Ongoing

Pop Surrealism: From the James and Maureen Dorment Collection

DiMattio Gallery at Rechnitz Hall

Pop Surrealism (or Lowbrow Art) is a contemporary art movement blending surrealism’s dreamlike, unconscious themes with pop art’s imagery from popular culture, cartoons, comics, and kitsch, characterized by high technical skill, satirical commentary, and roots in underground scenes like hot-rod culture and punk rock, often featuring fantastical characters and exploring social themes with dark humor and whimsy with magazines like Juxtapoz popularizing the style. The exhibition features key artists from this movement including Mark Ryden, Camille Rose Garcia, Ana Bagayan, Swoon, Neckface, Barnaby Whitfield, John John Jessie, Tim Biskup, Liz McGrath, Mark Ryden, Aaron Johnson, Camille Rose Garcia, R. Crumb, and many more. Reception will be held on Friday, February 20th from 7 – 9 p.m.

Taylor Jenkins Reed, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Virtual

Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack, each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion! This week’s book is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reed. Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.