Art League of the Chathams

Chatham Senior Will Farkas awarded 2024 Art League of the Chathams Scholarship

on July 9, 2024

Press Release: Will Farkas, 2024 Rosemary Howlett Art Scholarship Winner

Submitted by Khaya Peluso and Alison Hooper

Chatham, NJ – Will Farkas, a talented senior from Chatham High School, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Rosemary Howlett Art Scholarship by the Art League of the Chathams. This accolade recognizes Will’s exceptional talent and dedication to the arts, marking a significant achievement in his artistic journey.

From an early age, Will has embraced creativity as a means of self-expression and exploration. Reflecting on his artistic process, Will describes it as intuitive and deeply personal. His pieces often explore themes rooted in personal experience, ranging from introspective self-portraits to abstract interpretations of emotion and identity.

Reflecting on his influences, Will credits his upbringing and the support of his family. His grandmother, a talented acrylic artist, and his father, also creatively inclined, have played pivotal roles in nurturing his passion for art since childhood. Will also acknowledges the guidance and inspiration from his art teachers at Chatham High School, particularly Mr. Eric Hreha, Mr. Kenji Hasegawa, and Ms. Janet Kraemer, who is retiring in 2024.

Will’s artistic achievements extend beyond the classroom. His work was recently selected for display at the prestigious Annual High School Student Show hosted by Morris Arts and Blackwell Street Center for the Arts. Among hundreds of submissions, Will’s piece earned a place at the renowned Atrium Gallery in Morristown’s Morris County Administration & Records Building.

Outside of art, Will is an accomplished drummer who performs regularly and played varsity Volleyball at Chatham High School. He enjoys camping and the outdoors, spending summers in Maine at a camp where he will now be a counselor.

Looking forward, Will plans to pursue a degree in Fine Arts at TCNJ, where he aims to further develop his artistic skills and explore art education. “In college, I’m majoring in fine arts, and I am considering concentrating into an art education program in the future” he shares. “Regardless of what direction I take, I will be in the studio and at home/in the dorm as often as I can, making stuff..”

For more information about Will Farkas and to view his artwork, please visit his Instagram account that showcases his portfolio at instagram.com/will.art.farkas. 

The Art League of the Chathams celebrates Will Farkas for his artistic accomplishments and for his dedication to creativity and innovation. Through initiatives like the Rosemary Howlett Art Scholarship, the Art League of the Chathams continues to support and inspire the next generation of artists in the Chatham community.

The Art League of the Chathams (ALC) has three shows a year at the Chatham Twp. Municipal Building, 58 Meyersville Road, Chatham Twp. and is open to new members. For more information, go to artleagueofthechathams.org.

Originality, original work by Will Farkas, recipient of the Rosemary Howlett Art Scholarship presented by the Art League of the Chathams

Image of Will Farkas, recipient of the Rosemary Howlett Scholarship for Art presented by the Art League of the Chathams.

Image of original artwork by Will Farkas titled “Originality” and photo of the artist.

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Spring Show Opening Reception Is Sunday, March 10

“Around the Inlet,” an acrylic on canvas by Sally Abbott.

The Opening Reception of the ALC Spring Show will be held Sunday, March 10, 2024 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Chatham Township Municipal Building at 58 Meyersville Road.

The show will feature “Sally Abbott: Favorite Paintings,” a solo show of Sally Abbott’s best work, in the Lundt-Glover Gallery. Live music will be provided by popular tenor Matt Zabiegala.

The exhibit by the league’s general membership will be displayed in the strolling gallery.

The exhibits are free to the public and handicapped accessible.

The artwork in both the general and the gallery shows may be viewed in the municipal building until June 4, 2024, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

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Winter Show Opening Reception Is Sunday, Dec. 3

Roosevelt Island Tram by Yolanda Fundora

“Roosevelt Island Tram,” a digital print by Yolanda Fundora.

The Opening Reception for the ALC Winter Friends & Family Show will be held Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Chatham Township Municipal Building at 58 Meyersville Road.

The reception will include a holiday boutique, music by the Kings Road Band, a solo show featuring the digital artwork of Yolanda Fundora, and an exhibit by the league’s general membership and their invited guests.

The show is free and open to the public. The solo show, “Station Stops on the Time Machine,” will be in the Lundt-Glover Gallery and the general membership show will be in the strolling gallery.

The artwork in both the general and the gallery shows will remain on display in the municipal building until March 5, 2024, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Fall Show Opening Reception Sunday, Sept. 10

Plein Air Perspectives

 

The Opening Reception of the ALC Fall Show will be held Sunday, Sept.10, 2023 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Chatham Township Municipal Building at 58 Meyersville Road.

The show will feature “Plein Air Perspectives,” a small group exhibit in the Lundt-Glover Gallery with works by six ALC artists who paint together outdoors (plein air means “outdoors” in French) :

P.J. Aduskevicz

Donatella Casirola Bocchieri

Rita Riekstins Feeney

Nancy Kingman

Betsy Mirabelli

Debora Thedinga

The exhibit by the league’s general membership will be displayed in the strolling gallery. The artwork in both the general and the gallery shows may be viewed in the municipal building until Nov. 26, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

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P.J. Aduskevicz

P.J. Aduskevicz is a landscape painter. What excites her most about landscapes is the versatility of the subject matter, which allows her to paint a range of images, from realistic to abstract. “I am intrigued by taking a landscape scene and simplifying it to the point that it is abstract but, at the same time, still reads as realism because of its basic shapes,” she said.

