Curated by D. Ferrari
The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts opened its doors on June 23, 2004. A Grand Opening Celebration and Exhibition was held on July 9, 2004. This first exhibition featured the works of Karen Giusti, Gary Kuehn, D. Dominick Lombardi, Una Henry, Michael Joo, Rudy Serra, Doug and Mike Starn, and Mimi Wienberg.

Highlighting recent MFA graduates from Mason Gross School of the Arts (Rutgers), Montclair State University, New Jersey City University and William Patterson College, this exhibition featured the best "new blood" that New Jersey has to offer.

Curated by Linda Pelaez-Dorian

An exhibition of artist who are exploring the repetitive use of light in their art . The works of Youngmi Song, Jin Lee, Linda Pelaez, Alan Alejo, Amy Stacie Curtis, Charlie Chul-Hyun Ah , and Lars Strandh are featured.

Curated by D. Dominick Lombardi

In this exhibition art critics will be asked to select works by artists they have viewed in the past year whose work stands out as exemplifying the spirit of contemporary art today or is representative of a new trend in art. These "Critical Selections" will be artists who deserve greater attention for their art because of their contributions to the larger artistic dialog. Critics involved were Barbara MacAdam (ARTnews), Gae Savannah (Art Forum and Flash Art), Carol Kino (Art and Auction Magazine), Robin Rice (Philadelphia City Paper) Judith Stein (Critic, Phila.,PA ), Edward Gomez (The NY Times).

Curated by D. Dominick Lombardi

In this exhibition art critics will again be asked to select works by artists they have viewed in the past year whose work stands out as exemplifying the spirit of contemporary art today or is representative of a new trend in art. Critics asked to participate are: Dan Bischoff, Newark ( Star Ledger ); Anjali Gupta, San Antonio ( Artlies, Editor ); Kate Hackman, Kansas City ( Review, Editor); Claire Lieberman, Chicago Area ( Sculpture, Critic/Feature Writer); Valery Oisteanu, NYC ( Brooklyn Rail and NYARTS ); Steve Rockwell, Toronto ( d'ART , Editor/Publisher); Raul Zamudio, Mexico City ( Art Nexus, Contributing Editor, Flash Art, Correspondent, and Contemporary, Contributor).

Curated by Barbara MacAdam

(Executive Editor of Art & Auction Magazine) The aim of this exhibition is to show works by artists who make the act of installation an integral component of their art-making process. Artists asked to participate are Isidro Blasco, Annabel Daou, Rachael Faillace, Angus Fairhurst, Carlo Ferraris, Claude Simard, Rob Wynn and Holly Zausner

Two very different similar exhibitions!

This exhibition compares the creative processes utilized by visual artists in the production of their art with those used in their curatorial persuits, and features . . . Transmutations curated by Pam Marchin and Chris Randolph with works by Gary Stephan, Michael Rees, David Humphrey, Michael Zansky, James Covington, and Bradley Rubenstein -- and Plastic Fantastic curated by Christopher Chambers with works by Bernd Naber, Felipe Cortes Clopatofsky, Ben Beaudoin, John Monti, Jean Blackburn, Krzysztof Zarebski, Peter Soriano, Bruce Moore, Doreen McCarthy, Cassandra Lozano, Susanna Starr, and David Fried.

SICA is again proud to exhibit the works of the graduating art and photography students from this renowned art program.

Curated by Douglas Ferrari

Lambchop - Kookla, Fran and Ollie - the sock monkeys of the '50's - they all had an effect - sometimes subtle, but often profound, on generations of artists. This exhibition seeks to provide a sampling of these artist; those who utilize the stuffed object in their work. Participating Artists were Matt Barton, Suzanne Brady, Audrey Chibbaro, Orly Cogan, Bethany Jean Fancher, Tracey Featherstone, German Pitre, Rebeca Raney, Ethel Shipton, Shinique Smith, Joan Wheeler,and a selection of Sock Monkeys from the collection of Ron Warren.

