Born and raised in New Jersey, Monique Sarfity decided from an early age to rebel against her math loving family and commit herself to a life in the arts. Determined to soak up as much art exposure as possible, she has dedicated the past 15+ years to artistic based training, teaching and travel. In 2009, Monique was awarded the Geraldine R. Dodge Artist Fellowship, which gave her the opportunity to study both ancient and modern mosaic techniques in Ravenna, Italy, the believed birthplace of mosaic art. The experience shifted the entire focus and direction of her work and since then she has been continuously experimenting with all things mosaic; from fine art to functional installations. She is the recent recipient of the NJ State Arts Council Craft Fellowship for 2023. Monique holds advanced degrees in both Fine Arts and Art Education and has been teaching art in the NJ public school system for the past decade. She currently lives in Randolph, NJ.
Elissa Swanger is a painter based in Morristown New Jersey. Swanger earned a BA from Swarthmore College and an MFA from Brooklyn College, City University of New York. Swanger has exhibited widely in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Exhibitors include Ground Floor Gallery, La Mama Gallery, Bowery Gallery, Artists Space, A.I.R. Gallery, Far and Wide and the Knockdown Center. Her work is also part of private collections across America.
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.
