Late Bloomfield Artist Will Return To The Spotlight At New Exhibit

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A late Bloomfield artist will step into the spotlight again at an exhibit that kicks off this week.

The Township of Bloomfield’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department is curating an art exhibit by the late artist Mark Richardson that will include sketches, collages and paintings. “50 Years of Work by Artist Mark Richardson” will be on display at the Bloomfield Civic Center, 84 Broad Street, from Oct. 15 to Nov. 11.

A free, special reception will be held on the day the gallery opens (Saturday, Oct. 15) from 3 to 6 p.m. with live music and refreshments.

Bloomfield town officials gave some background into Richardson’s life in a news release:

“Mark was a retired Vietnam Army Veteran, graduate of The Cooper Union College, and a lifelong lover of jazz. He had an extensive collection and used the energy from this music as the backdrop of the creation of his art. He began sketching and painting as a young boy and his work continued to evolve throughout his life. He was often inspired by something as simple as the way light bounced off the pattern of lines made from helicopter blades in motion. This helicopter fascination is evident in many of the works he created while serving in Vietnam. He received an honorable discharge and for the years after, he worked as a draftsman for Gimbels, drove a public bus for the Manhattan Department of Transportation, and in retirement opened a small coffee shop in Brooklyn.”

Richardson died in April 2017 from bone and prostate cancer. This year, the Township of Bloomfield is fulfilling his dream by “displaying his great works of art for all to appreciate,” officials said.

“Mark Richardson’s works have a profound effect on all that view it and I hope the community enjoys Mark’s art as much as I have,” Bloomfield Councilman Ted Gamble said.

“Thank you to the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department for putting together this wonderful exhibit,” Gamble added.

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