Founders: Jack Sussman & Connie Sussman

It was with all the arrogance of youth & a great deal of energy & enthusiasm that the Art Center was formed. I remember a lot of talk about " standards", we were to be another Museum of Modern Art but even better. We made the Art Center a way of life & formed lasting & wonderful friendships. I resumed by art education & Jack bacame a member of the board & the financial adviser. Wew were ambitious & the "standards" were high. There were lectures, poetry readings, concerts, work-shopsetc. We really had good exhibits of fine paintings, drawings & prints that came from studios & some of the galleries in New York. In those days everyone was cooperative as the great art boom had not yet occured. I remember going to Milton Avery's studio. His wife pulled paintings out according to size, "This size is $200 , ofcourse without the frame", & on she went while Milton watched silently in a rocking chair ...

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.