The Middletown Arts Center hosts Meant to Be: IN CONVERSATION, a panel discussion celebrating the group exhibition exploring themes of connection and unity. Featuring 28 artists working across diverse media, this conversation offers insight into the ideas, processes and shared threads that bring the exhibition together. The panel will be held on Sunday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Artists to appear on the panel include Jennifer DiZefalo, John Michael de Poortere, Ellen Martin, Mona Pollard and Judi Tavill. Curated by Eleanor James and Jennifer Watson, the exhibition is on view through March 1, 2026.

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.

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 by 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, 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