What Is The Best Gallery In New Jersey?

Thom Bierdz
4 min readApr 26, 2019

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For the past 11 years, American Art Awards has decided the 25 Best Galleries and Museums in America. Among the criteria: years in business, industry reputation, online activity, location, size, exhibits, educational programs, represented artists and references from artists, clients and visitors. Only one per state per year is selected.

American Art Awards: “In 1958, this Dunn family effort was originally created as a casual, local venue for the exhibition, framing and preservation of art — but over the years Evalyn Dunn Gallery has exceeded everyone’s expectations to become a significant world-renowned gallery. When Evalyn Dunn first opened her art gallery in the 1950’s, people marveled at her ability to hold a full time job, run an art gallery and raise a family. Fortunately, her supportive husband, Benjamin, worked with her and consequently Evalyn Dunn Gallery prospered.

“In its 61st year, the east coast treasure showcases the finest 20th Century American and European art, works of acclaimed artists from all countries, including Alvar of Spain, Graciela Rodo Boulanger of Bolivia, Ron Hedrick of Canada and American artists such as Michele Byrne, Jon Friedman, Mary Johnston and Ricardo Roig.”

Other include Stephanie Amato, Antonelle, Apple, Daniel Azoulay, Beatty, Natalia Bessonova, William Bunting, Giovanna Calzolari, Daniel Carvalho, C.M. Cooper,, Adolpho Colque, Cook, Cora, Cybele, Datian, Dawley, Degas, Fairchild-Woodard, Kate Faust, Gantner,William Gramley, Karla Gudeon, Ilan Harel, Jessica Hedrick, Impiglia, Jaramillo, Judaica, Kochberg, Lee, Mercurio D’Anchise, Miro, Natale, Nava, Pei Yang, Peter Max, Pino, Pruna Milanes Pv Giancarlos, Alicia Quaini, Renoir, Salzman, Jane Seymour, Sissman, Ilene Smith, Murray Smith, John Triarsi, Rosalia Verdun, Vidan Dangelico Vittorio, Jessica Wasilewski and Whistler.

Star Ledger‘s Sally Friedman writes: “Both sisters can still remember doing their homework after school in the back area of their parent’s art gallery.”

Today, Jaclyn Civins owns and runs the gallery, and her sister, Amy Walsh, is the marketing director. They fondly recall ambitious mom Evalyn and dad Benjamin importing oil paintings from Europe sixty years ago. As the business has grown and changed locations over the last decades, Civins and Walsh have left their own imprint on a business that honors what their parents began. Due to changing times the gallery has begun to diversify and has expanded to include jewelry, art glass, gifts and religious items.

Jaclyn Civins was just voted “Westfield’s Small Business Person of the year for 2018” by Alignable. The gallery was also selected as one of the top galleries in the US by Art Design Consultants.

American Art Awards: “American Art Awards selects Evalyn Dunn Gallery as our Best in New Jersey and one of our Top 25 American Galleries and Museums for 2019.”

Evalyn Dunn Gallery / 549 South Avenue West / Westfield, NJ 07090

Mon — Sat 10–5 / Sun & Evenings by appointment. / (908) 232­-0412

http://www.evalyndunnsgallery.com/

www.AmericanArtAwards.com annually awards 25 museums and galleries in spring, and with their critique in autumn, awards 300 artists (painters, photographers, sculptors and digital artists).

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Thom Bierdz

One of Medium’s TOP ART CONTRIBUTORS, award-winning author, actor, film-maker, painter. 12 books: 6 on art. President of WAA & AAA & ACCA.