Freeze Frame

The Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council opened its 2006-2007 season on Saturday last with a show called “Freeze Frame.” The gallery, located on Moran Street in Newton, hosted a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring local artists in a variety of mediums, including oil, acrylic, sculpture, collage and photography. “We have a different theme every month. February will be Arts Desire, March Stormy Weather and so on, and this, of course, is open to interpretation,” said Mary Jo Methias, president of the Board of Trustees for the Arts Council. The council has been in existence for 35 years and has been housed in the building on Moran Street for the past two years. “We are currently in talks with SCCC with a view to moving over there. Under their umbrella we would be assured of some support,” said Methias. “But we would still hold on to at least some of the gallery space here at Moran Street.” All of the artwork in “Freeze Frame” is for sale and will remain on display for the month of January. “The shows are open to all; we charge the artists a $15 fee to enter, and if a piece of art sells, we take 25 percent,” said Methias. A considerable number of people showed up for the show on Saturday and many were surprised by the high standard of work on display. “My wife an I often go into Manhattan to see art shows, and it is so nice to be able to go to a show that is comparable to anything you would see there - and it’s right on our doorstep,” said Marty Kalina of Hamburg. Gallery hours are: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call 973-383-0027. Story and Photos by Eileen Stanbridge