Bernardsville Gallery Opens New Location as Local Art Scene Thrives

WallFlowers Gallery has been around for a while in the downtown art scene in Bernardsville — since 1996.

But this weekend is the official grand re-opening of the gallery at a new larger location at 35 Mill Street. The gallery, one of about a handful in the Bernardsville downtown area that have become increasingly active in promoting their exhibits and seeking art lovers, previously had two locations at Olcott Square, said co-owners Christine Sutherland and Michelle Mendez.

Although the gallery officially opened in July at the location — a renovated building that was once Bernardsville's old firehouse — the unveiling, complete with reception coincides with this Friday's Art Walk and also the opening of a new exhibit.

Laurie J. Kalb's exhibit, to run through Oct. 31, will include paintings primarily of non-objective works that evoke a musical symphony of harmony and melody, contrasting layer upon layer of color with layers of line, according to the gallery's invitation.

The 6 to 9 p.m. Art Walk, held on the first Friday of many months through the year, has been ongoing, and was helped to get off the ground by Kathy Palmer, owner of Studio 7 Art Gallery in the downtown, said Mendez.

The Art Walk and many of the borough's art galleries are promoted on the Bernardsville Chamber of Commerce website.

The gallery, which advertises itself as a home for contemporary art and custom framing, also has a website.

WallFlowers Gallery also was one of the stops this past weekend which was seeking to promote and display the work of 20 artists, photographers and artisans in Basking Ridge and Bernardsville.

Video by Lois Heyman