The CASID in partnership with Councilman Ward D, Bill Gaughan, the Jersey City Division of Cultural Affairs, Jersey City Pro Arts, Jersey City Museum, The Distillery Gallery & Artspace, Art House Productions, and Heights Artist Initiative was pleased to collaborate together to extend the 20th annual Jersey City Artists’ Studio Tour (October 2-3, 2010) to the Heights Section of Jersey City.
During this exciting weekend the Heights Central Avenue business district featured gallery spaces for artists to display artwork to the community, as merchants and artists partnered together for the first time to reach a wide audience and to help amplify the event to the next level.
In addition, the CASID hired mural artists to turn Central Avenue wall spaces from drab canvases into uplifting works of art! The installation of the murals was continued throughout the Tour, which added to the art programming for the weekend, but left a lasting impression.
The Central Avenue business district was so proud to be a part of a truly special Jersey City event that allowed local artists a chance to shine. The smiles and energy the weekend brought from people visiting from near and far, definitely added excitement!
The CASID hopes to adopt the Studio Tour on the Avenue, each year, to continue to strengthen the partnership between many local artists and businesses.
Please see below for the activities that occurred over the Tour weekend:
Studio Tour on Central Avenue: Featured Artists & Entertainment
On Display all weekend long:
| Artist | Business |
| Beth Lucas – Through painting, she completes beautiful images for all to enjoy. | Renato’s Pizza Masters- 278 Central Ave |
| E. Jan Kounitz – An engaging artist who uses photography to capture unique finds and genuine smiles. | Baines Family Dental- 386 Central AveCentral Avenue Bagels- 293 Central AveEast Coast Barbershop- 120 Bowers StEye Contact Vision Center- 368 Central AveStop & Shop Supermarkets- 232 Central Ave |
| Edgar Vidal, Lindy Pagan, Jamison Staggard, & Ray Flores – These artists use ink and skin to create amazing visual images. The works they displayed were not too shabby, etiher. Having a steady hands, creative imaginations, and an eye for detail makes their artwork truly unique. | Lucky Hearts Tattoo- 6 Bleeker St |
| Eugene Hyon – Through his lens, images of the world around us are taken in all their glory. | Good Year Chinese Cuisine– 416 Central AveJersey City Florist– 285 Central Ave |
| Maria Castillo – Using contrasting and bright hues, this artist creates pieces full of richness and body. | La Concha– 384 Central Ave |
| Ricardo Armagno – This artist creates memorable large and small scale designs and graphic art for all occasions. | Kari’s Signs– 455 Central Ave |
| Sabrina Lee – This artist features nostalgic photos of old-time Jersey City, specifically the Heights. | Charles B. Swensen Realty, LLC – 289 Central Ave |
Saturday, October 2nd: Daytime Activities Line-Up
Sidewalk Chalk on Central
Many families came out to get involved with the neighborhood “Chalk the Sidewalk” activity, that sparked creativity in future artists of the Heights. This fun event was organized by the Heights Parents’ Association and took place from 2-4 PM. Chalk, creative assistance, and candy were provided to the young and the young at heart.
Live Art Demonstrations
Artist Royce Bannon, along with a member of the Endless Love Crew turned a bare wooden canvas into a work of art right before local shoppers’ eyes! He created one of his ‘signature monsters’ in front of 410 Central Avenue between 1-3 PM.
Live Musical Performances
Live performing artists, Jay Legaspi and Carolyn Light lined the Avenue to add some soul to the event! These musicians entertained visitors for hours as they shopped til’ they dropped, dined on fine cuisine, and toured the Avenue for arts galore!
More Art Features & Exhibits Around the Heights
The Studio Tour weekend does not host the only arts exhibits in the Heights. Public Art is spread all over our great neighborhood! Take a walk around the Heights community to see well-known public sculptures and designs, throughout the local parks and beyond. Furthermore, many businesses have one-of-a-kind art displayed within their shops all year long. In addition, the Hope Center for the Visual and Performing Arts and The Distillery Gallery & Artspace keep their doors wide open to the Hudson County community all year long to showcase many displays and/or performances for everyone’s viewing pleasure.
New Murals Installationed on the Avenue
Featured Mural Artists:
Megan Gulick – Painting a mural on the side of Daisy Cleaners at 426 Central Avenue, this charming artist uses quirky illustrations to express her soul and special life story. She brings these elements to Central Avenue to design a work that marks some of the most notable places and features of the Heights. With an upbeat twist, Gulick gives our hometown neighborhood a new look that is still also reflective of our original community!
Richard La Rovere – Painting a mural on the side of .99 POWER at 387 Central Avenue, this artist copies landscapes and facades that are truly breathtaking. His design captures Central Avenue as it is today, to serve as a timecapsule for the future. As the Heights is continually changing, it only seems fair to step back and salute the City and community we all know and love right now, in 2010!
To learn more about this project, click on the links below: