HUMBLE  BEGINNINGS

Before we found our 12 acre location in Lambertville, Brion Galleries had humble beginnings in Chester, New Jersey as The Artists Showcase.  It was an 18 ft. x 19 ft. space with a low profile exterior.  It was founded by Donna Brion in 1994, right after she resigned her position of Public Relation Officer at the largest museum in the state – The Newark Museum. 

The Artists Showcase opened it’s door in July of that year with a  show of Donna’s mother, Lois Brion’s,  beautiful Post-Impressionistic oil paintings and bronze sculptures by Nancy B. Leeds.  Donna’s father Lester Brion was a welcoming host and the gregarious bartender at the Grand Opening.  It was  a successful family affair.

 Soon thereafter, originals of published cartoons by Donna’s award-winning cartoonist brother David Brion were on view.  By the time of the gallery’s Grand Opening,  The Artist’s Showcase

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Photograph © 1994  Donna Brion
Artist Lois Brion, the founder Donna Brion’s mother, is pictured at the Grand Opening.  She is standing in front of her oil on canvas titled
The Brenta Canal.

© Donna Brion
The Artists Showcase was tucked into the corner of Chestnut Tree Square at 10 Budd Avenue, Chester, NJ – just across Main Street (Route 24) from the popular
Publick House restaurant.

Photograph ©1994 Donna Brion
David Brion is pictured in front of  originals of  some of his published cartoon illustrations.  Pictured here are works that appeared in the Daily News and
 New York Woman magazine.

© 1994 Donna E.  Brion
Sculptor Nancy B. Leeds is pictured here with photographer (and our original webmaster/designer) John Craig at The Artist’s Showcase opening show.  Lois Brion’s paintings are pictured above the sculpture.