The artwork of 24 member artists, "Bridging the Space Between" has been on view in the art gallery at the Montclair Public Library throughout the month of November. The show is closing on Sunday, Nov. 30.

The exhibition, curated by Studio Montclair member Rachel Leibman, explores the works of crafts-media artists, who are crossing boundaries and bridging the space between fine arts and crafts. On display are works of collage, assemblage, fiber and ceramics by selected Studio Montclair member artists.

Leibman chose to curate a show that highlights the ongoing debate between fine arts and crafts. "The word ‘crafts’ evokes mixed emotions and responses," she stated. "While a skilled craftsperson can be extolled as a master of technique and the maker of beautiful objects, the same person is often disparaged as being somehow less than a true artist — less cerebral, less academic, less highbrow — ‘builder’ as opposed to ‘architect.’ This dichotomy is especially resonant with artists who work in collage, assemblage, fiber and ceramics — media often relegated to the realm of crafts."

Leibman is a collage artist and understands that it can be uncomfortable straddling the arts and crafts camps. Although all artists take pride in the skilled construction and execution of their art, their true aspiration is usually the manifestation of human emotion through their medium. "I wanted to curate an exhibition with other serious artists who also have a foot in each camp," she stated.

The 24 artists in this show work in a very wide range of mediums including textiles, painted wood and glass, paper collage, found objects, pottery and materials from nature. Rayna Gillman is a fiber artist who creates her own hand-printed cloth. Her wall hangings display the improvisational flair of a jazz musician. Susan Herbert weaves power cords and electrical wires into elaborate and provocative wall hangings. Lisa G. Westheimer’s delicate ceramic platters are both contemplative and spiritual. With leaves, twigs and mud, Keely McCool constructs sculptures that evoke the balance between the chaos and simplicity of nature. Lori Field uses collage and mixed media in her exquisite and unsettling encaustic paintings.

The pieces in the show demonstrate the dual characteristics of fine arts and crafts — intellectual and creative expression on the one hand, human ingenuity and manual dexterity on the other. "Artistic communication is certainly the overriding element in the pieces in this show," stated Leibman. "The medium is simply the message."

In the exhibition, Studio Montclair artist Catherine LeCleire confronts the concept of both extinction and human consumption in her linocut, "Recycled Images," which appears on page D3. "Today, our environment is depleting the animal population and forcing the extinction of certain species. Our fish population has drastically diminished because our oceans and lakes have been over-fished and polluted. And our mass consumption and waste has turned our environment into a tremendous garbage heap," she stated. "In this project, I have used contemporary recognizable plastic bag images and combined weaving, quilting and fabrication to create a land and seascape printed mural. I also utilized some of these recognizable commonplace logos with the combination of silk screen, relief, and photo etching."

Over the past seven years, ceramic artist Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella has experimented with incorporating found objects and fused glass with the ceramic components in her artwork. "Piercings, too, are an important element in my moveable work and are designed to create beauty, both in themselves as well as through the shadows they cast," the artist stated. "The piercings in my work always speak of a spiritual dimension.

"For me, clay is not merely ‘the material that I use,’ but a genuine co-creator of the objects," she pointed out. "Working with clay is a relational experience that is extremely important to what I do and how I create. I stand as creature with creature in this making process."

Vonderschmidt-LaStella’s current work — "Wave Form" — which also appears on page D3 — allows her to continue that dialogue with the ceramic medium. "At this point, my creations are really about my relationship with clay," the artist stated. "Working with this unique material is highly associative to today’s growing awareness of the earth as a living entity. My work now is not so much about this or that, but the dance that work with this partner has become."

Established in 1997, Studio Montclair is a nonprofit organization of over 200 professional visual artists and patrons. Since its inception Studio Montclair has been dedicated to promoting education in the visual arts through exhibitions, lectures, art demonstrations, workshops and studio tours. Studio Montclair has also been instrumental in the career development of emerging artists through the many opportunities it affords for its membership.

A recipient of the Edgar A. Ferdon Community Service Award from the Montclair Chamber of Commerce, Studio Montclair was the first visual arts organization to be invited to exhibit in Montclair’s Sister-City, Graz, Austria, in connection with Graz’s designation as the 2003 European Cultural Capital. Studio Montclair is located in the historic Clark House, 108 Orange Road, which is also home to the Montclair Historical Society.

Along with monthly members’ solo shows at its Block Gallery and the Meet the Artist Series, Studio Montclair mounts an Open Juried Exhibition that garners national attention. The 2009 Annual will be held March 10 to April 11, 2009, at the prestigious George Segal Gallery on campus at Montclair State University. Patterson Sims, the outgoing director of the Montclair Art Museum is serving as juror for this exhibition, titled "Continium." The opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Meet the Artist Series, in collaboration with the Montclair Public Library, began six years ago. An annual Members’ Exhibition, the Summer Salon, is held in June, and the November exhibition normally focuses on a specific medium or concept, such as "Bridging the Space Between" and includes a panel discussion by the participating artists.