New Signature Members Exhibition 2025

Cathy Lazar is a fiber artist living in Northern New Jersey. At age 14, she studied with Walter Nottingham at Haystack Hinckley School of Crafts. She received a degree in Textile Design at the Rhode Island School of Design. After graduating, Cathy brought Kermit and Miss Piggy to life at the Muppet Workshop. Soon after, she founded Cathy Lazar Costumes and Soft Props, producing three-dimensional works for Claes Oldenburg, Bruce Springsteen, SNL, Laurie Simmons…She constructed over-sized objects for iconic brands such as Reebok, Oreo, and Elizabeth Arden. Cathy was introduced to mosaics in 1992. In her Shardonnay Mosaic Studio she has mentored women and girls for over 25 years. In 2018, Cathy returned to her textile roots, creating art quilts. Her quilts expand beyond the traditional.

Walking through the tropical area of a Costa Rican coffee plantation, I discovered these vibrant beehive ginger plants. I spent an hour capturing them from different perspectives, ultimately focusing on the spiral pattern at the very top of the bloom. This overhead view emphasizes the bold fuchsia color, geometric structure, and natural symmetry of this tropical flower. Placing the image against a black background—my signature approach to floral portraits—transforms the living plant into a sculptural study that reveals the universal beauty found in nature's diverse forms.

Reen Troy is an award-winning abstract artist whose vibrant, mixed media art celebrates the joy of water in landscapes. Her art is characterized by expressive textures, bold color palettes, and a sense of movement.

After graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Fine Art, Reen worked as an Art Director then started her own graphic and website design company.

In 2019, Reen was treated for breast cancer. She has been cancer-free for five years. From this, she gained a deeper appreciation for life, family, and the healing power of art. This led her to relocate to Florida in 2023.

After relocating to Florida, Reen’s art has shown in numerous juried shows and has won awards, including “Best in Show,” at the Manatee (now Herrig)  Art Center “Member Show.”

After graduating college with a degree in Studio Art, I branched out into Graphic Design and mural painting, while continuing to paint on canvas when I had time.

In recent years, with an empty nest and more time, I’ve been painting much more prolifically. While I feel that I’m still learning and will continue to learn with every single new painting, I also feel as if I’ve finally reached a point where I know what I’m trying to express. I’ve also honed my skills to a level where I’m able to effectively convey my concepts.

I've also been showing my work much more publicly and frequently--in group shows in the tristate area in the last few years, with two solo shows since 2019, and another coming up in 2026. I'm thrilled to be a member of NAWA, and have my work shown in this exhibit.

I am an abstract artist whose vibrant, layered paintings explore the emotional resonance of color, movement and transformation,. I started painting in 2008 with a passion for art as a catalyst for feeling, conversation and new ways to see the world  and to invite viewers to pause, reflect and connect with the energy of each piece.  My work has been featured in galleries and exhibitions across the east coast, earning recognition for its expressive depth and joyful spirit.