New Jersey City University Visual Arts Gallery is presenting a solo exhibition by Johanna Foster titled "Formidable Women, Dangerous Times," running from May 14 to 28, 2026. The show features a series of figurative oil paintings that depict fierce women from Foster's communities, both real and imagined, exploring themes of resistance, courage, and perseverance in difficult times. Foster, a professor of sociology at Monmouth University, began her MFA at NJCU in 2022 and has exhibited widely across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and California, including a digital exhibition at Newark Liberty International Airport and the Montclair Art Museum.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the work of an emerging artist who bridges academic sociology and visual art, using portraiture to address personal and political resistance. It also reflects the role of university galleries in supporting local artists and fostering community dialogue, particularly around women's experiences and resilience. The show is part of a broader regional arts ecosystem in New Jersey, as evidenced by the article's listing of concurrent exhibitions at other local venues.