Stone Harbor, NJ gallery to host seven extraordinary exhibits with guest artists
For the 2019 summer season, Ocean Galleries hosts seven amazing art exhibitions featuring the artwork of and appearances by Samir Sammoun, Mackenzie Thorpe, Stephen Harlan, Josef Kote, and the multi-talented Jane Seymour, as well as two special exhibitions with the artwork collections from The Art of Dr. Seuss and the iconic Peter Max. Guests will have the opportunity to view and acquire artwork, and to meet the artists and/or curators (Dr. Seuss and Peter Max exhibits) in intimate gallery receptions.
All exhibitions take place at the Stone Harbor location of Ocean Galleries (9618 Third Avenue/609-368-7777) and are open to the public with all artwork available for acquisition.
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Samir Sammoun – Master Impressionist
ARTIST RECEPTIONS: Saturday, May 25 & Sunday May 26 – 7-10 PM
Ocean Galleries welcomes renowned Canadian-Lebanese Impressionist, Samir Sammoun, over Memorial Day weekend for his first ever exhibition in the gallery. Samir began painting oils at the young age of 13, inspired by the beautiful landscapes of his native Joun, Lebanon, particularly his family’s 1,000-year-old olive plantation. His impressionistic art has been compared to some of the great Masters, most often, to Van Gogh, as well as Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro, while his colorful and masterful paintings have garnered admiration from collectors in Canada, Lebanon, the U.S., and around the world. In addition to the olive, poppies, and landscape scenes inspired by his Lebanese roots, Samir finds inspiration in other places he visits and resides, from Quebec to the coasts of Sunny Isles, Florida. The new exhibit, “Master Impressionist,” features more than 70 original oil paintings including many seascapes, landscapes, and cityscapes, and numerous pieces created specifically for the Stone Harbor exhibit, such as beach scenes and regional cityscapes from New York and Philadelphia.
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Theodor Seuss Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) – The Cat Behind the Hat!
CURATORIAL RECEPTIONS: Friday, June 14 & Saturday, June 15 – 7-10 PM; Sunday, June 16 – 1-4 PM
Ocean Galleries will share a compelling selection of artworks from The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection over Father’s Day weekend when they debut “The Cat Behind the Hat!” exhibit, a series of print and bronze limited-edition art. Guests are invited to join Art of Dr. Seuss collection representative, Jeff Schuffman, as he discusses this first time showing during special receptions. “The beloved Dr. Seuss artwork exhibits have become somewhat of an annual Stone Harbor tradition enjoyed by kids of all ages. Our gallery was fortunate to be chosen to host ‘The Cat Behind the Hat!’ collection for the very first time, so it will be fun to debut the art featuring the renowned cat to the shore area!” said Ocean Galleries owner Kim Miller. “We love that our customers can share the joy in this whimsical collection with their entire family and introduce new generations to fine art.” The new collection of art featured in “The Cat Behind the Hat!” exhibit will include serigraphs, mixed media, and fine art on paper and canvas, as well as bronze sculptures, all highlighting the famous feline with names every bit as interesting as the colorful and clever cat himself, such as “The Great Cat Continuum,” “Venetian Cat Signing Oh Solo Meow,” and “Singing Cats.”
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Mackenzie Thorpe – 30 Years of Love
ARTIST RECEPTIONS: Friday, June 21 & Saturday, June 22 – 7-10 PM; Sunday, June 23 – 1-4 PM
He has achieved global success in galleries throughout the UK, America, Japan, and Australia, counting such notable collectors as J. K. Rowling, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and Tom Hardy, among his fans. For the weekend of the summer solstice, Ocean Galleries is delighted to welcome Mackenzie Thorpe for his first ever exhibition in New Jersey. His artistic journey has taken him from the shipyards of Middlesbrough to internationally acclaim as one of today’s most collected and sought-after artists. Rooted in authenticity, Mackenzie’s artwork is packed with emotional expression and speaks of hope and love, as well as struggle and challenge. The need and compulsion to draw was obvious from an early age and remains with Mackenzie today. His works express an entire range of human emotion, from the special bond of love and friendship, to the importance of self-reflection and individual triumphs. Each or his artwork pieces are a tribute to the creativity within us all, as well as a vivid expression of hope and the human spirit. The “Mackenzie Thorpe – 30 Years of Love” art exhibit includes an outstanding collection of pastels, sculptures, and limited-edition prints.
