The Dancers by Sid Martin

Guild History

 

In 2020, the Guild of Creative Art proudly celebrated sixty years of service as the oldest and largest art community in New Jersey. Its founder, Yvonne Aubert, was a tireless visionary who purchased a five-car garage at the Guild’s present location at 620 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, in 1960.

Surrounded by fields, the area had yet to grow into a bustling neighborhood of shops and malls. Aubert converted the garage to a studio and exhibition hall and encouraged some of the county’s most notable artists to become charter members. At the time, local painters and sculptors had few venues to exhibit their work and no opportunities for study so Aubert’s inspired idea soon became central to the artistic community of Monmouth County. Over the years, after numerous alterations and additions, the Guild of today is twice the size of the original building, and its membership has expanded to 500 artists. Located one mile south of Red Bank, the Guild is a member of the New Jersey State Council of the Arts and the Monmouth County Arts Council.

 
 

The Board of Directors

President

 David Levy

 

Vice President

 Barbara Russo

 

Treasurer

 

Sheila Menendez

 

Secretary

 

Liz Jacobelli

Board Members

Marino Cirillo

Donna Colasurdo

Mary Fitzsimmons

MaryAnn Goodwin

Liz Jacobelli

Robert Stetz

Barbara Withers

 

Staff

Mike Menendez
Webmaster
EyeSights Show Chair

Steve Ravner
Webmaster
Art News (formerly EBlasts)

Frank Remski
Technology

Vicky Culver
Coordinator of Gallery Exhibits

Bill Alcaro
Coordinator of Educational Services Bulletin Editor

Audrey Lombardi
Bookkeeper

Purpose

The Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing excellence in the visual arts through teaching, exhibits, workshops, and special events. Yvonne Aubert and the charter members wanted to foster creative camaraderie, to establish a meeting place where artists could connect. To this end, the gallery operates as a cooperative in which all members – General, Associate, and Exhibiting – volunteer assistance and become involved in the Guild’s administration. It is managed by a President and a Board of Directors who are elected at an open annual meeting. The Board recommends policy, makes changes to the by-laws, and steers the organization as it seeks to improve its outreach to the community.

Benefits of Membership

The Guild offers a wide range of classes, workshops, and special events to its members, ages adult through teens. The instructors are some of the most outstanding artists in the area, and in a new “Celebrity” series, nationally known artists are invited to teach workshops.

Twice a year the Guild holds a juried portfolio review for those general members who wish to apply for Associate or Exhibiting Artist status (see Membership link on our website). Members may participate in Guild shows and also rent the gallery space. Exhibits change monthly, with receptions open to the public. All artwork is for sale.

 

Finances

The Guild survives on generous donations from members, proceeds from workshops and classes, commissions from the sale of artwork, fundraising events, and dues. We are also funded, in part, by a grant from the Monmouth County Arts Council, through funding from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner of the National Endowment to the Arts. Throughout its history, the Guild has relied on volunteers to keep operating expenses at a minimum, which also, in turn, encourages members to feel that the organization is theirs – and it is.

Guild of Creative Art | 620 Broad Street | Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 | 732-741-1441 | info@guildofcreativeart.org
Website Design & Management by Mike Menendez & Steve Ravner | © 2017-2023 Guild of Creative Art