New Heights Art Supply is now located at 345 Central Ave, 2nd Floor
Jersey City, NJ – Artists continue to change Jersey City one main street at a time. The Central Avenue Special Improvement District Management Corporation is thrilled to announce the return of an art supply store to our shopping district. New Heights Arts Supply will officially open their doors and welcome the public at their open house event on Saturday, July 2, 2016 between the hours of 11am and 5pm. They will be located on the second floor of 345 Central Avenue (above the Rent-A-Center).
New Heights Art Supply is owned and operated by artist Raquel Rodriguez and her husband Hector Fadraga. In June 2015, these longtime Heights residents had the idea to create an arts supply store to cater to artists and hobbyists alike in the neighborhood. By July of 2016, their dream will become a reality on Central Avenue.
“It wasn’t an easy or a comfortable year,” Raquel said, “but I didn’t take no for an answer.” Raquel loves Jersey City, and she loves the arts community that calls it home. A professional graphic artist with a fine arts background, Raquel wants to bring high-quality, innovative supplies to her store and make them accessible to everyone. She wants some of the development happening in the Downtown district of the city to come to the Heights. Raquel was born and raised in Jersey City and majored in Graphic Design at School of Visual Arts. Hector is a Copy Production Editor/ Musician and Majored in Journalism & Philosophy at Syracuse University.
“Seeing residents start a family owned business in their own community is a beautiful thing,” said Sanford Fishman, CASID President, longtime pharmacist (Bond Drugs) and property owner in the district. “New Heights Art Supply is a welcomed addition to Central Avenue now that so many artists are now living in the neighborhood. We are very happy for Raquel and Hector and wish them much success in their new venture. Hopefully it won’t be long before they grow into a ground floor location on Central.”
For Raquel, sharing art by collaborating with the artists in the vibrant Jersey City scene is her way of contributing to her hometown. “Art begets art. We need more art-related businesses, more artist and art-related events,” said Raquel. “They are enriching for a community. It’s like the opposite of the broken windows theory; murals, exhibits, cultural events make a city more beautiful, engaging and appealing.”
New Heights Art Supply will stock materials for both professional and novice artists in Jersey City. Raquel is currently sourcing new, innovative materials that aren’t easily available locally. Because she knows that art supplies can sometimes be overwhelming she also plans to present classes, demos and workshops, and share her knowledge with her customers.
“One might see a paint tube or a marker and not think anything of it,” she added. “But I see them as powerful tools that have the ability to change someone’s life, whether they are the creator or the viewer.”
To learn more about New Heights Art Supply, visit their website.