Art League of the Chathams

Rosemary Howlett, past President and longtime Exhibits Cochair of the Art League of the Chathams, died on Dec. 9, 2022.

For her family and friends and for the Art League of the Chathams, this a great loss and one that has occurred too soon.

Rosemary loved the Art League and devoted her time and energy to its membership and its activities. She served more than six years (2007-2009; 2013-2016) as its President and was very proud of the League’s accomplishments during that period. Of those accomplishments, Rosemary was especially proud that the League instituted the Arts Scholarship, an annual award given to a Chatham High School senior who is continuing to pursue art after graduation.

During her tenure as President, the League strengthened its financial position. The organization celebrated its 20th and 25th anniversaries during that time period, holding events that were both fun and financially successful. Solo shows in the Lundt-Glover Gallery expanded.

For the Howletts, participation in the Art League has been a family affair. Rosemary’s husband John served as treasurer for many years, and both continued helping to organize the exhibits at the ChathamTownship Municipal Building.

Rosemary was a watercolorist and her interest in that medium drew her to join the Art League. With a longtime interest in Asian art, she studied Chinese brush painting and “just loved it, loved it,” she said. She thoroughly enjoyed time spent in a workshop in Chinese brush painting in China.

Rosemary was one of three Art League members who painted murals in the foyer of the Municipal Building at the request of the mayor in 2010. Her mural is a winter scene of the Great Swamp.

Rosemary Howlett

Rosemary Howlett with her mural, which is in the foyer of the Chatham Township Municipal Building

Read her obituary here: Rosemary Ann Howlett, 75, Artist, Entrepreneur & Grandparent Extraordinaire.

The Art League of the Chathams will hold its Fall Show Reception  on Sunday, Oct. 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Chatham Township Municipal Building, 58 Meyersville Road, Chatham Township.

The exhibit will feature artwork by the general membership in the strolling gallery and showcase the work of husband-and-wife duo Susan Scarince Jones and Alan Jones in the Lundt-Glover Gallery. Their show, “Nature’s Impressions,” will include Susan’s impressionist paintings, her collages of metal, copper and tin; and Alan’s clocks constructed from wood, tile, and copper. 

The reception is free and open to the public. All reception attendees aged 12 and up must be vaccinated against Covid-19. Everyone must wear masks inside the building. 

“Southwest,” a collage by Susan Scarince Jones, is metal, mosaic tiles, and acrylic.

The artwork of both shows may also be viewed during regular business hours at the municipal building from Oct. 3 through Dec. 3. The building is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  

Three members of the ALC are participating in Windows into Art in Downtown Summit throughout the month of September.

Summit Downtown, Inc. (SDI) and Summit Public Art (SPA) compiled a list of artists and paired them with participating downtown businesses.

SDI, the Visual Arts Center of NJ and Summit P.A.L. jointly run an annual festival downtown called Arts + Cars. The event is Sunday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and streets will be closed to traffic so that all may safely enjoy having the streets and sidewalks to check out the art, restaurants, and cars. SDI organized the Windows into Art to tie into the downtown festival.

ALC members Yolanda Fundora, Pam Gosner, and Celeste Fondaco have artwork on display at downtown Summit businesses. 

Yolanda Fundora has six artworks on display on the windows at Ani Ramen, 427 Springfield Ave., Summit, shown here with some of its staff.

Yolanda has a selection from her latest work in progress, “Voices in My Head,” at Ani Ramen, 427 Springfield Ave.

“Cool Summer Pleasure,” a digital artwork by Yolanda Fundora.

Pam’s work, “A Passion for Glass,” which includes both jewelry and paintings, is just down the street at Lois Schneider Realty, 431 Springfield Ave.

“Paperweights,” a 10×20-in. acrylic on panel, by Pam Gosner

Celeste’s paintings are at The Red Balloon, 386 Springfield Ave., which is about a block away from both Pam’s and Yolanda’s venues.

“Tomatoes,” an oil by Celeste Fondaco

Two members of the ALC have their artwork on view at the Library of the Chathams for the month of September.

Larry Kerner and Kathy Havens have a combined show of mostly photography at the library at 214 Main St. in Chatham.

Both Larry and Kathy, who is known as a painter, are exhibiting their scenic photographs from their individual travels, plus many nature scenes—trees, gardens and flower close-ups. Kathy is also displaying some hot wax encaustics. Both artists have had solo art shows at the library in the past.

The Art League of the Chathams will hold a group exhibit at the Library of the Chathams during the month of June.

The opening reception will be held Sunday, June 9, from 2:15 to 4 p.m. in the Lundt Meeting Room at the library.

The artwork will remain on view at the library through Friday, June 28.

Members who wish to participate should send in the entry form included in the prospectus. The prospectus was recently emailed to the membership and can also be downloaded here: June Library Show Prospectus.

ALC members and friends made small bowls on a pottery wheel, as well as creating hand-built pottery, at the Madison Mud Clay Studio on April 25. 

The opening reception of ALC’s Winter Friends and Family Show Dec. 9 featured a holiday boutique, a show and sale of 6×6-in. artworks, and a celebration of the league’s 30th anniversary, as well as a solo show of watercolors by Betsy Mirabelli and a group show by members and guest exhibitors.

The solo show in the Lundt-Glover Gallery, and the group and mini shows in the strolling gallery, will remain on display in the Chatham Township Municipal Building through March 11.

As part of the art league’s Winter Friends & Family Show, 31 6×6-in. artworks by league members are on display. See a sampling of some of the works above. During the opening reception Sunday, Dec. 9, visitors may take their purchases of mini artworks home with them.

The mini show will remain on view, along with the general membership and solo shows, through mid March.