In the
Arts

"Paper, Metal and Stone," an art exhibit by Mira Welnowska, of Jackson, will be on display June 3-26 at the Ocean County Artists Guild on Ocean and Chestnut avenues in Island Heights. An artist's reception party will take place June 3, 1-4 p.m. Details: (732) 270-3111.

Welnowska, who teaches sculpture modeling classes in her studio in Jackson, will be presenting selected paper, bronze and stone sculptures and oil landscape paintings.

For the first time in show, Mira will be presenting sculptures constructed of handmade paper. In her process of making the paper, she colored pulp of Abaca (banana plant fiber from the Philippines), cotton liner and Kozo (a Japanese fiber).

Welnowska has studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, the New York Academy of Figurative Art and the Art Student League of New York. She is currently studying fine art at the Academy of Art University in California.

Several local artists and artisans from Holmdel and surrounding communities will display their handmade items 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 2 at Holmdel Community Church"s, "Trash and Treasure" sale at the church located at 40 Main St. in Holdmel. Items on display will include candles, incense, flowers and crafts. Paintings by Laura Brunetti, Colts Neck, will also be displayed. Lunch will be available.

Details: (732) 946-8821, or e-mail holmdelchurch@verizon.net or visit www.holmdelucc.org.

Fans of Johnny Cash can walk the line right into Just Plain Jane's, 581 East Veterans Highway, Jackson, June 2 when Michael Patrick's Ring of Fire Band presents a tribute to Johnny Cash. Special guests Sean Kershaw and the New Jack Ramblers will also perform at the all ages show. There will also be food vendors, a card reader and photos on hand. The event will take place rain or shine. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. Admission: $10. Gates open at 2 p.m. Show time: 4 p.m. Details: www.ringoffireband.com.

Bring your art, antiques and questions to Ph.D. art historian, art and antiques appraiser, syndicated newspaper columnist and television personality Dr. Lori for her "What's It Worth? with Dr. Lori" event at the Crystal Point Yacht Club, 3900 River Road, Point Pleasant, June 6 at 5:45 p.m. The event is open to the public and sponsored by and benefits the Guild of Ocean Medical Center. The cost to attend is $50 and includes a full-course dinner and cash bar. The event is limited to the first 200 reservations and only 100 hand-carried items will be appraised with a $5 per item charge. Details and registration: (888) 431-1010 or www.DrLoriV.com.

The New Jersey Repertory Company located at 179 Broadway, Long Branch, will present the world premiere of "Place Setting" by Jack Canfora. Directed by Evan Bergman and co-produced by Adam Weinstock, the cast includes David Bishens, Peter Macklin, Kristen Moser, Carol Todd and Jack Canfora. Performances will be May 31-June 24. The comedic drama depicts three couples on New Year's Eve of the millennium as they struggle to balance the lives they have with the lives they so desperately want.

Performances will be on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Specially priced previews will be held May 31 and June 1 at 2 and 8 p.m. Opening night will be June 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 with discounts for seniors, groups and students ages 18-25. Opening night price is $40 and previews are $25. Details and reservations: (732) 229-3166, www.njrep.org or Theatrermania.com.

The Friends of the Monmouth Museum will host "Something Old, Something New ... and a Sixpence in Her Shoe" luncheon and theatrical event June 7 at 11 a.m. at the Shadowbrook, Shrewsbury.

The event will feature local actors, and museum staff and volunteers showing how wedding traditions have evolved during the past 250 years. Guests will be able to interact with brides from the past three centuries at the event, which will also feature a buffet luncheon and Viennese dessert table. Tickets are $60 for nonmembers and $50 for members, and reservations are required. Proceeds benefit educational programs at Monmouth Museum, Lincroft section of Middletown.

For reservations, call the museum at (732) 747-2266.

The Mercer Dance Ensemble, a lyrical modern dance company will perform "MDE-Unleashed!" June 9 at 8 p.m. and June 10 at 2 p.m. at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre located on the college's West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road.

The show will feature Mercer's dance students and members of the community in a lighthearted look at life and love expressed through movement and music.

According to Janell Byrne, a dance instructor at the college and the director of the show, the performance will include a variety of interpretive pieces, some serious and others that are pure fun.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors, students and children. Details and tickets: (609) 570-3333 or www.kelseytheatre.net.