The works submitted for consideration and possible inclusion in SICA's 2007 urban sculpture park will be on display in our gallery. See who was selected to be in!

Curated by Donna Gustafson

Guns are integral to the history of America and are part of our founding myths, from the landing of the armed Pilgrims, to the Revolutionary War, to the winning of the West. Even today, guns are in all of our lives, whether we own them or not. The artists in this exhibition are well aware of the power of the gun as an image and a symbol. Each use the image as a starting point for a critique of contemporary American culture. The artists were Susan Graham, Jeff Hand, Heather Hart, Rita Herzfeld, Jane Irish, Claire Lieberman, Julio Nazario, Mark Newport, Dot Paolo, Michael Peglau, Alan Powell, Joseph Sabatino, Vilja Virks-Lee, Rhonda Wall, & Lucy White.

Curated by Douglas Ferrari

The Arte Povera (Poor Art) movement of the 1950s were artists working with discarded materials out of economic necessity. Now it appears to have re-emerged or evolved into an art form produced by a culture that embraces its refuse. This show explores some of todays artists who are aware of our current condition of profuse refuse, as well as the inherent impact and beauty of these abandoned and discarded objects.The artists are Jean Blackburn, Sara Barsness, Tim Burke, Soyeon Cho, Willie Cole, Mark Davis, Laura Evans, Alessandra Exposito, Dana Filibert, Lucy Hodgson, Richard Klein, Bruce Moore, Portia Munson, Sono Osato, Guerra de la Paz, Samuel Rousseau, Claudia Schmacke, & Michael Kelly Williams.

Curated by: Douglas Ferrari

No not lobster and steak, but two other traditions of the Jersey Shore -- surfing and Harleys. This exhibition will explore art made from surfboards and the artistic endeavor of custom motorcycle components! Participating Artists were: Bruce Acosta, Ronnie Jackson, Brian Lawson, Ethel Shipton, Rob Stumley, Scott Szegeski, Dave Yayac and Michael Ulman.

Juried by Ben Goldman, Executive Director of "City without Walls"

Featuring the works of: Jeffrey Abt, Patricia Cudd, Kate Dowd, Ann Marie Fitzsimmons, Patrick B. Fream , Mira Gerald, Tae Won Kim, Estelle Knize, Mark Kolessar , Robert Lach , Evelyn Leavens, Christopher Matrone , Meghan McAleavy, Anne Q. McKeown, Robert O'Connor, Saraivy Orench Reinat, Franc Palaia, Andrew Pawlan, Laura Petrovich-Cheney , Robert W Pillsbury, Becky Hope Polenberg , Jessie Polenberg , Elizabeth Sowell-Zak, Eric Standley, Merrill Steiger , Lou Storey, Lars Strandh, Karen M Surowiec , Liz Toth , Seth Tyler, Vilja Virks-Lee, Andrew Werth, and Eva Wilson.

Curated by Benny DiBennadetto's Buddies: Rachael Faillace (aka- "Rach Face"), Victoria Hanks (aka - "da' Vickster"),and Charlee Swanson (call him Chuckie and he'll moyda you).

The BENNY's -- those dreaded visitors from Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and New York that invade the shore beaches each summer -- are back with a peace offering. In an attempt at reciprocity, they are bringing down artwork from some of the finest artists their area has to offer. This exhibition proves that some visits by BENNY's are actually incredible!

Curated by Trent Welcome

An exhibition showing the expanded boundaries of the architectural role as a fine art. Works by architects who are working in areas that exceed the traditional definition and preconceptions of "architecture" will be displayed.

This show is in conjunction with simultaneous exhibitions at Jersey City Museum, The Rahway Artist Guild, and the Hunterdon Museum. It involves artists whose work investigates the changes that occur on the social, political, economic, ecological and geographic levels.

This festival is a collaborative effort among SICA, The Two River Film Festival, and Monmouth University. SICA will have a juried exhibition of works investigating our ever-changing relationship with the Sea.

