Gallery U, at 435 South Avenue West in Westfield, hosted a special exhibition, The Kids Are Alright, featuring the artwork of members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Members participated in a professionally taught art program through collaboration with Elaine’s Art Club. Their artwork was exhibited at Gallery U from January 29 – February 1, 2016. A public opening reception was held on Friday January 29, 2016 to honor and celebrate the artistic achievements of the students participating in the program. Our members had an opportunity to show their work to guests and discuss the creative process. The evening was a great success for all who participated in the program. “Thank you to Gallery U and Elaine’s Art Club for offering our members a professional art program and show experience,” said Russell Triolo, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. “We are looking forward to the next exhibition in the spring.” In collaboration with Elaine’s Art Club, 15 members were immersed in the classical approach to drawing over 10 weeks. Starting with charcoal and then pastels, the young artists learned basic drawing technique and sharpened their observation skills through use of live models and still lifes. The free program was offered to members and also provided easels, aprons and art supplies. Elaine’s Art Club Program will continue its Winter Session at our Union Club and has expanded their art program to our Plainfield Club beginning in January 2016. Stay tuned to see their artwork featured at Gallery U.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County offers youth programs in 5 communities in Union County: Plainfield, Elizabeth, Union, Hillside and Roselle. Teen leadership programs for ages 14-18 are available in Union, Elizabeth and Plainfield. Members participate in character, leadership, career preparation and community service activities throughout the year. Aquatics instruction is available at our Union Club. For information on our clubs and programs, please visit our website http://www.bgcuc.org/ or contact us 908-687-2697.
Elaine’s Art Club
The Elaine Raphael Arts Fund (ERAF), a division of Living for a Cause, fosters the talents of youth eager to find a guiding hand to help them express their creativity and provides art education programs such as camps, in-school workshops and student mentoring by professional artists. The ERAF is named in honor of noted children’s book writer and illustrator Elaine Raphael, whose last wish was to continue to help children discover their artistic nature. The ERAF provides much-needed funding to school art programs and has developed Elaine’s Art Club to reach young artists in a variety of community settings.
Gallery U
Gallery U, a combination of a fully functional art space and shopping boutique located at 439 South Avenue West, Westfield. Gallery U is an extension of Universal Institute, a rehabilitation facility that services adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The venue serves as a vocational training program whose goal is to introduce people with TBI back into the workforce and community. Clients at Universal Institute take part in all aspects of running Gallery U. Vocational, occupational and cognitive therapies are conducted in the back workrooms. Working at Gallery U provides an opportunity for adults with TBI to rejoin the work force, engage in the community, learn new skills, and experience the transformative power of art through exposure of existing art and creating their own artwork.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF UNION COUNTY
Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County seek to inspire and enable young people, who need them most, to realize their full potential and have provided opportunity for youth since 1955. They are part of a national network of some 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which serves more than 4.6 million young people annually, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach.
- (above) One of our Artists with, Russell Triolo, CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County; Gene Jannotti, GWACC Executive Director; Robert Langdon, Curator and Manager Gallery U.
