In the Arts

"Summer Colors," an exhibit of artwork by exhibiting and associate members of the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury, will open June 26 and run through July 29. A reception will be held June 27, 3-5 p. m. Hours at the Guild, which is located at 620 Broad St., are noon-4:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday. For more information, call (732) 741-1441 or visit www.guildofcreativeart.com.

Grab your partner for a family barn dance to be held July 23, 7:30-10 p.m., at the Croydon Hall Senior Center, 900 Leonardville Road in the Leonardo section of Middletown. The event is sponsored by the Middletown Ramblers Square Dance Club. Donation is $3 and free for children under 18. Dance experience is not required as the caller will teach dancers all they need to know. Come and see why square dancing is a great way to stay in shape, have fun and meet lots of friendly people. For more information and directions, call Betty at (732) 291-1188 or Phyllis at (732) 450-1931 or visit www.middletownramblers.org. For information on square dance classes, which begin Sept. 28, call Larry at (732) 495-0358.

A five-film series exploring and celebrating gay and lesbian cinema in America and around the world has been launched by the Red Bank-based Freedom Film Society. The "Reel Queer Summer" film series will present a feature-length contemporary film in a variety of genres on Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. at Club Paradise, 101 Asbury Ave,, Asbury Park.

The series is co-sponsored by Moonstruck Restaurant in Asbury Park. Admission is $8 and tickets are available at the door.

The schedule of screenings is: July 15, "Mango Kiss," Sascha Rice, U.S.; July 29, "Adored: Diary of a Porn Star," Marco Filiberti, Italy; Aug. 12, "Eating Out," Allen Brocka, U.S.; and Aug. 26, "Goldfish Memory," Liz Gill, Ireland.

The Freedom Film Society also sponsors the annual Red Bank International Film Festival of independent films by local, national and international artists.

Openings remain in the Summer Theater programs for children offered by the Monmouth Conservatory of Music in Red Bank. Sessions for ages 7-9 or 10-13 begin the week of June 28; sessions for ages 14-17 begin July 15. Each session includes a student showcase. For information and registration, call the conservatory, 200 Broad St., at (732) 741-8880 or visit www.monmouthconservatory.org.

The Monmouth Museum will host "Sculpture - All Ways," an exhibi­tion by the Sculptors’ Association of New Jersey through July 18. Featured artists include Fred Mayr, Long Branch, and Doug McIlvain, Tinton Falls. The exhibit includes figurative works, both traditional and interpre­tive, along with abstract, conceptual and minimalist pieces. An artists’ fo­rum will be held July 11, 2-4 p.m. The museum is located on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lin­croft, parking lot 1. The exhibition is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, call (732) 747-2266.

The newly formed Atlantic High­lands Council of the Arts will sponsor "Taste of the Arts," an interactive event that will give participants the op­portunity to learn about different art forms. Planned for the last Sunday of each month, the family-friendly event will kick off June 27 at 4 p.m. at the senior center building in the Atlantic Highlands harbor where an Atlantic Highlands Quilt of felt squares will be created. The event is open to residents of Atlantic Highlands and surround­ing communities. Participants should bring scissors and glue. Future "Taste of the Arts" events will take place as follows: July 25, poetry reading by Virginia Bryan, author of "Pathways to My Heart and Soul," at the Strauss House; Aug. 29, dancing in the gazebo in Atlantic Highlands harbor with MTM Dance Factory.

A schedule of upcoming events will be posted at Atlantic Highlands Bor­ough Hall.

The Council of the Arts will also sponsor an art contest open to all artists working in any medium to create a unique rendering of the me­teor shower expected to occur in Au­gust. The council welcomes ideas and par­ticipation from Atlantic Highlands residents and meets the third Wednes­day of the month at Borough Hall.