The Middletown Arts Center is pleased to present its February exhibition, Meant to Be, a group show exploring themes of connection and unity, featuring work by more than 25 artists across a wide range of media. Curated by Eleanor James and Jennifer Watson, the show will be on view February 2 – 27, 2026, with an Opening Reception to be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

Meant to Be is a representation of connection and the coming together of different worlds in a time of divide. Politics, culture, religion and even truth seem to be in a place of subjectivity and separation. This collection of works focuses on hope of collaboration, unity and compassion.

The pieces selected encompass the notion of relationships, showing juxtapositions of people, places, time and space. They embrace the idea that the universe brings things together naturally and without force. Some of the works chosen provide balance, mirroring images and collide to demonstrate this concept of coming together.

Warm tones contrasting with black and white images are an example of how the differences in our environment can be brought together with common themes.

During the month of February, a time known for love and connection, the curators have selected works that mirror how kindness and compassion can be brought together to unite artists and art lovers alike in our communities; that the show of works presented was simply meant to be.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Lisa Bagwell, Ericka Bruno, Margery Cohen, Caroline DeFelice, Summer Deaver, John Michael de Poortere, Franki DeSaro, Dawn DiCicco, Jennifer DiZefalo, Yolanda Navarra Fleming, Wynn Gay, Suzan Globus, Gary Steven Groves, Lisa Ficarelli Halpern, Seth Ruggles Hiler, Donna Kessinger, Kevin Kinner, Jane Kleiman, Frankie Mainieri, Ellen Martin, Michael Paris Mazzeo, Monica Nask, Andrea Phox, Mona Pollard, Stacey Pritchard, Mike Quon, Abby Rarig, Elaine Shor, Victoria Steel, Judi Tavill and Matt Wieczkowski

For more information on the exhibition, please visit https://middletownarts.org/meant-to-be-exhibition/

ABOUT THE MIDDLETOWN ARTS CENTER
The Middletown Arts Center is located at 36 Church Street in Middletown, NJ (next to the Middletown train station). Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with evening and weekend viewing by appointment. To schedule a visit, please call 732.706.4100. Free parking is available onsite and in the train station metered lot weekday evenings after 6 p.m. and weekends.

The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art facility in Middletown, New Jersey that offers performances, exhibits, classes, demonstrations and camps centering on the arts. Its convenient location across from the Middletown train station on Church Street enables easy access and its expanded MAC Annex is minutes away at the Middletown Reformed Church’s Education Building. The MAC is operated by a non-profit 501c3, the Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council dedicated to bringing quality arts programming and events to Middletown and surrounding communities. Visit middletownarts.org for more information and to join our mailing list for updates on classes, camps and activities at the Middletown Arts Center.

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
School Youth Art Month Exhibition: March 5–27, 2026
Garden State Watercolor Society’s 56th Open Juried Exhibition: April 1 – May 30, 2026