featured events
Summer Sundays with Friends
Friends of Metuchen Arts is happy to collaborate with Basecamp Studio and Gallery and Community Nursery School bring you four Sundays with musicians at our gallery!
Weather permitting, the musicians will be set up beside our building on the grass, and visitors are welcome to bring beach blankets. Enjoy the music and then wander into our studio to experience the current exhibitions. Registration on Eventbrite will be available soon.
This musician series is curated by Sarah Teti @sarahtetimusic
Community Nursery School: www.communityns.org
Basecamp Studio and Gallery: thebasecamp.art
Billy Seccombe Exhibition
June 7–July 20
Friends of Metuchen Arts
315 Main Street
Artist Talk: Wednesday, June 18 at 7pm
Oil paintings by Metuchen artist Billy Seccombe, presented in collaboration with Basecamp Gallery and Studio.
Artist’s Statement: I’ve created images that appear to be from another era or could be. The paintings should transport the viewer to another time. They are small moments and honest works pausing time. This collection offers an escape and provides for a quiet respite from life. These feelings translate to the canvas and it is these etherial, fleeting moments I am trying to capture.
Metuchen Vibes
Opening reception July 27
Open Wednesdays from 6-8pm and Sundays from 1-3pm
Check out our next exhibit, Metuchen Vibes, opening on July 27.
In this exhibit, our artists display works that reflect Metuchen images, impressions, and vibes. Come see that it is all about!
Peter and the Wolf
September 7, 3pm
Friends of Metuchen Arts and the Westerhoff School of Music & Art are proud to present PETER AND THE WOLF, a free performance for all local families.
This classic musical story is brought to stirring life by the Phoenix Woodwind Quintet as instruments “play” the voices of Peter and his animal friends. Through theatrical devices including mask and mime, students participate to help create the characters. Students learn about woodwind instruments and musical concepts while sharpening their listening skills.
Grant funding for this project has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.
Summer Improv Jam Sessions
Have fun and build community with adult improv!
After a successful debut class and workshop series, Yes And Metuchen is excited to host some summer jam sessions. Each session will take place at Lotus River Studio in Metuchen. Space is limited to 15 people. No experience necessary and all are welcome!
Coming Soon: OutFront Metuchen Improv Series
For Middle and High School Students
Coming this fall, stay tuned.
Plein Air Drawing Workshops
Sunday mornings at 8:30 am
June 8, June 22, July 13, July 27
Basecamp Studio and Gallery
315 Main Street
$25 per session (free parking!)
Join guest artist Ed Wetzel for outdoor drawing workshops focused on the art of plein air sketching on Sunday mornings this summer. Explore and sketch local landmarks-including historic buildings, street scenes, parks, and gardens. The first session will feature the iconic Forum Theater.
$25 per session—choose any or all sessions
Registration required via Eventbrite—pay at the door
Limited to 10 participants—no drop-ins, please
Bring your sketchbook and your preferred drawing tools (pencils, markers, watercolors). Chairs and easels will be provided. In the event of wet weather: drawing inside and the porch at 315 Main.
Learn more and register.
Porchfest 2025
September 20, 2025
Save the date! More info to follow!
Middlesex County Jazz Festival—Metuchen
Saturday, September 27
5:30 pm–9:45 pm
Metuchen High School
400 Grove Ave.
5:30–6:00 pm Welcome and Metuchen Dance Center plus Metuchen High School (MHS) Jazz Combo celebrate the 75th anniversary of Peanuts comic strip
6:00–6:45 pm MHS Jazz Ensemble (Big Band) under the direction of John Messenger and the MHS Orchestra with Christopher McEwan
7:00–8:00 pm AAPI Jazz Collective (7 musicians) led by trombonist Peter Lin
8:15–9:45 pm Sherrie Maricle and The DIVA Jazz Orchestra (15 musicians)
The event is free to the public.