Publicity for Isabella Neufeld Solo Exhibition at the Chester Library

As Isabella Neufeld’s latest solo exhibition—which I curated at the Chester Library in Chester, New Jersey—comes to a close, I would like to sincerely thank Edward Ng, President of the Chester Historical Society, for facilitating the publicity of Isabella and her show on their website! Having now posthumously displayed her watercolor paintings and colored pastel drawings at several community venues throughout New Jersey, I am led to reflect upon the remarkable journey that her collection of work has taken since it was given to myself and my mom by Isabella’s lifelong friend. Previous to Chester this past month (April 2025), it has been featured at the Bridgewater Township Senior Center from June—July 2023, followed by the Bridgewater Library in December 2023 (alongside my own photography work), the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center in Bridgewater in February 2024, the Hunterdon County Library in Raritan Township in August 2024, and the West Caldwell Public Library in January 2025. In return for her close friendship with my mom and her strong and unwavering support of our family and all that we do, it has been such a tremendous privilege for us to continue her legacy as an artist and person through this traveling showcase.

Isabella Neufeld, née Baltazar, was a self-taught watercolor and colored pastel artist. Born in Bucharest, Romania on January 5, 1948, she developed a childhood love of art and music, which to her was a source of comfort. She grew fond of all of the arts, but she came to especially appreciate the Impressionists, Vincent Van Gogh, Southwestern American art, and modern and contemporary art. Isabella was additionally known by her family and close friends as a kind and gentle person with a beautiful heart. Her childlike excitement radiated upon all those in her presence. She was the type of artist who created art for no other purpose than the pure joy of the creative process. This is only a small, privately-owned collection—acquired by her dear friend, and my mom, Sue Fernandez—out of the many watercolor paintings and colored pastel drawings that she produced throughout her life. She rarely displayed her work publicly, as she was modest and humble about her artistic talent. We believe that posthumously sharing her art for others to view and appreciate is a wonderful honor and tribute to her and her life. Isabella—who passed away in 2022—believed that art is a gift to be shared and enjoyed by everyone, and that even after we are gone, art lives on.

She and her late husband Paul would have undoubtedly been thrilled to see her work proudly displayed for library patrons and staff to view and appreciate. I hope to share her work at many more venues. As I continue my own endeavors as a mixed media artist, art writer, and curator, I am truly honored to facilitate Isabella’s traveling exhibition, in her loving memory. 🖼️🎨🖌️🙏🏻

The press release for Isabella's exhibition on the Chester Library website

Myself with Isabella's show at the Bridgewater Township Senior Center

Isabella's exhibition at the Bridgewater Library, alongside my own photography work (not pictured)

A portion of Isabella's show at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center

Isabella's exhibition at the Hunterdon County Library

Isabella's show at the West Caldwell Public Library

A section of Isabella's exhibition at the Chester Library

Isabella's bio, which accompanies her work

Myself and my mom, Sue Fernandez, with Isabella's work