Hope Junction Antiques is planning an Artist Reception & Pop Up Sale featuring local artist Shelley Bartlett over two days this month.
The event will be held on Friday, Oct. 20, from 4-7 p.m., and on Saturday, October 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Light fare and mimosas will be served, and free pumpkins will be available, too.
Originally from Long Island, NY, Bartlett and her family reside and farm in the Hope area. This is where she draws inspiration for her work in the quiet bucolic surroundings and way of life.
"I've lived and painted in a lot of beautiful places and Warren County is one of the best. I love the verdant countryside, the charm of the villages, and the farm landscapes are right out of my childhood dreams," Bartlett said.
Bartlett studied Commercial Art at New York University, but has since devoted her life to fine art and painting primarily in oils.
From prize-winning outdoor shows in Florida to a one-woman show at Borghese Vineyard, to being accepted into the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan, Bartlett has garnered many accolades.
“Come see for yourself!” said Lisa Iulo, who with her husband, Charlie, runs Hope Junction Antiques, located at 331 High St. in Hope Township, NJ.
The Iulos ended up in the Village of Hope, an enclave of historic buildings, some dating to the 1700s, a decade ago on a Sunday drive. As they were walking around the lovely town admiring the architecture and sites, they noticed a vacant coffee shop, known by the locals as “Skip’s”, for sale.
Charlie, a recently retired cabinet maker of thirty years in New York City and Lisa, a photographer, looked at each other and not exactly sure what they would do with it, said “why not”? So they jumped in and bought the building.
For the past ten years, Charlie and Lisa have been happily selling antiques, primitives, signage, and collectibles.
Priding themselves as passionate recyclers, you'll often find reclaimed wood used as a component in Charlie's custom furniture and Lisa's quirky adorable folk art. The merchandise is an ever-changing array of items found during road trips as well as Lisa's knack for seeking out the unusual. This dynamic duo always has something up their sleeve, so why not take a drive to Historic Hope and find out what Hope Junction Antiques is all about. You never know what you might find!
Hope Junction Antiques: Artist Reception & Pop Up Sale
Meet local artist Shelley Bartlett and see her beautiful oil paintings. Light fare and mimosas will be served, and be sure to grab a free pumpkin on your way out!