
BetweenUS
BetweenUS: A Celebration of New Jersey’s Performance Art
This August and September, Basecamp Studio & Gallery is proud to present BetweenUS, a groundbreaking performance art exhibition spotlighting the evolution of New Jersey’s performance art movement. Featuring artists Nicole Strafaci, Spencer Soletto, Simon Keller, and Frank May, BetweenUS brings together a series of live performances, installations, interactive experiences, and a gallery exhibition that reflect the deep-rooted artistic legacy of New Jersey and New Brunswick.
Inspired by the spirit of Fluxus, “Happenings,” and contemporary performance art, BetweenUS honors the avant-garde traditions that took root at Rutgers University and throughout the region in the 1960s and ‘70s—where art was immersive, boundary-breaking, and often playfully profound
EVENT SCHEDULE
• Opening Reception & Exhibition (FREE)
Saturday, August 16, 6–9PM
Meet the artists and view mixed-media installations in the Basecamp gallery.
• Gallery Talk (FREE)
Saturday, August 23, 2PM
Join the artists in an open conversation about performance art and its evolving presence in New Jersey.
• "Happenings" Live Performances (Ticketed)
Saturday, September 6 & Saturday, September 27
Experience spontaneous, immersive works blending dance, movement, poetry, and audience interaction.

Cryptid Mountain
Cryptid Mountain is a multimedia art and performance lead by creator David LaMorte. The “Mountain” is a HO scale model of a fictional mountain covered with a mix of real and reimagined landmarks. “Cryptid Mountain” tells the story of the Jersey Devil traveling up the mountain.
The Cryptid Mountain is not just the story of the Jersey Devil. David will tell you the story as well as go deeper into the many other cryptids and locations on the mountain.
Loosely based on the Inferno chapters of Dante’s Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, “Cryptid Mountain” takes the Jersey Devil on a journey of self discovery though NJ. Like Dante, the devil is mentored by Bigfoot.

Summer Sunday with Friends
Join Friends of Metuchen Arts and Basecamp Studio & Gallery for a FREE Sunday concert, on the lawn at our location Main St.
Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy. Also come see the “Metuchen Vibes” Show and the “BetweenUS” Show at our adjoining Galleries at 315 Main St while your are there.

Drop in and Draw
Ed Wetzel Studio is joining Robert Diken of Basecamp Studio & Gallery to bring you a series of casual drawing evenings during the Summer months. Weather permitting the events will be outside the Basecamp location during the sunset hours. Tables and chairs will be available, but bring all your own art materials to draw or paint.
Some friendly guidance and encouragement offered, as requested. A still life, sculpture or model will be provided as a focal point. The goal is to encourage a fun place to be creative in the Arts District together.
No fees, but small donations welcomed to cover any frictional costs for model or musician.
If weather is inclement we will move inside to the Galleries at 315 Main.
Summer Sunday with Friends
Join Friends of Metuchen Arts, Basecamp Studio & Gallery and Community Nursery School for FREE Summer concerts outside at 315 Main St. Bring a blanket and hear some great local music performers. A great place to gather after your Sunday brunch! And you can check out the cool art for sale at the galleries as well.

DROP IN AND DRAW
Ed Wetzel Studio is joining Robert Diken of Basecamp Studio & Gallery to bring you a series of casual drawing evenings during the Summer months. Weather permitting the events will be outside the Basecamp location during the sunset hours. Tables and chairs will be available, but bring all your own art materials to draw or paint. Some friendly guidance and encouragement offered, as requested. A still life, sculpture or model will be provided as a focal point. The goal is to encourage a fun place to be creative in the Metuchen Arts District together.

Embracing Imperpection: The Art of Wabi Sabi
The Highland Park Arts Commission presents Embracing Imperfection: The Art of Wabi Sabi led by cone9colab artists Bob Diken, Simon Keller, and John Marron.
In a world that seeks perfection, Wabi Sabi invites us to embrace the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. This engaging lecture will introduce the philosophy of Wabi Sabi through art forms like bonsai, ceramics, Sumi-e painting, haiku, and assemblage, alongside a presentation of Zen objects. Experience the meditative grace of the Japanese tea ceremony and discover how these traditions reflect a deeper acceptance of life as it is—flawed, fleeting, and profoundly beautiful.

Create with me
Join Basecamp owner Robert Diken every Sunday for Create with Me. Watch or join in as we make spontaneous art together — assemblage, sculpture, collage, block printing, and drawing. It’s all about the process, not the outcome. A casual space to explore materials, connect, and create as a community.

Incubating Wabi - Sabi - Tea Ceremony
Yuu Zen Raku 悠然楽 (effortless) is a freeform contemporary tea gathering inspired by the enduring Japanese tea ceremony Cha No Yu 茶の湯. It is an invitation to reflect on what matters. In the act of sharing a bowl of tea lies a mindful awareness and tranquility that engages all our senses. The beauty that lies in form follows function, nature, taste, scent, and lore are the elements of an offering that in and of itself is spiritual, expressing the essence of its source wabi sabi 詫寂.

Plein Air Drawing workshops by Ed Wetzel
Join artist Ed Wetzel for outdoor drawing workshops focused on the art of plein air sketching. Explore and sketch local landmarks—including historic buildings, street scenes, parks, and gardens.
Tickets are $25 pay at door
FREE parking in Basecamp’s back lot


“Experiments” by Robert Diken
Opening Reception June 7, 6-9pm. Show on-view during Exhibition Hours

Interlude - Billy Seccombe
Join FOMA and Basecamp who have collaborated to continued run of Billy Seccombe’s oil painting exhibition called “Interlude” - coming to Metuchen from his recent show at the Dacia Gallery in NYC.
Also includes additional work from his collection in their other gallery rooms.