Art at Overlook

The “Art at Overlook” program highlights the work of local artists within the halls of Overlook Medical Center. Program exhibits rotate every three months, and artists from the local community are invited to participate. All the art displayed is available for sale, with twenty percent of proceeds benefiting the Overlook Medical Center community.

If you are interested purchasing art, stop by or call the Overlook Auxiliary Gift Shop & Bloom at (908) 522-2117. Art is displayed on the main floor.

Interested artists should contact Karen Canniffe at overlookauxiliarygallery@gmail.com for more information about the “Art at Overlook” program.

We currently have two exhibits:

Exhibit 1

Isabella Pizzano
ISAMARI STUDIO

Our first Art at Overlook exhibit, is “Visual Journey” by Isabella Pizzano of ISAMARI STUDIO features 42 abstract works of art and runs from July 30, 2023, to November 3, 2023.

Isabella is an Italian-born experimental artist who endlessly searches for innovative art techniques and unique ways to use color and design. She expresses herself with abstract compositions that transport the viewer into an imaginary world, opening the gate to a free and subjective interpretation. Her goal is to push the boundaries of reality.

A new classification of artwork began in the early 1990s and spurred an informal gathering of like-minded artists that became the Society of Experimental Artist (SEA). The group was committed to eliminating the constraints of traditional art exhibits by celebrating experimentation and exploration in art. This group of talented and gifted individuals expanded to the current International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA). Experimental art ignores the traditional rules, regulations, and restrictions on artistic media; in other words, anything goes! Isabella has the honor of being an elected artist with signature status in the ISEA.

A good abstract painting must overcome the brain’s natural desire to identify an object. It should ilicit a deeply emotional response and allow the viewer to glimpse inside the creative mind of the artist, while allowing a personal interpretation of the experience. The goal of the experimental artist is to explore unchartered territory and take risks. This type of painting affords the artist complete freedom of expression, allowing a pure and unlimited adventure trip for both artist and art lover.

Isabella feels this way of painting transports her on an exploratory voyage. Most often, she does not envision the finished product when she begins her journey to create a new work of art. Naturally, the work may change direction many times during its execution, with the end product reflecting an unexpected vision.

If you want to be transported into the exciting world of abstract art, visit Isabella’s website at www.isamari.com. Samples of Isabella’s art are pictured below.

“Baby Pink”
36 x 36
acrylic on canvas

“Erasmo”
36 x 36
acrylic on canvas

“Climbing”
37 x 22
watercolor on paper

“Fenced In”
20 x 20
acrylic on canvas

“Green Box”
60 x 36
mixed media on canvas

“Bridges”
46 x 24
acrylic on canvas

“The Visitor”
32 x 30
acrylic on paper

“Rain Forest”
31 x 31
acrylic on paper

“Opinion”
24 x 24
collage

“Instinct”
40 x 50
acrylic on paper

Exhibit 2

George Polazzi

Our Second exhibit features 14 watercolors by George Polazzi and runs from July 30, 2023, to November 3, 2023.

George received his BA and MA in Art Education at Jersey City State College (now NJCU). He was a teacher of art in Weehawken HS for grades 7-12 for 41 years. He is a student of Commercial Art Classes at the school of Visual Arts NYC and studied watercolor painting at Art Students League in Manhattan with Mario Cooper, Ridgewood Art Institute with Joel Popodics, and NJ Center for the Visual Arts in Summit NJ. He as also done workshops with Essex Watercolor Club and the Ringwood Manor Art Association.

“Being retired from teaching, I finally had time to travel and paint. Most of my landscape paintings reflect my travels. I get inspired by visiting new places and have always been moved by the beauty of nature. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, there was no travel for a while, so I used some of our older vacation photos as reference material for new paintings. I was also inspired by places and things closer to home (the NJ Botanical Gardens in Ringwood and my own yard).”

Samples of George’s art are pictured below.