ABstract EXpressions Contemporary Art Gallery held an exhibit of paintings by Wanamassa, New Jersey artist Joe Zarra.

Mr. Zarra’s large scale works are inspired by the impressionists, and reflect the movement of color and how it interacts with an experimental composition. “Although I consider myself an abstract painter,” he states, “there is an overall feel of landscape and seascape to my work.” The paintings are on wood which is cut apart and reassembled to form an overall abstract and aesthetic image.

The exhibit continues through November 28.

Also on display in the Gallery are paintings by selected Gallery artists; ceramics by Nancy Reese, Helge Speth, Rose Marie Strippoli and Eric Wolff; sculpture by Dan Becker, Jim Haner, Medy Quiroz, and Kelly Vaughan; furniture by William Robbins; and turned wood items by Buren Gilpin and Scot Shultes.

The Summer of Sculpture exhibit was held until the end of September at Mount Holly’s ABstract EXpressions Contemporary Art Gallery featuring Quakertown, PA artist Dan Becker’s whimsical found object creations. His imaginative Buck Rogers era rocket ships and robots delighted the eye. Continuing the found object theme, Mount Holly’s Jim Haner’s welded steel masks, busts, and figures were added to the exhibit. Jim turns weathered farm and garden implements into surprisingly evocative pieces ranging from a small leaping ballerina to a nearly life-sized singing cowboy.

“In keeping with the times, found object sculpture is a very “green” trend, and the Gallery is filled with wonderfully creative pieces,” says Gallery director James Kent.

Manasquan artist Buren Gilpin’s turned wood vessels are another recent addition to the Gallery. Made of natural cherry and vibrantly stained holly, these thin-walled feather-light vessels are accented with delicate pierced cutwork.

Also on display in the main Gallery were paintings by Jean Hutter, James Kent, Wayne Lerman, Tyrrell Masse, Medy Quiroz, Lois Sewing, and Leona Tenebruso-Shultes; ceramics by Holli Hollingsworth, Nancy Reese, Helge Speth, and Eric Wolff; furniture by William Robbins; and turned wood bowls by Scot Shultes.

On view from April 24 through June 5, 2009 was an exhibit featuring recent paintings by New Jersey artists Jean Hutter of Lakewood and Sheila Grabarsky of Waretown.

A riot of vibrant color welcomed visitors to the Gallery. Jean’s paintings immediately evoke abstract landscapes, with their overlapping planes, mysterious objects, and intriguing details. Sheila’s paintings may call to mind flowers or interior scenes. Their swirling organic forms embrace the viewer in a world of movement.

Also on display in the Gallery were whimsical found-object sculptures by Dan Becker of Quakertown, PA; wire sculptures by Medy Quiroz of Red Bank; ceramics by Holli Hollingsworth of Pipersville, PA, Nancy Reese of Pennsauken, Helge Speth of Wenonah, and Eric Wolff of Burlington; furniture by William Robbins of Vincentown; and turned wood bowls by Scot Shultes of Middletown.

On view from March 6 through April 17, 2009 was the show “Equinox” featuring paintings by Michael Boyle of Palmyra, NJ and Howard Brotman of Willow Grove, PA, and ceramic sculptures by Holli Hollingsworth of Pipersville, PA. Many of Boyle’s large canvases and works on paper contain loop-like forms floating in a space composed of drips and palette knife effects, washed with marble dust creating the look of time worn frescoes. Brotman’s oil pastels place vivid colors in geometric contexts that reduce line, shape, and space to minimal but essential elements. Hollingsworth’s sculptures evoke a sense of place – landscapes, mountains, or sections of aged, lichen-covered walls. As has become the “trademark” of exhibits at ABstract EXpressions Gallery, this show explores the connections and common points of inspiration among the artists and their works.

Also on display in the Gallery were whimsical found-object sculptures by Dan Becker of Quakertown, PA; wire sculptures by Medy Quiroz of Red Bank; ceramics by Nancy Reese of Pennsauken, Helge Speth of Wenonah, and Eric Wolff of Burlington; furniture by William Robbins of Vincentown; and turned wood bowls by Scot Shultes of Middletown.

On view from January 16 through February 27, 2009 was a show featuring paintings by Lois Sewing of Middletown and Leona Tenebruso-Shultes of Red Bank. Returning for the 2009 season, both artists were featured in solo and group shows in 2008 at the Gallery. Their lyrical abstract works filled the Gallery with abundant vibrant color.

Leona’s husband Scot contributed his turned wood bowls to this exhibit. The bowls are skillful creations that mix colorful exotic species of wood. Also on display in the Gallery were whimsical found-object sculptures by Dan Becker of Quakertown, PA; wire sculptures by Medy Quiroz of Red Bank; ceramics by Nancy Reese of Pennsauken, Helge Speth of Wenonah, and Eric Wolff of Burlington; and furniture by William Robbins of Vincentown.

On view from November 28 through January 9, 2009 was a show featuring paintings by Wayne Lerman of Red Bank and Tyrrell “Peggy” Masse of Monmouth Beach. Lerman’s large and energetic paintings exhibit a strong geometric structure traceable to his vocation as an architect. Masse’s works, with their own meditative energy, provide an interesting counterpoint.

Also on display in the Gallery were whimsical found-object sculptures by Dan Becker of Quakertown, PA; wire sculptures by Medy Quiroz of Red Bank; ceramics by Nancy Reese of Pennsauken, Helge Speth of Wenonah, and Eric Wolff of Burlington; and furniture by William Robbins of Vincentown.