Meet Joseph Castronova, an acclaimed artist and educator, who has received Artist in Residence for 2023 at the prestigious First Presbyterian Church in Metuchen. He teaches at The Institute for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, NJ, and has previously served as Director of duCret School of Art in Plainfield, NJ. Joseph has showcased his impressive artworks in numerous galleries, such as Transformations Gallery, Rotunda Gallery, and more.
With an extensive list of solo shows including M Galleries Fellowship, Basking Ridge NJ; Rotunda Gallery, Metuchen NJ; M Galleries, M Galleries PNA, Washington NJ; Studio Montclair, Montclair NJ and Catherine Street Gallery, NY; Joseph's work is recognized and loved by many. He has created commissioned pieces for ArtCycle, Transformations Gallery, Metuchen NJ; RoboKiller, TelTech, S. Amboy NJ; Metuchen Downtown Alliance, Middlesex Greenway.
Joseph's work is part of esteemed collections, including the School of Visual Arts, Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, JP Morgan Chase, and many others. Stay connected with Joseph and his creative journey on Instagram @josephcastronova, and visit his website http://www.josephcastronova.com
Curators
Laurie Pettine, Guest Curator
Laurie Pettine is a mixed media artist. Ms. Pettine earned a BFA Illustration from Parsons School of Design/New School. Ms. Pettine has spent the past two decades showing her artwork at various galleries in New Jersey including Pro Arts Jersey City, Visual Arts Center of NJ Summit, Studio Montclair Leach Gallery, Trenton Artworks, BSB Gallery Trenton, Rotunda Gallery Metuchen, Art in the Atrium Morristown, Atlantic Highlands Council, Artfront Galleries Newark, Index Arts Newark, Raven Gallery Jersey City, Speakeasy Gallery Boonton, The Art Guild of NJ Rahway, West Windsor Arts Gallery and Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster. She exhibited at Art Fair 14C 2021 “Maidens & Martyrs” booth with fellow Pro Arts members Christy O’Connor and Leslie Sheryll. Pettine’s home, studio, family and three dogs are in Mendham Township, Morris County, NJ.
Her paintings are meant to empower women everywhere to embrace their inner and outer selves. More recently, her art has connected with her yoga practice, as she aims to capture the aura and energy of other inspiring yogis. She is currently working with End of Elm to display a rotating exhibit of local talent, as well as implementing the mural program. If you are an artist interested in collaborating, please do not hesitate to contact her.
