‘Illumination’: Exhibit In Montclair Will Showcase Work From North Jersey Artist

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of a Patch Montclair community member. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Gallery491 is proud to present “Illumination,” a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Gail M. Boykewich, on view from September 4 through December 2025. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, October 9, inviting the public to experience Boykewich’s vibrant world of paintings and sculptures.

Illumination is a celebration of light in all its forms—sunlight, moonlight, and metaphorical enlightenment. At once playful and poignant, the exhibition offers a multifaceted exploration of nature, myth, and the human connection to the environment. Boykewich’s work often weaves together religious fables, magical realism, and rich symbolism to reflect on both personal and collective transformation.

With a distinctive style rooted in bright color, intricate pattern, and imaginative portraiture, Boykewich’s acrylic paintings and papier-mâché sculptures depict a blend of fictional characters and real, often endangered, animals. The result is a stylized, dreamlike realm that evokes themes of love, loss, absurdity, and ecological urgency. “I use my love for unusual plants, animals, bright color, and pattern to help create a stylized world viewers can escape into,” says Boykewich.

Boykewich holds a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she focused on painting, sculpture, and folk art traditions. Her work has been exhibited in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, Brooklyn, and Jersey City. Notable highlights include participation in Art Aqua Miami and her selection as a Liquitex “Just Imagine” Resident Artist. She is currently a Resident Advisor and Artist at the Project 14C Arts Residency in Jersey City.

Boykewich continues to evolve her practice while remaining rooted in her core belief that all living beings possess intrinsic worth. Her whimsical, melancholic, and often humorous creations call attention to the fragile beauty of our world and the vital need for its protection.

Vault491, located in the heart of Montclair’s award-winning downtown at 491 Bloomfield Avenue, is an innovative adaptive reuse of a historic 92-year-old bank building. Surrounded by over 90 restaurants, various shops, and several renowned art venues, Vault491 is in Montclair’s central business district.

Gallery491 is a contemporary art space in Montclair, NJ, dedicated to showcasing the work of emerging and established artists. Gallery491 is open Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 7 pm.

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