'Lyrical Paint' abstract expressionists exhibit

"Stenness" by James Kent The Lyrical Abstract Expressionist group, composed of local artists, will exhibit their work at the Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, Feb. 3-27. "Lyrical Paint" will feature more than 50 large and small acrylic paintings, some of which incorporate collage elements.

The opening reception will be held at the library on Saturday, 2-4 p.m. The public is invited and the artists will be present.

The group held their first exhibit in August 2006 at the Art Alliance Gallery in Red Bank. The show was a success, resulting in increasing public awareness of abstract painting. The Middletown exhibition adds several new works and introduces additional members of this group.

The artists are Sheilagh Casey of Rumson, James Kent of Oceanport, Medy Quiroz and Wayne Lerman of Red Bank, Bill Todt of Little Silver, Tyrrell "Peggy" Masse of Monmouth Beach, Janet Esposito of Morganville, Mercedes Farrugia of Adelphia, Lorraine Madsen of Wall, Susan Walsh McLean of Spring Lake Heights, and Despina Statelova of Neptune. They meet, along with other painters, at the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury.

"Flowing Down" by Sheilagh Casey Viewers are invited to bring their imaginations to the exhibition, because abstract paintings, by avoiding direct or indirect representations of reality, encourage the mind's free play. The colors, shapes, forms and textures of the paintings create independent worlds with their own moods. Accidental effects such as paint drips are welcomed.

The challenge to the painters is to create such pictorial worlds without direct reference to the world of nature. This mission leads to infinite variability and this exhibit presents a sampling of the inherent possibilities of abstract expressionism.

The Abstract Expressionist form was originated in New York City after World War II, growing out of the European trend in abstract paintings that began in the early 20th century.

Library hours are: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. For information about exhibition hours, contact the Middletown Public Library at (732) 671-3700, ext. 320, or visit www.mtpl.org.

"The Experiment" by Medy Quiroz For information about the Lyrical Abstract Expressionism painting group or individual painters, contact Kent at (732) 229-7697 or

e-mail to jameskent@comcast.net.