Curated by Douglas Ferrari

Artists who emphasize cloth or clothing as a major component in their work will be featured in this show. This "cloth" component may be physical, conceptual, or metaphoric.Artists participating are: Doreen Brown, Nick Cave, Guerra de la Paz, Carmen Hay Kolodzey, Michelle Loughlin, Michael Mahalchick, Derick Melander, Suzanne Rader, Sarah Wayland-Smith & Jennifer Watson.

Curated by Douglas Ferrari

Depicting children in art is beautiful and timeless. However, contemporary artists seem to take a somewhat different view of youth. Yes some views are different, some are twisted, some are weird, but all are views of "Those Strange Children".

This year's juror will be Rocio Aranda-Alvarado, curator of Jersey City Museum.

Curated by Douglas Ferrari

Bio-art has surfaced as a driving movement in art over the past decade. Many artists are also exploring microscopic images, neurological matrixes, diseases, germs, etc. These artists are taking the hidden, dark unknown world of the microscopic, and de-mystifying it - making this ominous realm approachable through their art.

FEB. 6 -
MARCH 13, 2009

MARCH  16  -
MARCH 21, 2009

MARCH 27 –
MAY 1, 2009

MAY 8 -
OCT. 14, 2009

MAY 8 –
MAY 22, 2009

MAY 29  -  
JULY 2, 2009

JULY 10-
AUGUST 6

SEPT. 2 -
OCT. 9

OCT. 16 -
NOV. 13

NOV. 27 -
JAN. 22, 2010

NOV. 27 -
JAN. 22, 2010

Curated by Douglas Ferrari.

The objectification of the female form had been taboo in the visual arts and declared anti-female.  Today, however, many artists -both male and female, are exploring the naked and nude female form and are being embraced by the art world. This show will illustrate this and explore why this change has occurred.  Those artists whose work is being  sought for inclusion are David Atkinsi Chuck Close, Orly Cogan, Wei Dong, Grace Graupe-Pillard, Mel Ramos, Alicia Ross, lberto. Vargas, Jennifer Watson, and Cindy Workman.

JAN 29 –
FEB 12, 2010

Local transplaced workers from the area will be displaying their work which explores the immigrant experience.

FEB 19 -
APR 16, 2010

In today's world of sound bites and hyperactive over-stimulation it is not surprising that things often appears as one big blur. Decades ago, Gerhard Richter blurred his images because he recognized the uncertainty and inconsistency inherent in his fast-paced society. Many artworks today are also indistinct and vague - perhaps also referencing the uncertainty of our “New York Minute” existence -- or perhaps it is the blur that is the true depiction, indicating that, if anything, clarity today is only an illusion. If we take our time and really look at these works we might understand why these blurred images are perhaps the clearest depictions possible in our culture today. The artists participating are Bill Armstrong, Joe Begonia, Julian Jackson, Andi Monick, James Osher, Tracy Rocca, Alexandra Pacula, James Woodruff, and Marc Yancus.

APR 19 –
APRIL 30, 2010

Shore Regional High School's "International Baccalaureate Program" students will be showing the work they have created over the past two years.  This unique program focuses on the "whole" student and creates a well-rounded curriculum for them that emphasizes the arts in addition to the usual AP courses.

MAY 8 -
OCT 14, 2010

SICA's fourth annual urban sculpture park and tour. The sculptures selected from a nation-wide competition will be placed at outdoor locations throughout Long Branch and Asbury Park. The “kick-off event will be on May 8th and coincide with the reception of HIGH RELIEF SICA’s annual NJ High School Sculpture Competition.

MAY 8 -
MAY 21, 2010

This show is in conjunction with SICA's SCULPTOURE and SCULPT. SICA will be exhibiting the finalist sculptors in each grade from New Jersey high schools. The winners will be announced at the reception, on May 8 (10:00am – 12:00noon).

