Toms River Native Returns with Art Exhibition after 40-Year Absence

John Everett was born on Main Street in Toms River, NJ when the bridge to Seaside was made of wooden railroad ties.  He graduated from Toms River High School in 1968 where he was captain of the Wrestling Team.  John enlisted in the Army in the summer of 1968 which took him away from his home town.  He subsequently entered the US Military Academy at West Point in the summer of 1969.  He graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in 1973 with a B.S in Engineering. Throughout his 24 year military career, John served in many assignments overseas and in the USA.  Trained as a “Green Beret”, he commanded Special Forces Units at all levels to include an A-Team, B-Detachment and a Battalion in Okinawa.  He participated in many classified and unclassified Special Forces operations in the Pacific Rim and in Europe (including East Germany and East Berlin) during the “Cold War”.

John began painting in the early ‘70s and is self taught.  His love of the outdoors, especially the fall season, is reflected in his work.  His work captures many facets of the artistic world including impressionistic and realism using both oil and acrylic mediums.  Engineering structure and process learned in the Army can also be seen in his work.  His exhibition titled “Convergence” is the bringing together of the many aspects of his art from the picturesque to the whimsical.  His subject matter ranges from landscape scenes using photographs taken on his trips around the world, and onsite sketches.

John has a Master of Science degree in Telecommunications and a Masters Certificate in Systems Engineering from George Washington University.  John is currently employed as a systems engineer with the FBI in Washington, DC.  He is married to the former Mary Ellen Fuller of Toms River who is also a 1968 graduate of Toms River High School.  They have known each other since the 4th Grade.  They reside in Haymarket, VA where John also builds furniture in his spare time.  Between them, John and Mary Ellen have 5 children and 5 grand-children.

The John Everett exhibition is sponsored by the Virginia Perle Art Gallery located at 96 East Water Street in Toms River.  The galley will host a “Meet the Artist” Reception on Sunday 16 September 2007 from 1 to 4 PM.  The public is welcome.  The exhibition will remain at the gallery until October 20th.

For more information on Downtown Toms River, downtown events, or to become a volunteer at one of the fun events hosted annually, visit www.DowntownTomsRiver.com or call 732-341-8738.