No items found.
Good Grief Art Show encourages reflection on the stages of grief which can be profoundly different for everyone but remain a shared human experience.
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.
Best in Show ($100 value): $50 Artist Membership for 1 year plus WWA merchandise (t-shirt, hat, water bottle, notebook, tote bag, pencils and WWA pins).
%2520(1).png)
Best Use of Medium: $50 gift card for Belle Mead Co-op in Hillsborough
Juror's Choice: $50 gift card for Belle Mead Co-op in Hillsborough
Honorable Mention: Princeton Record Exchange, Princeton
Jayme Fahrer
A smiling person with curly hair, featuring pink highlights, poses in front of a colorful painting and a palette of paints.
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.
News Item: Spotlight on Jayme Fahrer
Charli Decker
A woman with long brown hair smiles, wearing a purple top, in front of a patterned curtain.
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.
Interested in entering art? Read the details for the call for art and submit your art today.
Featured art: Good Grief by Jayme Fahrer, Depression by Charli Decker, Beautifully Broken by Jayme Fahrer.
Established in 2010, West Windsor Arts is known for its exceptional education, innovative arts exhibitions and community service. West Windsor Arts cultivates the artist within us all, while inspiring a creative community that is engaged, inclusive and equitable.
