TAWA @ Ellarslie: The Early Years

Panel Discussion and Gallery Talk

Sunday, November 4, 2018

1:30 pm

Aubrey Kaufmann, Break of Dawn, Archival Inkjet Print, 2012

The Trenton Museum Society presents a special panel discussion and gallery walk celebrating the early, formative relationship between Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum, and TAWA (the Trenton Artists Workshop Association.) Many of the artists featured in the dynamic Pushing 40 exhibit on display now had the first professional solo show of their career at Ellarslie through their membership in TAWA. This special relationship not only helped build the careers of these artists, but it also helped to broaden Ellarslie’s mission as a museum to not only collect historical artifacts and the work of area artists, but also to actively engage with a contemporary art community.

The program starts at 1:30 pm, with a panel featuring photographer Aubrey Kaufman, and artists Mel Leipzig, and Mary Yess, moderated by Tricia Fagan. Leipzig was one of the early founders of TAWA in 1979, and was instrumental in sustaining the growth and visibility of the organization. Yess, Kaufman, and Fagan each served as President of TAWA and in other leadership positions with the group during the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s when TAWA was most active at Ellarslie. They will share stories and discuss some key moments in the history of the Trenton City Museum’s decades-long relationship with TAWA and its artists.

Immediately following the panel conversation, exhibiting artists (each a past or current TAWA members) will present a Gallery Talk about their work on display. Featured artists include: Jeff Epstein, Aubrey Kaufman, Elizabeth McCue, David Orban, Terry Rosiak, and Nancy Zamboni.