ANNUAL MEMBER EXHIBITS
The 2025 Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Seen and Unseen
Monmouth Arts invites the creative community of Monmouth County to submit works that explore the theme of Seen & Unseen as part of our annual member exhibition, to be held at Monmouth University’s Pollak Gallery in West Long Branch. Seen & Unseen is a call for artists to look more closely—not only at our surroundings but also at the inner landscapes we carry. It’s an invitation to recognize the presence and power of what is often left in the shadows.
This multidisciplinary exhibition will showcase the artists of Monmouth Arts whose works illuminate the forgotten, the hidden, and the quietly profound. From abandoned buildings and neglected corners of the landscape to the emotional terrain of personal memory and spiritual experience, we look forward to an exhibit that reveals the richness that often goes unnoticed.
​
On View: November 1 - December 11, 2025
Opening Reception: November 7, 6-8pm
Deadline to Submit: September 30, 2025
Seen & Unseen will be guest curated by Vaune Peck, Director of Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts. Pollak Gallery is located in West Long Branch in the heart of Monmouth University’s beautiful campus, adjacent to Pollak Theatre. The gallery features regional artists and collaborates with community organizations on special exhibitions. It has also hosted special exhibits from private collectors and exhibitions curated by the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.
​​
Those artists interested in submitting to Seen & Unseen must be current members of Monmouth Arts and agree to the exhibition guidelines. Artists who would like to become new members and submit may use the code SEEN to receive $10 off the $40 artist membership rate.
​
Please contact Connie Isbell, Director of Membership & Community Engagement with any questions at connie@monmoutharts.org or 732.212.1890 ext 101.​
​About Charles Sills
Now in its Eighth year, the Monmouth Arts annual member exhibit was renamed in 2022 in memory of Dr. Charles Sills, who was a painter, sculptor, collector, and supporter of the arts. He retired from his role as the Chief of Surgery at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch in 2000. His work has been shown at many galleries in Monmouth County and he won awards from New York's Allied Artists of America as well as Knickerbocker Artists.
PAST EXHIBITS
The Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Terra Incognito (An Unknown Land)
​
The 2024 Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit, Terra Incognita (An Unknown Land), invited participating artists to reflect on the unknown within their creative practice—whether a recurring subject, an elusive theme, or an aspect of their process that remains unresolved yet compelling. The exhibit was curated by George Bates, a nationally and internationally recognized artist known for his work in public art, fine art, and private commissions. Formerly based in New York and now living in the Asbury Park area, Bates brought a thoughtful perspective to the show’s theme. Presented by Monmouth Arts, the exhibition was hosted at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, a celebrated venue on the Navesink River known for its vibrant support of the arts and its innovative artist-in-residence program.
​
The Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Reinvention
​
This exhibition examined the theme of Reinvention and its relation to art, creativity, community, and our professional and personal journeys. The act of reinvention may bring a sense of renewal, a focus on sustainability, or be a simple act of giving new life to an object or idea. All of the exhibited art is the work of 44 Monmouth Arts members, who represent the creative, vibrant spirit of Monmouth County.
​
Monmouth Arts was pleased to host the curated group exhibit in the Long Branch Arts and Cultural Center, a historic bank building that experienced its own reinvention when it was transformed into a gallery and community space in 2021. The exhibition was guest co-curated by Tara Collins, an area artist with deep connections to the arts community.
​
The Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Belonging
​
This exhibition was an exploration of how our community imagines and celebrates a collective vision of Belonging. Through art we can tell new stories and further important conversations that enrich our sense of community. These connections can help us transcend crises, empower and connect us. All of the art is the work of Monmouth Arts members, who represent the creative, vibrant spirit of Monmouth County.
Monmouth Arts was pleased to be showcase the exhibit in the Center for Visual Arts Gallery at Brookdale Community College. The exhibition was curated by Elisa Elorza, CVA Gallery Coordinator.
​
Journey
In recognition of our 50th Anniversary, Monmouth Arts is reflecting on the journey we’ve been on over the past half-century as well as where we’re headed. Journey is a group exhibition to be held at Monmouth University’s Pollak Gallery. This exhibition will showcase works that express Journey as it relates to the artist’s experiences. Where have you been and where are you going? Contributing artists are all current members of Monmouth Arts.
​
Monmouth University's Pollak Gallery
400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch
December 2, 2021 - January 27, 2022
​
Sanctuary
Sanctuary is a virtual group exhibit of Monmouth Arts members with a physical pop-up exhibit to be held in December at 10PRL, an arts and events space in Long Branch. For some, “sanctuary” may not be a physical structure or shelter but a community or a representation of what makes an individual feel safe or protected from the outside world. This exhibition expresses the experience of sanctuary as it relates to the artist's world, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
10 PRL
515 Bath Ave, Long Branch
December 7, 2020 - January 2021
​
Out of the Blue
An eclectic collection of local artwork
​
Out of the Blue is a showcase of artwork by 40 members of Monmouth Arts, including everything from drawings to paintings to sculpture, from the fantastical to the emotional to the photographic. Held in the Bungalounge, the bar and gallery of the Bungalow Hotel in Pier Village, this show is a visual celebration of our creative community. The opening reception was a big hit. Read more on our Artzine.
​
The Bungalounge @ Bungalow Hotel, Pier Village
50 Laird Street, Long Branch
November 7, 2019 - January 24, 2020
Structure
Interpretations of human-made structure through the perspective of painting, drawing, photography, and more.
This group show of Monmouth Arts members, put together by Guest Curator Bart Lentini Photography, will be installed at the Upper Gallery of the historic Spring Lake Community House & Theatre, located at 300 Madison Avenue, Spring Lake.
The Upper Gallery @ Spring Lake Community House & Theater
300 Madison Avenue, Spring Lake
December 1, 2018 - March 22, 2019