Local artists to fête summer 2010 with Kaleidoscope Collection, Surf Art Show

By Molly Mulshine

Lauren Dalrymple, of Radcakes Clothing, worked on her surfboard art Tuesday night. Her artwork will be featured Sunday at the Kaleidoscope Collection art show. Ms. Dalrymple lives in Sea Girt.
Photo by JOSEPH J. DELCONZO, STAR NEWS GROUP

This idyllic summer at the Jersey Shore has inspired a group of local artists to hold the Kaleidoscope Collection art and music show this Sunday from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the Belmar Arts Council [BAC] building, as well as the Surf Art Show opening Sept. 12.

“The objective of [the Kaleidoscope Collection] is to really embrace the summer of 2010,” said Charlie Sweeny, of Spring Lake Heights, who is organizing the event.

The Kaleidoscope Collection is an all-ages affair, complete with catered food, live music by local indie band Brick and Mortar and a half-pipe for amateur skaters to use, as long as they bring a helmet and sign a waiver.

One dozen local artists will exhibit their work, which ranges from the photography and film art of Matt Catalano, Brielle, to the pastel and oil paintings of Tara Wight, Manasquan.

Erik Fawcett, a San Diego, Ca., native who summers in Spring Lake Heights, will exhibit his surf-inspired paintings and musical art.

Guests will also enjoy colored pencil, water color and mixed media projects by Ryan Wade of Sea Girt, while Pat Grady of Manasquan will display his pen-and-ink artwork.

“Summer is what motivated me to do it, and that’s why I’m pulling it all together,” Mr. Sweeny said of the exhibit.

Most of the artists are friends and colleagues of Mr. Sweeny, who grew up in Toms River, now lives in Spring Lake Heights and is finishing his seventh year as a Sea Girt lifeguard.

Admission is a suggested $5 donation, which will be used to cover the costs of the event and to hold more events like it in the future.

There will be an after party at 507 Main in Belmar, where those who are over the age of 21 and attended the Kaleidoscope Collection will enjoy drink specials.

The event is being sponsored by the Summertime Surf School and Radcakes clothing.

For more information about the event, go to www.facebook.com and search for Kaleidoscope Collection.

The Kaleidoscope Collection is being held in conjunction with the BAC’s Surf Art Show gala opening, which is a fundraiser for the women’s prize purse of the Belmar Pro surf contest.

The Surf Art Show, which lasts from 4 to 8 p.m., will feature a live performance by singer and songwriter Quincy Mumford, followed by a performance from local band the Surf Bobs.

The opening will also feature an auction for a Roberts surfboard, as well as the works of such renowned surf artists as Jay Alders, Ronnie Jackson and Joe Hodnicki.

Art intake for the Surf Art Show will take place Thursday, Aug. 26, and Friday, Aug. 27, from 3 to 8 p.m.

The entry fee for the Surf Art Show is $15 per piece for BAC members and $25 per piece for non-members. There is a maximum of two pieces per entrant, and entries can be in any medium, including art on surfboards.

The Surf Art Show will run from Sept. 8 through Oct. 1.

The BAC has also announced the schedules for the Belmar Urban Myths art show and the Bicycle-Inspired art show. See www.belmararts.org for details.

The funds raised at the Surf Art Show opening will benefit the women’s prize purse of the Belmar Pro through the Hannah Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young girls and women find and develop their passion through athletics and the arts.

The BAC building is located at 608 River Rd. in Belmar.

More Belmar news, plus full coverage of southern Monmouth and northern Ocean counties, can be found at starnewsgroup.com.

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