Stephen Buzash Memorial Art Auction and Concert

Sunday, August 24, 2014

1 pm – 5 pm

The Trenton Museum Society is hosting a memorial art auction of the works of Hopewell artist Stephen Buzash (1963 – 2014) with a jazz piano performance throughout the afternoon by Tara Buzash.

Best known for his abstract paintings, although he painted portraits and landscapes as well, Stephen Buzash was a master of color; his works exude beauty, strength and intensity.  Steve began painting in 1998 and after a varied career that included nursing, printing, and landscaping, he received his BFA in Art in 2008 from the College of New Jersey.

In addition to creating his own works, Steve devoted a good portion of his time to his students at the Montgomery Center for the Arts in Skillman, New Jersey where he also volunteered.

Steve studied with internationally known Hungarian painter Sy Mohr.  Among his influences, Steve counted Duccio, Simone Marini, Fra Angelico, David, Van Gogh, DaVinci, Monet, Pollock and Warhol – a diverse group indeed. During the exhibit and auction, Tara Buzash will perform a jazz concert on the piano for the entertainment of the guests and patrons in attendance.  Tara is that rare pianist who is truly versatile, as comfortable in Sunday afternoon classical ensembles as she is in late- night jazz jam sessions. Her 20 years of performing experience have taken her to The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C. and the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.  She has performed at clubs in Manhattan and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel among other venues in the tri-state area. Tara completed a Masters Degree in Jazz Piano Performance at Rutgers University in 2013, where she studied under Stanley Cowell and Conrad Herwig and won the Pee Wee Russell Jazz Scholarship. Tara is a Watchfire Music Composer and the 2012 Grand Prize Winner of the New Jersey Arts Collective’s music composition contest. Her live music booking business, Sweet Harmony LLC, has seen growth rates of 40% per year since 2008 and expanded to serve five Northeastern states. In the community, Buzash pioneered a jazz concert series and a jazz piano scholarship competition for the Greater Princeton Steinway Society, where she serves on the board of directors.

The event is free and open to the public.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of artwork will be donated to the Trenton Museum Society for the support of exhibits and programs.