Skylands Art Gallery holds opening

WANTAGE — Skylands Gallery & Studio celebrated its new exhibition — New Beginnings — on Jan. 10 with an opening show.

The Skylands Gallery artists were overwhelmed by the more than 200 people who came out to support local arts. It was an enjoyable evening of fine art, and complimentary live music and food. The guests were entertained by local musician Peter Lister and members of the Binghamton, N.Y., www.milkweedtheband.com.

The artists included in the New Beginnings exhibition are local artists: Carol Chave, Rima Hamade, Lisa Lopez, John Maione Jr, Janet O’Neil, Diane Suter and Bruce Young. Besides over 100 original works by the artists, they also unveiled 11 brand new works of art. Four Skylands artists, Lopez, Maione, O’Neil and Suter also created original works to benefit Under My Wing Avian Refuge located in Wantage. Paula N. Ashfield of the refuge was a special guest at the opening show. The four artists gave Under My Wing four hand-signed prints of the original works for their upcoming 2015 fundraiser.

In addition, through the month of January 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of these paintings will be donated to Under My Wing. The refuge is a “no-kill” exotic bird sanctuary which was founded in 2007. The refuge is currently caring for roughly 100 birds. You can find more information about the refuge on their website: www.undermywing.org.

The current exhibition will run until the gallery’s next opening show Saturday, Feb. 7. Skylands Gallery & Studio is located in the Town Center at Wantage, 7 Boulder Hills Blvdand regular hours are Thursday through Saturday noon – 6 p.m. and Sunday, noon until 4 p.m.