Bergen Point is fast becoming a hotbed of Bayonne art and culture. On Saturday, Sept. 24, Celebrate Boho Art, an art festival in the Bergen Point section, celebrated with the grand opening of the art community’s newest addition, The Bridge Art Gallery, while across the street the Crafty Fox was holding children’s painting classes, and Boho Yoga, only a few blocks down, held its own art show later on.
Anthony and Elsie Sinkiewicz, who cofounded the Bayonne Art Circle with two others, were at the Bridge Art Gallery for the opening. “It’s a long time coming. It’s a beautiful gallery. The work is absolutely magnificent,” said Elsie. The couple, both artists, used to go to Jersey City to experience art, but now it’s a two-way street. “We’re absolutely delighted to see another venue for artists because there was nothing 10 years ago.”
Anthony and Elsie enjoy helping people look at art in a different way. “It’s so subjective. You never know what’s going to grab you,” said Anthony. Looking at a piece in acrylic and ink called “Mantramugdha,” which means “mesmerizing,” by Nupur Nishith, Elise was mesmerized. “The first time I saw this, she has her name buried in. I thought it was an ink mark, but she does it with a brush,” said Elsie. “It’s so intricate and beautiful. Can you imagine how many hours this took?
Natalia Oleshkevich, a Russian-born jewelry maker,walked into the gallery with a rose for cofounder, Cheryl Mack. “You are talking to hands down the best jewelry designer ever,” said Mack. “I’ve never seen work as beautiful and intricate as hers.” Oleshkevich was wearing one of her handmade rings, with a part that spins around the band, revealing answers to questions like a magic eight ball, a style she calls “conceptual.” “I know most of the artists in Bayonne,” Oleshkevich said.“I think [the art community] is picking up. Three or four years ago nothing was happening too much and now there’s many spaces.”
Christopher Mack, Cheryl’s husband and cofounder, said he and Cheryl hope to host artist workshops, talks, and book signings in the future. “The reception has been very warm, inviting, and exciting,” Cheryl said.“We’ve had a steady stream of people coming in all day.”
Across the street
Nina Nelson of the Crafty Fox was out during the day handing out paint sets to children “because we figured if the kids got really inspired by the gallery they should have an outlet,” she said. The watercolor sets are the same ones they use to host Canvas Club, where Matthew Costanzo, 8, made four canvas paintings – one of a racoon, one of the Hollywood sign, one of ice cream, and another more abstract painting of a spectrum of colors. Starting from the red shade on the left, he explained, “This is a true color and you don’t mix it with paint. This one you only use the true color, and you put white in it. This one you take the true color, and then you put gray in it. Then we used the true color to make this one, and we mixed it with black.” Of the painting experience, he said, “I feel amazed. It gives you something to do and makes you feel relaxed.”
Participating artists at the Bridge Art Gallery opening included Tiffany Patrice (tpatrice.com), Tejaswini (artisticpossibilities.com), Nupur Nishith (creativemithila.com), Atlanta-based Maurice Evans (mauriceevans.com), and Montclair-based Ted Papoulas (tedpapoulas.com). For more information on the gallery and to see Christopher Mack’s art, visit bridgeartgallery.net. Oleshkevich’s jewelry can be found on her website at Victorona.com.
Rory Pasquariello may be reached at roryp@hudsonreporter.com.