featured events
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.
Leonieke Scheuble 3 Generations of Jazz, feat: Bill Crow
Presented by Metuchen Jazz, a program of FOMA
Thursday, April 30, 7 pm-8:30 pm
Metuchen Public Library
480 Middlesex Ave
Join us in person for an unforgettable night with Leonieke Scheuble and the 3 Generations of Jazz featuring the legendary Bill Crow! Dive into a rich blend of jazz styles that span decades, brought to life by incredible musicians. Perfect for jazz lovers and anyone looking for a great live music experience. Don’t miss out on this special performance!
Grant funding for this event has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.
Vocalist Alma Micic and Guitarist Rale Micic with Bassist Gili Lopes
Wednesday, May 6 at 7pm, 2 sets of music!
The Parlor at Hailey’s
15 Station Place
Metuchen
Join us for a “Pre-Mother’s Day” Celebration: Award-winning Vocalist Alma Micic and Guitarist Rale Micic with Bassist Gili Lopes – a beautiful evening of soulful song with a new Serbian perspective on jazz guitar backed by a Brazilian bassist.
Call for Art: Summer Vibes
If you’ve created or want to create art with a summery vibe, we want to see it! Think beaches, ice cream, fireworks, Lana Del Rey songs—whatever way you wish to mark the season.
Submissions will be due June 7, 2026
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
New Date: 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 organist Enoch Swift, Jr. and the highly respected and recognized Byron Landham on 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.
Master Plan Community Survey
The Borough needs you! Artists, art supporters, art lovers - all the people who value art in our borough - please fill out the Master Plan Community Survey and make your voices heard! The Borough is in the middle of its legally required Master Plan Reexamination, which guides decisions around land use, housing, transportation, parking, sustainability, recreation, and overall quality of life. With the new Arts District, it feels especially important that the creative voices in FOMA’s community are part of this conversation. Artists and arts supporters bring such a valuable perspective on how we design and use our shared spaces. So - if you want to help shape the direction of our Borough, please fill out the survey!
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