(SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (VACNJ) opened the exhibit Focus Forward, a virtual exhibition of work by members of the New Jersey Photography Forum (NJPF), on July 10th. Co-founded by Nancy Ori and the late Michael Creem, 25 years ago, the NJPF is dedicated to furthering the interests of fine art photographers in New Jersey.  NJPF holds their regular meetings at the VACNJ.

Working as a team, Mary Birmingham (Curator), Kimberly Fisher (Exhibitions Manager), and Sarah Walko (Director of Programs and Community Engagement), invited NJPF members to submit recent work that would illustrate where they hoped to take their photographic practices in the future. This exhibition was originally planned as an in-person show in the VACNJ’s Main Gallery but was converted into a virtual exhibition as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The work presented highlights the photography of 26 NJPF members, including Ron Brown, Ruth Brown, Sarah Canfield, Jamin Chen, Glenn Clark, Ken Curtis, Paul Donohoe, Ralph Greene, Theresa Hood, Marv Kaminsky, Kathleen Kirchner, Dorothy Kuehn, Parvathi Kumar, John Markanich, Paul Marvuglio, Leonard McDonald, Charlann Meluso, Charles Miller, Kathleen Nademus, Nancy Ori, Phyllis Raffelson, Mitchell Speert, Tom Stillman, Heidi Sussman, Christine Truhe, and Russ Wills.

“As a local museum, the VACNJ is committed to supporting, nurturing, and advancing the careers of NJ artists,” said Birmingham. “While our galleries remain closed for the summer, we decided it was even more important to continue with this show—especially with its reference to our shared history and its embrace of the future. Though there is no substitute for seeing artworks in person, we quickly became excited about the possibility of a virtual exhibition.”

Focus Forward, along with a digital exhibition catalogue, can be viewed by visiting artcenternj.org, through August 30, 2020. Visit njphotoforum.com for more information on the NJPF.

For over 85 years, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey has been exclusively dedicated to viewing, making, and learning about contemporary art. Recognized as a leading non-profit arts organization, the Art Center’s renowned Studio School, acclaimed exhibitions, and educational outreach initiatives serve thousands of youth, families, seniors, and people with special needs every year.

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is located at 68 Elm Street in Summit, NJ. The building is currently closed to the public due to the global pandemic but will reopen on July 6 for summer camp and art classes. All gallery spaces will be closed for the summer.  

Major support for the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is provided in part by the Peter R. & Cynthia K. Kellogg Foundation; the Wilf Family Foundations; and Art Center members and donors.

IMAGES: (TOP) Nancy Ori, Glass Ceiling, archival inkjet on canvas, 30 x 30 inches

(BOTTOM) Paul Marvuglio, Gehry Curves, digital photograph, 14 x 16 inches