Red Horse Gallery Holds First Auction

Art lovers gathered at the Red Horse Gallery in the Freehold Raceway Mall Friday night for the venue’s first auction.

The Red Horse Gallery is sponsored by the Arc of Monmouth and VSA New Jersey and showcases work by artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The gallery shares space with the Arc of Monmouth’s Arc Resources Unlimited, which provides employment services for the disabled.

The two organizations partnered with the Lifetime Assistance for Developmental and Challenging Individual Needs (LADACIN) Network, a nonprofit that serves individuals with cerebral palsy and the Monmouth County Arts Council for Friday’s auction. The event featured 30 pieces of art by Leigha Cohen, Gabriella Gonzalez, Lois Monaghan, Kasey Tararuj and Michael Turner. One of Turner’s watercolor paintings valued at $450 was awarded as a door prize.

“The funds raised stay with the gallery but those nonprofits involved benefit,” said Vanessa Young, executive director of VSA New Jersey. The Monmouth County Arts Council, for example, has funded art classes at the gallery that LADACIN Network clients and others participate in.

The sponsors only made 100 tickets available for the exclusive event, which drew supporters of the arts from around the area.

“I want to buy everything,” said Freehold Borough resident Christine Berry, who complimented Gonzalez on the red horse oil painting the gallery is named after.

“I’ve done three art shows,” Gonzalez said, noting that this was the first time her work appeared in an auction. “It was nerve wracking when they actually auctioned them off.”

Any nervousness was quickly abated art lovers began eying potential purchases. Some 2/3 of the work was sold during the silent auction, according to event organizers.

Freehold Borough Arts Council President Neal Girandola said he was impressed by the obvious talent of the artists.

“It’s certainly a great cause and above that, the artwork is exceptional,” Girandola said.