by Greg Burrus
Food Partner: Sandwicheria
"Paint Through Pain" (Mandala Workshop)
Date: September 28 (Open to Public)
Time: 2-4PM
Details: A therapeutic Art session focusing on expressing and healing through art.
Supplies: All supplies included
Partnership w/ Newark Beth Israel & Pathways to Trust
"Artist Talk & Spoken Word"
Date: Sunday, September 29th
Time: 2-4pm
"Meet the Author"
Date: Saturday, October 5
Partners: Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patient Network
Details: Featuring Sickle Cell Authors books where SCD is highlighted in
their stories
“Explore World Music”
Community Coalition on Race
Dates: Saturdays on October 5, 19, 26
Time: 10am-12pm
Supporting Partners:
https://www.maplewoodartsandculture.org
https://www.maplewoodnj.gov/government/public-health-social-services
https://www.pathwaystotrust.org
https://www.togetherforrare.com
https://caresparccommunityconnections.org
https://www.horizonnjhealth.com/ourplans/nj-familycarehttp://www.iamdmuse.com
https://sicklecellspeaks.com
https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org
https://monalisaframing.com
https://www.rwjbh.org/childrens-hospital-of-nj-at-newark-beth-israel/treatment-care/child-life-services/expressive-therapies-programs/
https://www.maplewoodwheelhouse.com
https://homesalesbycaroline.com
https://artillerycreativecannon.com
All events take place at the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, New Jersey
Additional Gallery Hours:
Saturdays & Sundays 2 - 4PM
9/14, 9/15, 9/21, 9/22, 9/28, 9/29, 10/5, 10/6, 10/12, 10/13
Fluid Forms Art Exhibition
In Celebration of Pride Month
Maplewood Arts & Culture Presents "Fluid Forms": A Vibrant Exhibition Celebrating LGBTQ+ Artists
*** Artist & Curator Talk on Friday, July 12 from 6PM - 8PM ***
Maplewood, NJ - Maplewood Arts and Culture is thrilled to announce the upcoming exhibition "Fluid Forms," showcasing a diverse array of LGBTQ+ artists. This groundbreaking show, curated by CHS graduate, Cheyenne Allegra Ceasar of Newark Arts, Haus Allegra and Zakiyyah Williams, Manager of Maplewood Arts and Culture, aims to highlight the richness and diversity within the LGBTQ+ artistic community.
"Fluid Forms" will open its doors for a grand reception on June 1, 2024, from 5PM to 8PM at the prestigious 1978 Art Center located at 1978 Springfield Ave., Maplewood, NJ. The evening promises to be a celebration of creativity and inclusion, featuring live performances and talks from notable figures in the LGBTQ+ arts community.
The exhibition is honored to feature works by South Orange LGBTQ+ artist Luis Alves. A major part of his coming out was inspired by the 1978 arts community. "Fluid Forms" will offer attendees a unique opportunity to explore the complexities and beauty of LGBTQ+ experiences through various artistic mediums.
1978 Art Exhibition: Fluid Forms
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, New Jersey
*** Opening Reception June 1 from 5PM - 8PM ***
Additional Exhibition Hours on Saturdays and Sundays in June from 2PM - 4PM
6/2, 6/8, 6/9, 6/15, 6/16, 6/22, 6/23, 6/29, 6/30, 7/6 & 7/7
For a complete listing of all the events for Pride in Maplewood & South orange, please visit OUTINMAPSO.org
Garden State Art Weekend at 1978 Arts Center
Garden State Art Weekend at 1978 Arts Center
Garden State Art Weekend, featuring over 120 museums and galleries across New Jersey.
Join us, April 19th-21st at 1978 Arts Center, 1978 Springfield Ave., Maplewood, NJ, where we weave together the wisdom of experience and the vibrancy of youth!
Maplewood Arts and Culture proudly presents “Timeless Ties: A Generational Art Fusion.”
A statewide celebration of creativity. This special event shines a spotlight on the powerful collaboration between local seasoned artists 65+, and the Columbia High School Accomplishing Artists. Experience the magic of intergenerational dialogue as these diverse artists bridge the gap, sharing skills, perspectives, and passion. Embrace the beauty of inclusivity as we unite different generations, showcasing that art knows no age. Together, let's honor the past, imagine the future, and inspire each other through the universal language of art. Don't miss this captivating journey through New Jersey's thriving art scene – a testament to the enduring power of collaboration across generations.
Opening Beer & Wine Reception - Friday, April 19th | 4 -8PM
Kick-off the festivities with an electrifying opening reception that promises to ignite your artistic soul.
Saturday Fun - Saturday, April 20th | 12 - 6PM
Saturday's focus shifts to the community spirit with local cultural food vendors, thrilling live performances, and a treasure trove of artist resources for all to enjoy!
