Art Galleries

June 30 – August 22, 2026
Closing Reception: August 22 from 3-5pm

Signature, Signature, and Board members. All are invited and welcome to attend the Artist Reception on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 3 to 5 pm. The exhibition runs from June 30-August 22 and is open to ticket holders prior to shows and during intermission, by appointment, and every Tuesday afternoon from 12 to 2.

Over 20 years ago, PSNJ began with the mission to promote educational activities, programs, demonstrations, and workshops for pastel artists throughout New Jersey and the tristate area. The goal is to present its members with opportunities to exhibit pastel paintings of professional quality and to promote public interest in this beautiful medium. Members are part of a community of like-minded artists, who share a love of painting in the vibrant pastel medium. To become a member or patron of PSNJ visit pastelsocietynj.org

The Art Upstairs Gallery is a gift of the John and Margaret Post Foundation.

June 30 – August 22, 2026
Closing Reception: August 22 from 3-5pm

Artist Statement
I’ve always loved color, but painting never quite worked for me. When I started using salvaged magazine scraps as my “paint,” I found a way to experiment freely and discover my own style—without centuries of tradition setting the bar.

My materials began with reclaimed magazines and expanded to include rescued books after years of working in a library. I hated seeing books pulled from the shelves for a torn page, a coffee stain, or a doodle in the margin. A book with those imperfections may no longer serve its original purpose, but that doesn’t mean it’s without value.

I’m drawn to things that have lost their original purpose. By tearing apart and juxtaposing bits of paper, I create something new from what’s been cast aside. The process is unpredictable and keeps me improvising; even if I tried to repeat a piece, it would never turn out the same. Just as serendipity led me to this medium, it continues to keep me endlessly inspired.

Bio
Laura Shabazz is a Bernardsville, NJ-based collage artist working exclusively with found paper materials. Recently, she has received Best in Show from the NJ Art Association and the People’s Choice Awards from Farmstead Arts and the Rockland Arts Festival. Self-taught in collage, she stumbled into her medium when seeking budget-friendly (i.e. free!) art supplies to satiate her creative drive. Serendipity stepped in with an overflowing recycling bin and the rest is history. Laura’s work transforms discarded printed media into painterly, representational collages that celebrate narrative, memory, and material reuse.

The Starlight Gallery is a gift of Wendy and Jay Birnbaum

The Art Upstairs Gallery is located in the balcony lobby of Mayo Performing Arts Center. Exhibits are varied and showcase visual artists from a variety of mediums including watercolor, oil, photography, sculpture and more. Each year, the works of over 200 artists are showcased in group exhibits. Recent groups that have been showcased include the Essex Watercolor Club, New Jersey Photography Forum, Art in the Atrium and the Pastel Society of New Jersey. The Art Upstairs Gallery is a gift of the John and Margaret Post Foundation.

The Starlight Gallery is adjacent to our Starlight Room, MPAC’s donor lounge.  Exhibits feature individual exhibits by accomplished local artists. The Starlight Gallery is a gift of Wendy and Jay Birnbaum.

The galleries provide a unique opportunity to marry the visual and performing arts, and provide exposure to artists with an audience that may not normally frequent an art gallery. All artwork is available for purchase.

The Galleries are open to ticket holders prior to shows, during intermission, by appointment and every Tuesday afternoon from 12:00 -2:00.  For more information, please contact Charles Miller at cmiller1@mayoarts.org or Lee Kaloidis at 973-539-0345 x6587.