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Peter Max – Woodstock 50th Anniversary
POSTPONED
The Peter Max exhibit originally scheduled for the Fourth of July holiday weekend is postponed, with plans to reschedule. All of us at Ocean Galleries offer our deepest condolences to Peter and his family on the loss of his wife, Mary.
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Stephen Harlan – Water’s Edge
ARTIST RECEPTIONS: Friday, July 19 & Saturday, July 20 – 7-10 PM; Sunday, July 21 – 1-4 PM
Making his first appearance at Ocean Galleries, Stephen Harlan will be in Stone Harbor the weekend of July 19-21. In a world moving quickly into the future, Stephen Harlan has established his own unique style of digital artwork. Each inspired work in his collection is “visioned” and shaped in Stephen’s mind, then meticulously rendered with an eye to “color and contrast” to create a magical mood – suspended in time…in space… and in the imagination. Born in rural Minnesota, Harlan relocated with his family to Florida when he was in grade school, which inspired his love of the water having spent many days sailing into the sunset on his catamaran. Investigating the uniqueness of harbors and sunsets became a passion and his nautical focus continues to grow deeper every day, with the never-ending inspiration that comes from carefully observing the sea and the water in all of their contrasts. After relocating to California with his wife, his artistic style expanded, with images of the southwest and several other areas of inspiration becoming a part of his portfolio. Stephen’s portfolio of abstract images also grew as increased interest and requests from California and West Coast collectors surfaced. Today, the Harlan family resides in North Carolina, where the Atlantic Ocean and Intercoastal Waterway serve as a constant source of stimulation for future work.
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Josef Kote – Letting Go: Serenity Found
ARTIST RECEPTIONS: Friday, August 9 & Saturday, August 10 – 7-10 PM; Sunday, August 11 – 1-4 PM
Back by popular demand, Josef Kote returns to Stone Harbor in August with an all new collection of his extraordinary artwork. Having gained international recognition, Kote is best known for his distinctive style and technique which blend classic academic and abstract elements, fused together with his signature drip effect, to create breathtaking artwork. His paintings have been described as symphonies of light and color that are lyrically stunning and romantic, as well as edgy and current. Kote’s trademark style includes bold brushwork and sweeping strokes of vibrant color – often through the use of a pallet knife – alongside monochromatic areas devoid of detail; the result of these unique techniques are paintings that enthrall the viewer with an incredible energy. One of Kote’s favorite subject matters is the water, as evident in many of his paintings which have nautical themes, including numerous new oceanscapes and water-themed paintings that he created specifically for the Stone Harbor exhibition after being inspired from previous visits to the quaint seaside community.
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Jane Seymour – California Colorist
ARTIST RECEPTIONS: Friday, August 30 & Saturday, August 31 -7-10 PM; Sunday, September 1 – 1-4 PM
It is a thrill to welcome the multitalented Jane Seymour to Ocean Galleries over Labor Day weekend when she brings her latest collection of gorgeous oil paintings, watercolors, and bronze sculptures to Stone Harbor. Ms. Seymour began painting over 20 years ago as part of a healing process for personal challenges experienced at that time. Since then, Ms. Seymour has emerged as an established and accomplished painter, creating an intimate world of delicate watercolors, colorful vibrant oil paintings, pastels, and bronze sculptures. A multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning actress, Jane Seymour has proven her talents in virtually all media, the Broadway stage, motion pictures, and television, and is an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) recipient. Additionally, she has written over 10 books and launched Jane Seymour Designs, a national lifestyle brand inspired by her homes, art, and family-centered lifestyle. Often described as a California colorist, Ms. Seymour believes that her art reflects the essence of who she is. Her collection of expressive art often reflects her passions in life, such as flower gardening, which is evident in her colorful flower arrangements, detailed landscapes, and lush garden paintings and watercolors. Ms. Seymour’s new Ocean Galleries exhibition also includes numerous beachscapes and figurative paintings, many of which were inspired by her home life in Malibu, CA and recent visits to the East Coast.
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