Playing with color is her favorite part of the painting process. She experiments with hue, value, and saturation to make colors harmonize. The results can be colors that sing next to each other, support the tone, and even sparkle. P.J. also loves to create moods and mystery through the use of color, line work, and bold marks. Perhaps most satisfying, she said, is a finished artwork that makes the viewer linger and go hmm.

P.J. works in pastel and oil. She is a member of the New Jersey Pastel Society, as well as the NJPAP and the ALC. She takes classes with Julie Friedman at ArtSpace Studio in Morristown and has studied with John Traynor, Barbara Jaenicke, and Jacob Aguiar.

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Spring Show Opening Sunday, March 12

The Art League of the Chathams Spring Show will open on Sunday, March 12, with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Chatham Township Municipal Building, 58 Meyersville Road. The show runs until September 6.

The exhibit by the League’s general membership will be held in the strolling gallery.

In addition, an exhibit titled “Snap, Draw, Paint—Two Friends Together” will feature works by painter Kathy Havens and photographer Larry Kerner. Their show can be viewed in the Lundt-Glover Gallery.

Artwork for the general show will be received at the municipal building on Tuesday, March 7, from noon until 2 p.m., and participants are asked to deliver their work between noon and 12:30 p.m., if possible.

The art in both shows can be viewed during the building’s regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

“Red Barn,” an oil painting by Kathy Havens.“Red Barn,” an oil painting by Kathy Havens.

 

“Watch Hill, RI—Reflections,” a photograph by Larry Kerner.

 

Kathy Havens with some of her paintings.

 

Larry Kerner

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Remembering Rosemary Howlett

Rosemary Howlett, past President and longtime Exhibits Cochair of the Art League of the Chathams, died on Dec. 9, 2022.

For her family and friends and for the Art League of the Chathams, this a great loss and one that has occurred too soon.

Rosemary loved the Art League and devoted her time and energy to its membership and its activities. She served more than six years (2007-2009; 2013-2016) as its President and was very proud of the League’s accomplishments during that period. Of those accomplishments, Rosemary was especially proud that the League instituted the Arts Scholarship, an annual award given to a Chatham High School senior who is continuing to pursue art after graduation.

During her tenure as President, the League strengthened its financial position. The organization celebrated its 20th and 25th anniversaries during that time period, holding events that were both fun and financially successful. Solo shows in the Lundt-Glover Gallery expanded.

For the Howletts, participation in the Art League has been a family affair. Rosemary’s husband John served as treasurer for many years, and both continued helping to organize the exhibits at the ChathamTownship Municipal Building.

Rosemary was a watercolorist and her interest in that medium drew her to join the Art League. With a longtime interest in Asian art, she studied Chinese brush painting and “just loved it, loved it,” she said. She thoroughly enjoyed time spent in a workshop in Chinese brush painting in China.

Rosemary was one of three Art League members who painted murals in the foyer of the Municipal Building at the request of the mayor in 2010. Her mural is a winter scene of the Great Swamp.

Rosemary Howlett

Rosemary Howlett with her mural, which is in the foyer of the Chatham Township Municipal Building

Read her obituary here: Rosemary Ann Howlett, 75, Artist, Entrepreneur & Grandparent Extraordinaire.

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ALC Winter 2022-2023 Group Show & Deborah Fennelly Solo Show

The opening reception of the ALC Winter Friends & Family Show was held Dec. 11 at the Chatham Township Municipal Building, 58 Meyersville Road, Chatham Township.

In addition to an exhibition of artwork by the general membership, the reception included a solo show featuring watercolors by Deborah Fennelly in the Lundt-Glover Gallery and a holiday boutique. 

The artwork in the solo show, “Seascapes, Landscapes and More,” and the general membership show will remain on display at the municipal building during regular business hours through mid-March.

Below are photos from the opening reception.

Chatham Township Committeewomen Stacey Ewald, left, and Celeste Fondaco in front of Celeste’s painting.

Deborah Fennelly, right, and her mother, Lucille, at Deborah’s solo show in the Lundt-Glover Gallery.

Khaya Peluso, ALC’s new membership chair, at a table at the holiday boutique.

Craig and Ellie Culver at the opening reception.

(Photos by Larry Kerner)

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Winter Show Opening Reception Is Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022

The Opening Reception for the ALC Winter Friends & Family Show will be held on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Chatham Township Municipal Building at 58 Meyersville Road in Chatham Township.

This show will include a holiday boutique, a solo show featuring watercolors by Deborah Fennelly, and exhibition of artwork by the general membership and their invited guests.

The solo show, “Seascapes, Landscapes and More,” will be in the Lundt-Glover Gallery and the general membership show will be in the strolling gallery. Kings Road Band will play at the reception.

“Beach House and Bench,” a watercolor by Deborah Fennelly, will be in her solo show “Seascapes, Landscapes and More” in the Lundt-Glover Gallery.

Deborah Fennelly

“Beach House and Bench,” a watercolor by Deborah Fennelly, will be in her solo show “Seascapes, Landscapes and More” in the Lundt-Glover Gallery.

The reception is free and open to the public.

The art in the solo show and the general membership show will remain on display at the municipal building through mid-March.

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