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Case Gallery makes way for photography exhibit - Arts and Entertainment - NorthJersey.com

Case Gallery makes way for photography exhibit

MAY 5, 2010

LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2010, 1:03 AM

BY ELIZABETH MARTIN
MANAGING EDITOR | NEIGHBOR NEWS (BOONTON EDITION)

When gallery owners Susan and Steve Onopa first opened the Case Gallery in Boonton last September to showcase the work of Susans
mother, Elizabeth Case, the couple knew that there would come a time when they would take down most of Cases work to feature that of
other artists. They just thought that they would be making way for other painters.
"We thought we would have artists that would come in with watercolors and oil paintings," explained Steve, "but the file became more
photographers than painters."
The file he is referring to is a collection of the contact information for various artists who have come into the gallery over the last eight
months and expressed an interest in exhibiting at the Case Gallery.
"We wanted to keep it [the gallery] exclusive to Elizabeth Case until January," said Susan. "As much as I love my mothers work, I know
people need a change."
Then, when February came, photographer Elliot Ruga took on one of the walls, but the rest of the gallery still showcased Cases work.
With the success of Rugas work, Susan and Steve decided it was time to open a new show featuring the work of many of the talented
photographers they had meet over the preceding months.
"There was a lot of energy with the photographers," said Steve, showing off the work of the seven artists featured in the exhibit.
"If we said, Okay, more paintings, I dont think people would have been as excited," added Susan to explain why they decided to make the
switch from paintings to photographs. "We just wanted a change-up. It [Photography] brings [in] a different crowd."
The exhibit opened on Saturday, April 24 and will be on display until at least May 23, when the photographers will have the option to extend
their run on an individual basis.
Featuring seven artists, whose work reflects a wide range of subject matters and specialties, Susan confessed that while the show has no
expressed theme, she still feels the work goes well together.
"Theyre all very talented and confident people," Susan said. "I think they all have an eye. They have that energy that brings them all
together.
"I really love the subject matter that everyone uses. Theyre filling out walls, but were showing their stuff to the world. Our small section of
it anyway."
The photographers represent a diverse cross-section of artists from across New Jersey and even a few from out of state.
Two of the photographers, Anthony Savini and Shvaun Pizar, are friends of Steves and the rest of the photographers all somehow found
their way to the gallery.
"It was really organic; it was weird," stated Susan of how she came to find the various photographers.
The photographers

New York native Anthony Savinis pieces on display are entitled, "Momentous Historical," and represent his Post 9/11 focus on conceptual
photography. The four pieces are close-ups of American coins. His work has been displayed at YOH gallery and the Asian Fushion Gallery.
Shvaun Pizar, a childhood friend of Steves, is an abstract nature and urban photographer who utilizes computers as well as the old-fashion
cut and paste technique to craft photo collages from multiple copies of a single photo image.
One of the photographers that Susan and Steve didnt know prior to this exhibit is Armando Arturo, who called Susan on the suggestion of
his wife who knew a mutual friend. Though Susan and Arturo were never able to resolve who exactly the mutual friend was, she loved his
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Case Gallery makes way for photography exhibit - Arts and Entertainment - NorthJersey.com

work. Arturo, a resident of Paterson, first started taking photographs at a young age, but he only recently rediscovered his love of
photography. He has since published a book of his photographs and his exhibit at Case Gallery marks his first time displaying his
photographs.
Of his own work, Arturo remarked, "Photography for me is capturing the beauty of what is around me, from a small flower to a majestic
landscape. Beauty is all around us, all you have to do is open your eyes to it."
Another photographer in the exhibit, David Nelson, is a local photographer from Boonton who came into the gallery only a month ago,
wanting to show his work there. A 10-year employee of the pharmacy industry, Nelson just picked up the camera two years ago. His favorite
form of photography is landscape photography, particularly of Boonton Valley. In sorting through his photographs, Susan was excited to see
that he had local work. "I thought local shots would be well-received," she remarked.
Photographer Melissa Stanislaw of Boonton Township is the neighbor of a friend of Susans. Stanislaw has been shooting landscapes,
architecture, wildlife and flora for over 20 years. Though she utilizes digital altering techniques on her photographs, Stanislaw tries to stay
true to her original subject.
Sara Churchman, the girlfriend of Susans nephew, is also in the exhibit. Churchman first connected with Susan when the gallery opened
back in September 2009, though Susan didnt see her work until much more recently. Churchmans photos are exactly the kind you imagine
would be hanging at a charming seaside bed and breakfast. Her photographs are all of sea glass, which she and her friends and family have
found on a wide variety of beaches, that she then arranges on the shore in Cape May, where she lives, before photographing it.
The final photographer in the exhibit, Elliott Ruga, found the gallery and has had his work on display there since February, choosing to
continue on into this new exhibit. Ruga lives in Green Village and has shown his work at the Riverbank Arts Gallery in Stockton as well as it
being on permanent display at the Lambertville Public Library.
"We had Elizabeths work here for so long," said Steve. "Were really hoping that this will be a successful show. This show might start a
whole new approach."
"I felt good about this change," said Susan, "and I think she [Elizabeth Case] would be happy to share the space as well."
Susan still sells her mothers work online and will continue to keep a small part of the gallery dedicated to her art, no matter what show
might come in, but is trying to keep the gallery fresh.
Towards that end, the Onopas are full of ideas from live music performances to future art exhibits, though for the moment they have
nothing planned.
"It depends on who comes to us again," said Susan. "The people will show up. Somehow the right people will show up."
The Case Gallery is located at 613 Main Street, Boonton. For more information on Elizabeth Case visit the gallery on the web at
www.elizabethcaseplace.com.
E-mail: martin@northjersey.com

2014 North Jersey Media Group

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