Local Nurse to Have Art Exhibit at Bridgewater Public Library

Hsiao-lin "Pearl" Chiang, RN, is a nurse at the Matheny Medical and Educational Center, a special hospital and educational facility in Peapack for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities. The Bridgewater resident is also an artist. From October 1-31, Chiang's paintings will be on display at the Bridgewater Public Library. The exhibit, "Life is Beautiful", contains 30 paintings, but since the space available at the library will only hold 10, Chiang will be changing the paintings twice during the month. "I love to paint," she says, " and I want to meet others who also love to paint or who might enjoy my colorful and happy paintings."

Chiang moved to the United States from her native Taiwan in 1990. She has enjoyed painting since she was a child, and, while it was originally mostly an escape for her, it has turned into much more than that. Last fall, she had a 38-painting exhibit at the Art Yards Cafe in Taipei. For the past eight years, she has been teaching art to students, and recently she recruited a group of high school students to help her complete a mural, "Paradise", in the Matheny children's dining room. She also has her own website, www.pearlchiangarts.com.

At Matheny, Chiang works on the red zone, a residential wing for adults. She describes Matheny as "like a big family. Everybody is there for you and supports you. And it's also like a family because we develop long-term relationships with the patients."

The Bridgewater Public Library is located at 1 Vogt Drive. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. For more information, call (908) 526-4016.