Ridgewood artist and family members share exhibit
MAY 9, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER
“Art in the Family” features four generations of the Toan family with a unique exhibit at the Cottage Place Gallery.
Marion Toan Jones and her husband Bob have been well-known Ridgewood residents for the past 30 years. Marion worked as a clinical social worker and Bob has a PhD in social policy and administration. He has been president of the Children’s Aid and Family Services in Ridgewood for 29 years. Both have spent two years each as president of the Unitarian Society in Ridgewood.
This eclectic show was Marion’s idea. It displays artwork from her mother and aunt as well as that done by Marion and her two cousins, Debbie Patton and Meryl Toan. On exhibit are mixed media, photography, acrylic paintings, oil and batik artworks. Younger family members in the exhibit include Marion’s children Kim Tyner and Nick and her two grandson’s Ben and Finn, 7 and 4 years old. Debbie Patton’s son Ben and Meryl Toan’s daughter Emmy Toan are also part of the show.
“It’s a miracle – they didn’t expect Marion to live more than a year,” said Bob Jones about his wife’s participation in the art show. She was diagnosed with brain cancer in January 2008. As a result of the surgery, memory and speech were affected, but not artistic expression. Since the surgery, Marion has won a number of best in shows. She also had a successful solo show at the Cottage Place Gallery in 2012.
“Art is an emotional expression because she often doesn’t have the words,” Bob noted.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/art/art-in-the-family-showcases-local-artists-1.1012919
