NJCU Visual Arts Gallery to Premiere "Between Air and Earth: Winifred McNeill" on March 16
Within Ruin, above
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU) Galleries will open "Between Air and Earth: Winifred McNeill," honoring distinguished artist and Professor Emeritus Winifred McNeill, on Monday, March 16, 2026. The exhibition will run through Thursday, April 9.
NJCU's Visual Arts Building Gallery — located on the lower level of the Visual Arts Building at 100 Culver Avenue on campus — will host this exhibition celebrating McNeill's remarkable career and contributions to the NJCU Art Department, where she taught for more than 25 years. Working freely at the intersection of sculpture, ceramics, assemblage, painting, and drawing, McNeill has developed her practice to uncover poignant narratives hidden beneath the surface. Building on a solid foundation of craft and traditional studio skills, she draws inspiration from both ancient sources and contemporary references.
An artist reception will be held on Wednesday, March 18 from 4-7 p.m. at the Visual Arts Gallery. An Artist Talk with Dr. Marice Rose, a Professor of Art History and Visual Culture at Fairfield University, will take place during the reception from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The public is also invited to meet the artist on Sunday, March 29 from 2-4 p.m.
Inspired by ancient Roman art, particularly works excavated in Pompeii, McNeill creates pieces that appear broken or damaged to reveal beauty arising from devastation. Her ongoing series "Within Ruin" features small boxes with sides intentionally broken and blistered, as if ravaged by fire. The glaze incorporates pumice from the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Dr. Marice Rose writes, "Winifred McNeill's art is like an excavation that creates rather than destroys."
The exhibition also premieres McNeill's new painting series "Horizon," which depicts birds and turtles against beautifully painted bands of sky and land. Its inspiration comes from the garden frescoes of the Villa of Livia, ca. 20 BCE. By highlighting both recent and earlier works, the exhibition illuminates the contemporary yet classical quality that defines McNeill's art.
McNeill exhibits her work at Ivy Brown Gallery in New York City as well as at other national and international venues. Her work is held in private and public collections, including the New York Public Library and Columbia University's Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Her artist residencies include the European Ceramic Work Centre (EKWC), the Brodsky Center at PAFA in Philadelphia, and the Virginia Center for Creative Arts.
After earning a BFA from Boston University and an MFA from Queens College, CUNY, McNeill taught drawing and painting at St. Stephen's School in Rome, Italy. Upon returning to the U.S., she served as Curator of Education at the Jersey City Museum and later taught in the NJCU Art Department until 2022, when she was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus.
The Visual Arts Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday, 12-5 p.m., and by appointment. For appointments, email Midori Yoshimoto, Gallery Director, at myoshimoto@njcu.edu or gallery@njcu.edu.
For further information, visit the njcu.edu/gallery and @njcugalleries on Instagram.
Please note: The NJCU Harold B. Lemmerman Gallery remains closed until further notice due to major repairs. Updates on the possible reopening date will be provided as they become available.
About NJCU:
New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, NJCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Consistent with our mission, NJCU is recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, ensuring students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of New Jersey. On July 1, 2026, NJCU is expecting to complete a merger with Kean University to join the Kean University system to become Kean Jersey City.
Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301