Somerset County Launches Art Show With 40 Park Landscapes
The Open Air / Open Space Art Project puts 40 works on display. Artists spent time in 12 county parks, using paint to catch views across 15,000 acres.
A new art exhibit showcasing Somerset County's focus on open space preservation has opened in Somerville. The display runs until the end of 2025.
The Open Air / Open Space Art Project puts 40 works on display. Artists spent time in 12 county parks, using paint to catch views across 15,000 acres. Their methods range from simple watercolors to mixed styles with bold colors.
"Every day, countless residents venture into our scenic parks, award-winning gardens, top-notch recreational facilities, and amazing nature trails to escape the stress of life and work," Deputy Director Melonie Marano, liaison to the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission said in a news release.
Each artist worked outside for months. They sat in fields and woods, putting real scenes right onto canvas. Thirty painters came from towns all over Somerset County. Six more joined from other parts of New Jersey.
The art shows spots like Colonial Park and Duke Island Park. Visitors will see scenes from East County Park, Little Brook Sanctuary, and Lord Stirling Park. Pictures from Natirar, North Branch Park, and five other parks fill the walls.
Katie Himics runs the program. She thinks art helps people care about saving land. "Through art, this project series provides an accessible entry point for the public into the work that the County does to preserve our farmland, open space, and historic assets," she said.
This show marks part two of a series about saving county land. First came Farm to Frame, with art from local farms. Next year brings Hues of History, showing old buildings and sites.
The county aims to keep 24,000 acres safe from building. Right now, protected spots give people places to play while helping nature stay strong.
On Oct. 23 at 6:00 p.m., the gallery will host an opening party. They'll pick the juried winners that night. In 2026, the art moves to other spots around the county.
Four county groups back the show: Cultural & Heritage Commission, Park Commission, Open Space Preservation Program, and Board of County Commissioners. Want to come to the party? Call 908-231-7022.