Closing Reception - Sunday, April 21 | 12 - 4PM
Join us on Sunday for the grand finale! Witness the students' brilliant presentations and engage in an engaging artist circle. Dive into interactive Q&A sessions and conversations with local arts organizations, students, and seasoned local artists.
Garden State Art Weekend is a one-of-a-kind, state-wide celebration of art in New Jersey. The mission is to create an inclusive, once-a-year art weekend for all to enjoy, inspired by Upstate Art Weekend in New York. For more information, visit gardenstateartweekend.org.
Participating Artists
Sandra Charlap
Carolos Sanchez
Arlene Hirst
Lois Rubin
Barbara Schneider
Debra Stamm
Barbara Ostrowsky
Peter Astor S
Cathy McCoy Bristol
Sharon Murano
Roseann Laucirica
Lisa Novemsky
Rosa Aiello
Nette Forne Thomas
Eliane Wladyg
Mary Franklin
Francoise Moreau
Eastern Bluebird
Radishes Watercolor
Corinne Jin-Hendel
Samuel TaberKewene
Regie Deeble Jackson
Jordan Kinley
Hannah Edelman
Kathie Romano
Judith T. Kramer
Ike Hempstead
1978 Art Exhibition: Embellished
Artist Talk and Last Day To View Exhibit
Saturday, March 30 between 2 and 4.
Come and Meet the Artists!
In Celebration of Women’s History Month
1978 Art Exhibition: “Embellished”
Featured Artists Chrissy McIntyre, Erin Pickering and Liz Munro
Opening Beer & Wine Reception
Live Music With Classical Spanish Guitarist JanetZa Miranda
Saturday, March 2 | 5PM - 8PM
Free Event
10% of sales go to Turning Point Community Services
The exhibit can also be viewed at the gallery on Saturdays and Sundays:
March 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, & 31 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood NJ
Jazz At The Gallery Featuring Alex Desrivieres The Alleycatsax
In Celebration of Black History Month
Jazz At The Gallery
Celebrate Black History Month with the intersection of art and music, featuring Dynamic Saxophonist Alex Desrivieres the alleycatsax, and the works of local artist Tenjin Ikeda.
Explore how art and music can enhance each other, creating immersive and expressive experiences that stimulate the senses and enrich the soul.
Maplewood Arts and Culture in cooperation with Gregory Burrus Productions has curated a jazzy afternoon of live music during the 1978 Art Exhibition “Expressive Impressions In Linoleum.”
Jazz & Art Session 2
Sunday, Feb 25 | 2 - 4PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, New Jersey
Free Event
1978 Art Exhibition “Expressions In Linoleum”
Complete Listing of Black History Month 2024 Events
Sponsored by Maplewood Arts & Culture
Artist’s Talk & Salon with Tenjin Ikeda
In Celebration of Black History Month
An Artist’s Talk & Salon with Tenjin Ikeda
Tenjin Ikeda is the current artist exhibiting his work at The 1978 Arts Center “Expressive Impressions In Linoleum”.
Join us for an artists’ talk and Salon.
Free Event
February 23 | 6pm - 8pm
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
”Expressive Impressions In Linoleum” Exhibit
Complete Listing of Black History Month 2024 Events
Meet & Greet With Chef Jesse
In Celebration of Black History Month
Maplewood Community Services Presents A Meet & Greet With Chef Jesse
Join Chef Jesse for an evening of conversation and gumbo tasting, “Fat Tuesday” style.
Free Event - but please register
Click to Register Here
Tuesday, February 13th | 5PM - 7PM
1978 Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Complete Listing of Black History Month 2024 Events
Jazz At The Gallery Featuring Nat Adderley Jr. and his Trio
In Celebration of Black History Month
Jazz At The Gallery
Celebrate Black History Month with the intersection of art and music, featuring the iconic music arranger and pianist Nat Adderly Jr. and his Trio, and the works of local artist Tenjin Ikeda.
Explore how art and music can enhance each other, creating immersive and expressive experiences that stimulate the senses and enrich the soul.
Maplewood Arts and Culture in cooperation with Gregory Burrus Productions has curated a jazzy afternoon of live music during the 1978 Art Exhibition “Expressive Impressions In Linoleum.”
Jazz At The Gallery
Sunday, Feb 4 | 2 - 4PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, New Jersey
Free Event
1978 Art Exhibition “Expressions In Linoleum”
Complete Listing of Black History Month 2024 Events
Sponsored by Maplewood Arts & Culture
1978 Art Center Photo Gallery
![20240127_184419[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64b4669658b1ac25b9c6226e/7c393626-7874-4c8e-b265-4cbf6951cd0e/20240127_184419%5B1%5D.jpg)
