Ewing photographer Keith Swango is among those putting his work up for sale at the Save Ellarslie Holiday Botique Dec. 2, 3 and 4. (Photo by Suzette J. Lucas.)

By Lynn Robbins

Artists from Ewing and elsewhere will be at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Trenton this December, selling their wares in the empty gallery where many of them once displayed their work, in hopes of raising money to help the museum stay open in the “Save Ellarslie Holiday Boutique.”

With its director and all of its employees having been laid off by the city over the last several months, the home of the Trenton City Museum has cancelled all events for the next year. Most of the objects in the museum of Trenton art, located in a restored historic mansion in Cadwalader Park, are owned by the volunteer Museum Society.

Now, more than 20 local artists are pitching in to sell their art in the museum’s empty gallery space, contributing 10 percent of their sales to the society to help Ellarslie, and hopefully one day restore it as a venue for local artists to display their work.

Visitors to the Dec. 2, 3 and 4 craft fair will enjoy the works of artists and craft makers from Ewing, Trenton and other towns in the Delaware Valley region. Among the artists are Arlene Milgram and Keith Swango from Ewing, and Robert Sakson from Trenton.

Milgram, who once showed her work at Ellarslie, described it as a thrilling experience. She said she is just as enthusiastic about the upcoming boutique.

“I’d do anything if it helps get Ellarslie back as a venue for art. It has offered great programs for kids, great concerts and lectures,” she said.

Milgram describes most of her work as abstract and personal. Her art includes mixed media, oil, print and assemblage. She frequently practices the encaustic technique of working with melted wax and pigment. Recently, she her paintings, “River of Memory” and “Scar Map” were shown in an exhibition at the West Windsor Art Center. She has also shown at the Perkins Center, Moorestown; the Silva Gallery, Pennington; and other New Jersey area galleries.

Milgram has been painting for several years, and when not creating art, she teaches the topic at Montgomery Lower Middle School in Skillman.

Robert Sakson agreed with Milgram that re-opening the museum was an important goal.

“People who attended [former director] Brian Hill’s openings came from all over,” Sakson said. “The Ellarslie Open was as good as any show in the country, and I’ve been to lots of shows.”

Sakson is known in Ewing for his paintings of the landmark Presbyterian Church, dated 1867, as well as scenes throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He works mostly in watercolor and also chalk pastels. Saxon’s awards and memberships are too numerous to list here but a few highlights include membership in Who’s Who in American Art, and the United States Coast Guard Art Program.

With a career that spans over 50 years, his artistic explorations began at a very young age, “As soon as I could stand up and move,” he said.

Some of his many paintings set in New Jersey include “The Garden Theater,” Princeton; “The Ocean City Boardwalk;” “The Luncheon,” New Hope; and the “Trenton Free Public Library.”

Sakson knows how to draw the viewer into his work through openings, sometimes through doorways and windows, sometimes through natural clearings.

Artist Marge Chavooshian also loves doorways. They take the viewer into the work, she explained during a demonstration of her painting techniques now featured on You Tube.

Visitors will have a chance to see for themselves just what the award-winning watercolorist was saying when the doors open at the boutique. Guests will be able to meet Chavooshian at a wine and cheese reception Friday evening and will be able to view and purchase her artwork Friday through Sunday. Chavooshian, who has painted in the Delaware Valley area for more than 50 years, will display twenty-one of her original paintings, plus prints and cards.

Keith Swango’s photography represents landscapes and events from around the country. Nearby locations include the Trenton Makes bridge at night; Prallsville Mills, Stockton; and a series titled “Shadows of the War Memorial,” Trenton. Swango, a long-time employee at the Department of Transportation in Ewing, started his photography business this past February, but has been has been practicing his craft for 40 years.

Speaking of the upcoming boutique, Swango said, “Ellarslie is in need right now, and I would like to do my part to help.” He recalls his childhood at Cadwalader Park, sledding on the slopes, buying balloons from the balloon man, riding the “whip” and feeding the deer.

“As a native Trentonian, this is where my roots are,” Swango. said.

In addition to paintings and photography, the boutique will feature a variety of crafts including pottery by Joyce Inderbitzin and others, jewelry, bags, cards and angel ornaments.

Carol Hill and The Trenton Museum Society have invested a great deal of energy and love in the project. Their mission: bring back the exhibits and programs that have made Ellarslie such a vital part of the City of Trenton and to keep the doors of the museum open.

About the artists
Arlene Milgram: The Gallery, Mercer County Community College: mccc.edu/community_gallery_schedule.shtml. Scroll down to “Dangerous Women Two” and to “Breathing Stones.”

Robert Sakson and Marge Chavooshian: Coryell Gallery, Lambertville: coryellgallery.com/artists.

Keith Swango: Keith Swango Photography: KeithSwangoPhotography.com

Save Ellarslie Holiday Boutique:
The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park: Dec. 2–4. Dec. 2, 6–8 p.m.: Wine and cheese reception $10 admission; members free.

Saturday and Sunday, noon–5 p.m.: Boutique open for shopping. Free admission.

On the Web: ellarslie.org. Phone: (609) 989-1191.

Molly’s, the shop at Ellarslie is open during museum hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; and Sunday, 1–4 p.m.