MAY 28 - 
JUL 2, 2010

This exhibition will again feature the best "new blood" that New Jersey has to offer. Master of Fine Art graduates from Mason Gross School of the Arts (Rutgers), William Patterson University, Montclair State University, and NJ City University will be asked to participate.

JULY 9 –
AUG 20, 2010

Curated by D. Dominick Lombardi.

When an artist enters their studio they are entering a sanctuary of sorts, where thoughts and experiences can be turned into anything from extended realities, to alternate planes, to pure fantasy.  But it’s all grounded somehow, as most share the common experience of day dreaming.

SEPT 4 –
NOV. 12, 2010

This year’s juror is Mary Birmingham, Director of Hunterdon Museum.

DEC 3 2010 –
FEB 4, 2011

Many artists today appear to be adopting a reductivist simplicity in their approach to artmaking. Some reduce the artistic element to a basic line by “drawing” both within planes (2D) and in Space (3D) to produce works that are often far from simple or minimal.  While others are reducing the material – to string, wire or thread.  The resultant piece might be quite complex, but the material could not get more basic. In this overly hi-tech culture with an emphasis on the digital as a medias is this minimal, often temporary approach a retaliation?  Is it just another element of the apparent Arte Povera resurgence? Perhaps it is a new resurfacing of the ever combative dichotomies -- hi/low, domestic/industrial, craft/art? Or something else?

DEC 3 –
FEB 4
2010-2011

Many artists today appear to be adopting a reductivist simplicity in their approach to artmaking. Some reduce the artistic element to a basic line by “drawing” both within planes (2D) and in Space (3D) to produce works that are often far from simple or minimal.  While others are reducing the material – to string, wire or thread.  The resultant piece might be quite complex, but the material could not get more basic. In this hi-tech culture with continual advancements in artist’s medias is this minimal and often temporary approach a retaliation?  Another element of the apparent Arte Povera resurgence? Is it a new regurgitation of the hi/low, domestic/industrial, craft/art dichotomy? Or something else?

FEB 11 –
APRIL 15 2011

A juried show where the only parameters are that it can be no larger than 196 square inches,if 2-dimensional, or 2,744 cubic inches if 3-dimensional. As an examble: 14” x 14” (2D) or 14”x14”x14”(3D) Jurors will be Elizabeth & Bob McKay (McKay’s Imaging) for photography.  All other medias will be juried by Lawrence Cappiello and Rachael Faillace (Director & Assistant Director respectively) from the Art Guild of New Jersey.

MAY 7 -
MAY 27, 2011

This show is in conjunction with SICA's SCULPTOURE and SCULPT. SICA will be exhibiting the finalist sculptors in each grade from New Jersey high schools. The winners will be announced at the reception, on May 8.

MAY 7 -
SEPT 11, 2011

SICA's fifth annual urban sculpture park and tour. The sculptures selected from a nation-wide competition will be placed at outdoor locations throughout Long Branch and Asbury Park. This event will kick-off on May 8th and coincide with the HIGH RELIEF High School Sculpture Competition (see below).

JUNE 10 -
AUG. 21, 2011

This exhibition will again feature the best "new blood" that New Jersey has to offer. Master of Fine Art graduates from Mason Gross School of the Arts (Rutgers), William Patterson University, Montclair State University, and NJ City University will be asked to participate.

SEPT 9 -
NOV 11, 2011

The exhibition will be juried by Ken Tyburski, Curatorial Director at NEXT Art Fair in Chicago;
Partner at DCKT Contemporary in New York, NY.

DEC. 2, 2011–
JAN. 13 2012

Art History is full of composite creatures - the Chimera, the Sphinx, the Griffins, Pan, the Minotaur, the Mermaid, Pegases, Medussa, the Satyr, the Centaur, -- the list goes on and on.  The idea of these creatures from mythology and fantasy has rapidly become more plausible with advancements in genetic engineering. This show investigates how artists today interpret and address the idea of creatures that are the sum of some quite different parts.