featured events
Symposium: Central NJ Artist Forum
Presented by FOMA
June 14, 1–4:30 pm
American Legion Hall Post 65
17 Calvin Place, Metuchen, NJ
Friends of Metuchen Arts - Central NJ Artist Forum
A Journey of Breakthroughs: Navigating the Evolution of an Art Practice
Join the Friends of Metuchen Arts for an afternoon dedicated to the business, heart, and hustle of growing an artistic practice. We’ll dive into the realities of evolving a sustainable creative life while keeping inspiration front and center.
Central NJ Artist Forum fosters a supportive “artists helping artists” community for all of us – emerging creators to seasoned professionals.
Event Highlights:
Keynote Presentation, Judy Yin-Chi Lee: The Counterpoint of Passion and Purpose
In the arts world, passion is the spark that starts a career, but purpose is the fuel that sustains it. What does it look like to move from a seat in the orchestra to a seat at the leadership table? Judy Yin-Chi Lee has navigated the highest levels of the New York arts scene, performing at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center while simultaneously managing multimillion-dollar projects and global mentorship programs. In this session, Judy discusses the strategic shift from passion (doing what you love) to purpose (creating what is needed). She reveals how artists can leverage their disciplined training to lead organizations, influence policy, and build equitable pipelines—all while navigating the beautiful complexities of raising two sons.
A native of Taiwan, Judy Yin-Chi Lee is a dynamic musician and administrator serving as the Chief Program Officer at Maestra Music. A trailblazer in the industry, Judy holds the distinction of being the first female Asian brass player to hold a Broadway show chair, with a portfolio that includes over 25 Broadway credits and collaborations with legends like Hugh Jackman, Harry Connick Jr, Lang Lang, Kelli O'Hara, Jason Robert Brown, and many more. Her dual career as an elite performer, appearing regularly at major venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and a seasoned administrator allows her to lead Maestra’s programs with a unique, artist-centered perspective. A dedicated advocate for community and equity, she has led large-scale engagement initiatives for the New Jersey Symphony and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Friends of Metuchen Arts.
Expert Panel Discussion: Led by Claire McClanahan, a panel of distinguished local artists, Linda Vonderschmidt LaStella, Joseph Castronova, Vika Chala, and Dontae Muse, will pull back the curtain on the nitty-gritty of the art world.
Claire McClanahan is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer whose work has been honored at the Telly, Gracie Allen and New England Emmy Awards, and screened at the LA Shorts and Arizona Film Festivals. Bonus: we heard there is a story about dancing in a bear suit. We leave it to you to ask her about it.
Our panelists will tackle the practical questions every artist faces:
- Valuing Your Work: How to factor time, skill, and market trends into your pricing.
- Authentic Self-Promotion: Navigating social media while preserving your artistic integrity.
- Professional Presence: Best practices for gallery relationships, auditions, and presentations.
- Financial Stability: Managing a "portfolio career" through sales, teaching, grants, and part-time work.
- Insider Insights: Non-obvious business advice gained from years of lived experience.
- Networking & Community: Connect with fellow Central NJ creatives over light fare and refreshments.
Schedule of Events:
1:00 PM Welcome & Opening Remarks
1:10 PM Networking & Refreshments
1:40 PM Keynote: Judy Lee - A Journey of Breakthroughs
2:10 PM Break
2:25 PM Panel Discussion: Navigating the Evolution of an Art Practice
3:25 PM Socializing, Networking & Light Fare
4:25 PM Closing Remarks
Come for Insight, Stay for Community - Let's build a sustainable Arts Future together!
Save the date: The next Forum will be on October 25! Each event will feature guest speakers, panel discussions, socializing, networking, and refreshments.
Sponsored by Basecamp Studio and Gallery
Modern Musings: An Exhibition by Enrique Zaldivar
Opening Reception: April 12, 1–3pm
Garden State Art Weekend Participant - Enrique Zaldivar Music Performance: April 19, 1–3pm
Artist Demo/Workshop: May 3, 1pm
Artist Music Performance: May 31, 1pm
Zaldivar is a Cuban painter who graduated from the Professional Academy of Fine Arts “El Alba” in Holguín, Cuba. His works are a mix of magical realism, surrealism, and illustration—works with a deep poetic sense, which address issues such as the meaning of life, freedom, religion, death, loneliness, power, and exile. Modern Musings will include abstraction impressionist pieces, largely acrylics and drawings, featuring landscapes and portraits of modern muses.
June 20 at 2pm
Guitarist Marel Hidalgo Organ Trio—Free Concert
Join us June 20 for this special Metuchen Jazz concert presenting the exceptionally young talented guitarist Marel Hidalgo and his group. Marel performs with Ana Petrova, Organ and the ever captivating Winard Harper, drums. Marel began playing at age 4 and by age 6 had his own band performing a variety of music. When he heard the music of legendary jazz guitarist Joe Pass, he decided to focus on becoming a jazz guitarist.
Sunday, June 28 at 11am
Ginko Haiku Poetry Walk Series by Spencer Soletto
Join art facilitator and seasoned haiku poet Spencer Soletto June 28th 11am for a poetry walk along the unpaved path of the Middlesex Greenway Metuchen NJ . Starting at our hosted location Basecamp Studio & Gallery, we will explore haiku, a Japanese short form of poetry, and learn how it fosters an appreciation for our local natural and urban environments. This event is accessible to those without any experience of writing, and still explorative enough for established writers, walkers, and environmentalists. Participants will be guided with a short lesson, a walk for poetic inspiration, and a community writing session.
Grant funding has been provided by Friends of Metuchen Arts, a 501(c)(3)
This free event is open to the public.
Save the date for future poetry walks:
Fall: September 27, 2026
Winter: January 3, 2027
Spring: April 4, 2027
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