Founders: Clare Romano & John Ross

It was Leonard Hansen who brought us into the group of bright young couples who were discussing the formation of an Art Center that could offer children & adult classes & organize exhibitions. The idea of the center was the brain child of Dr. Jules. Hoffman who has been inspired by the classes at the Museum of Modern Art, directed by Victor D'Amico.
The year may been 1955 or 56. Our own sons were very young & the possibility of having progressive art classes available for them was very attractive to us. Tim, our son, who is artistic & a professor today, was in a chidren's class taught by Ashley Bryan. This pleased us because we had been classmates with Ashley at Cooper Union School of Art. Later both John & I taught at the Art Center & John was an interim Director for a few years. Although, today, Bergen County is hardly the cultural desert it was in 1950's, the Art Center of Northern NJ has continued to grow & offer its unique cultural contribution to the community.

Mission

The Art Center of Northern New Jersey is a Fine Arts School & Gallery providing children and adults a nurturing enviroment for developing skills & enjoying the creative arts. The Art Center aims to be accessible to all, including the disadvantaged & the disabled. It seeks to - Build a strong base of understanding & appreciation for the arts; provide professional-level instruction; sponsor programs for cultural advancement & personal growth; open its facilities to the community;serve all without regard to color, race, creed or socio-economic status.

History & Ongoing Growth

The Art Center Of Northern New Jersey was established in Englewood, NJ in 1957 by a group of Artists and interested lay people who wanted professional art training in the northern NJ area.

With help from the Museum of Modern Art, it quickly became an acclaimed school with classes taught by the recognized artists. Ten years later the Art Center moved to Tenafly, NJ and moved again in1984 to its current location in New Milford where it comtinues to offer classes in the fine arts from the kindergarten ages to senior citizens, amateurs and professionals. It's classes are accredited by the New Jersey department of education as continuing education credits for professional development for art teachers.

The main floor painting studio, gallery and photography darkroom classroom, office and restroom are all completly wheelchair accessible. The fully equipped stone and wood sculpture studio is unique in this area. The Art Center has completely equipped print making studio with flat table light unit for photographic plate exposure. Its diverse programs range from caligraphy and collage to professionally guided museum & gallery tours.

It's Marcella Geltman Galley mounts year round exhibitions including an annual Black History Exhibit, National Juried Show, Bergen County Diversity Show, Senior Artists Show and invitational shows for emerging and established artists.

The Art Center sponsors affiliate groups in painting, printmaking, sculpture and watercolor - a total of over 100 practicing artists - offering them facilities in which to work, discuss and exhibit.