Nancy Staub Laughlin, an accomplished artist based in New Jersey, introduces an intriguing concept of the “assemblage”. In her own words, Nancy immerses the viewer into her radiant and captivating world of color, light, dimension and sheer beauty. These compelling compositions represent the culmination of a meticulously executed process that defines her unique artistic approach.
Nancy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Moore College of Art, in Philadelphia, PA. where her talent was recognized at a young age as the recipient of the Sarah A. Peters Traveling Fellowship. She has exhibited her talent at prestigious galleries such as Newhouse Gallery, Noho Gallery and Carter Burden Gallery in New York City. She has been recognized and honored in New Jersey where she had a one- person exhibit at the New Jersey State Museum along with being included in the permanent collection. Notably, Nancy was honored by Secretary of State, Nina Mitchell Wells (under Corzine) with a solo exhibit at the State House of New Jersey.
In 2021, Nancy’s exhibition “Sparkle” at the Carter Burden Gallery in New York, New York, garnered attention with a review by Mary F. Holahan Ph.D, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Delaware Art Museum, featured in Gallery/ Studio Magazine. Her critical acclaim extends to publications such as the New York Times, City Arts, Manhattan Arts International and features in renowned media outlets such as Star Ledger, Trenton Times, Martha Stewart Magazine, Catamaran Literary and Arts Magazine and Sanctuary Magazine. Nancy was chosen in 2020 nationwide by the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) to participate in an exhibition at Farleigh Dickinson University, Joyous Light. She also had a solo exhibition at the View, state of the art gallery/museum in the Adirondack region.
Other prestigious accomplishments have been exhibits at the Noyes Museum, Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters, Bristol/Myers Squibb and Prudential, all in New Jersey. Her work was also honorably included in a select show, Six New Jersey Masters at Kean University, Burger Gallery where she, subsequently, had a one person exhibit at the Nancy Dryfoos Gallery, also at Kean.
Nancy is represented in many private and public collections and was honored to be chosen to be in the NAWA collection at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Museum, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. She was honored to receive the Miriam Schorr Memorial Award: Works on Paper, National Association of Woman Artists in 2018. Her most recent acclaim was spring 2023 Vue Magazine highlighted Nancy in a five page feature. The Luminosity of the Blizzard, one of Nancy’s assemblages was selected for the 34th National Drawing and Print Exhibition at Gormley Gallery, Notre Dame of Maryland University. Nancy’s presence on YouTube, featured by NAWA in Art in Conversation with Farrin, showcased her artistic insights. Nancy accomplished two rave reviews from Project High Art 2023 and 2024 in the Artworld Post, both by art writer critic, Ann Williams. These significant reviews further acknowledge the compelling nature of her work.
Her most memorable highlight in her illustrious career was being reviewed by Sam Hunter, Art Critic and Historian of Modern and Contemporary Art who found her work “refreshingly unique”. This has been a common theme among many of her positive reviews. She offers a “different” approach and passion to drawing. Nancy is consistent in her vision…one can always recognize her signature style no matter how much she has changed or grown.
Statement
I have created a new concept of the assemblage working with pastels on paper and photography. After photographing my “stills”, the photograph is used as a reference to complete the final drawing. My newest series actually incorporates the photograph into the pastel. These dynamic, layered assemblages allow the viewer to enter my world of color, light, dimension and beauty from a different perspective. They are the culmination of many carefully executed steps that define my distinctive creative process. I envelope the viewer, play with the balance of nature vs. glimmer and unveil my glowing and dazzling, unique world .