Jersey City, NJ – Central Avenue Special Improvement District (CASID) in partnership with Pro-Arts Jersey City and The Heights Artist Initiative is pleased to debut the extension of the Pro Arts Contemporary Art Spaces (PACAS) and first installation project on Central Avenue! This is a milestone for the Jersey City Heights and it serves as a continuation of the outdoor art gallery emerging out of Central Avenue.
The PACAS program was designed to transform available spaces located in the Hudson County region into temporary exhibits. Selected for this first installation was well respected photographer E. Jan Kounitz exhibiting his photographic project entitled “Mo Me-Hood” . This project was started ten years ago and now sits on display in the storefront windows of 311 Central Avenue, Jersey City. The photos capture the evolving faces of the Heights emphasizing on the residents, merchants, places, and things.
“Pro-Arts, the Heights Artist Initiative and CASID continued to bring artists further into Jersey City giving a positive asset to the business district, the residents of this area, and to visitors. These environmentally conscious projects both beautifies and keeps social vitalization going for the main street,” said CASID President Michael Yun.
Just in time of the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour, this storefront window art gallery kicks off one of many public works of art available here in the Heights Community. What began in May 2009, Central Avenue continues to be the first Hudson County neighborhood main street to continue developing an outdoor art gallery. Several local artists were hired to participate in the “Streetscapes” Beautification art project in which it transform seven traffic boxes within the business district into works of art for residents, visitors, and shoppers to enjoy. CASID welcomes the pubic to enjoy the Artists Studio Tour and encourages the artist community to adventure out to one of Jersey City’s finest business districts and view the public works of art on Central Avenue and in the Heights area. This area has many variety of art ranging from the three public murals, to the six sculptures found in many of the Height’s parks to now our first storefront window art gallery on our main street. Outdoor art in the Heights of Jersey City has been growing and will continue to do so in the upcoming years.
“CASID is looking forward to continuing to grow the art community in the heights by adding to the existing art works and expanding it into a great outdoor art community center. Using the talent of local artists to help build the community spirit, artist will part take in the artistic progression of their home town. With an active art community, support of residents, merchants and Hudson County CASID will move forward onto bigger projects that will continue to flourish Heights section of the city of Jersey City,” said CASID President Michael Yun.
In the Group Shot photo from Left to Right; (Art Curator from Jersey City division of Cultural Affairs) Greg Brickey, (Hudson County Freeholder) Anthony Romano, (Pro Arts Director) Rebecca Feranec, (Artist) E. Jan Kounitz, (Jersey City Councilman) Bil Gaughan, (CASID President) Michael Yun, (Hauptman Carpets) Ed Soloman, and (CASID District Manager) David Diaz