The “Good Grief” exhibition is a collaborative exploration of the five stages of grief, juried by long-time friends and local artists, Jayme Fahrer and Charli Decker, of East Windsor. Though their styles and artistic methods are worlds apart, they are united by a shared passion for examining the emotional and human experience through their artwork.
Charli’s art, known for its smooth lines and realistic renderings, captures the expressions of people in their most vulnerable moments. Her mastery of lifelike detail reveals the depth of human emotion, offering a window into the faces of those experiencing denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
In contrast, Jayme’s approach to this exhibition is rooted in abstract representation, using bold colors, dynamic movement, and unconventional materials. Where Charli invites the viewer to relate to specific faces and expressions, Jayme’s work seeks to evoke an emotional resonance through texture, form, and color—reflecting the complexity of grief in a more visceral, interpretive way.
Together, this juxtaposition of realism and abstraction creates a dialogue between the seen and the felt, offering viewers two different paths to understanding grief. “Good Grief” encourages reflection on how each stage can look and feel profoundly different for everyone, but remains a shared part of the human experience.
Aug 13: Deadline to enter art
Aug 18 and 19: Notification of selections
Sept 18 and 19: Drop off/send work:
Sept 23 to Nov 1: Exhibition dates
Oct 3, 7 to 8:30 pm: Reception
Jayme brings a profound understanding of grief and resilience to her art. Her journey through grief began young, shaped by the loss of her grandparents and witnessing the impact of illness in her family. These early experiences were only the start, as life continued to introduce her to new layers of grief. When her father passed away, Jayme faced a transformative sorrow, but nothing prepared her for the grief she would come to feel for herself.
Surviving bacterial meningitis forced her through every stage of grief, as she wrestled with the loss of the person she once was. Learning to live beyond her illness and its lasting impacts became an emotional, raw journey that brought her, ultimately, to a place of acceptance. Today, Jayme uses art as both a reflection of this journey and a way to process emotions that go beyond words.
As a juror for the “Good Grief” exhibition, Jayme draws from her personal experience with the complex emotions of loss and healing. Her artwork, particularly her abstract approach, embodies her belief that grief, in all its forms, has meaning and can be expressed in profound ways.
Charli Decker is an artist whose life and work are deeply intertwined with themes of loss, resilience, and transformation. An artist for as long as she can remember, Charli took a break from her creative practice for several years, only to recently experience a renewed burst of artistic energy that demanded expression. She poured this energy into a deeply personal body of work, exploring the theme of grief and healing.
The thread of grief has woven through Charli's life in many forms. From enduring a physically, verbally, and emotionally abusive first marriage at a young age, through the challenges of single motherhood, through love and loss and family trials, and through the ongoing navigation of her oldest son's struggle with bipolar disorder and suicide ideation, grief has been a familiar companion.
In her current series, Charli explores the five stages of grief- denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The mediums used, charcoal and watercolor, were chosen for their rawness and fluidity, mirroring the emotional intensity of grief. The bold, expressive strokes of charcoal harness the harshness of grief and the strength it demands, while the washes of watercolor embody the fragility and ever-shifting nature of grief.
Through this resurgence of creative energy, Charli reconnected with her artistic roots and rediscovered the healing power of expression. Her art reminds us that grief is a universal experience, but it is also deeply personal. Each piece invites viewers to connect with their own experiences of grief, offering a space of reflection, recognition, and a release.
Entry of artwork and application for jury review constitutes an agreement between the artist and West Windsor Arts to the conditions set forth:
Note: West Windsor Arts retains the right to use the artist’s name and digital images of accepted artwork.
1) Entry from will be available soon. Please check back.
2) Pay the registration fee here: Entry fee for Good Grief
*It may be helpful to have the following information ready before you begin the form:
--- Artist info: name as it will appear on wall labels, contact information, website (if applicable),
--- Bio (for audience review)a
For each artwork:
---Title, medium, dimensions, sale price or not for sale, insurance value (usually the same as the sale price)
---Artist statement about each artwork. (This might include why you created this piece of art, how it relates to the theme, your inspiration, materials used and/or your process.)
---Upload image (An image of each piece of artwork will need to be uploaded. Make sure it is in focus and square to the frame. Please rename the image file you are uploading to the following format: title of art.jpg. Do not send us an image file name that is just a string of numbers. If you need help to rename your image files, please call us.)
---WWA will work with the accepted artists to accommodate the mediums submitted. Artwork must be in its original form for the medium being submitted.
Featured art: Good Grief by Jayme Fahrer, Depression by Charli Decker, Beautifully Broken by Jayme Fahrer.