Dear Editor:
Pro Arts, the Jersey City based visual arts organization, takes pride in working with many individuals and organizations. So I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our many collaborators, co-sponsors and supporters.
We organized 11 public art exhibitions in the last year and are grateful to Fleet Bank for providing space and financial support for several of our most popular exhibitions including the Powerhouse and Embankment Exhibitions (which we co-sponsored with the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy and the Embankment Preservation Coalition); Hamilton Park Ale House for catering our opening receptions; and Grace Church for providing space for not only exhibitions but also for meetings and performances.
This year’s Studio Tour was bigger and better than ever thanks to Maryann Kelleher and the Jersey City Department of Cultural Affairs; The Hudson Reporter; Robert Costa, the Pro Arts Curator of “Art in Plain View” exhibitions and Charles Chamot of the Charles Chamot Art Gallery whose tireless efforts made this Studio Tour the best yet.
We also want to thank St. Peter’s Prep for providing space for Blow-Up, our lecture series; The Jersey Journal for their reporting and beautiful photos of so many of our events and Progress Printing, Mailbox Etc. and Franklins for help with our publications.
Finally we’d like to thank City Council and most of all Mayor Bret Schundler for his leadership and unwavering support for the arts for the last eight years. We thank him especially for the Jersey City Museum; the Christopher Columbus Mural; the Studio Tour and his unyielding support for the dream of WALDO, Jersey City’s art district. As we look forward to 2001 we are gratified by the enthusiastic response we’ve received to our recent Friends of Pro Arts membership drive.
Thanks from the entire Pro Arts’ Board of Directors to all of you and to many others who have helped make 2000 a banner year for the arts in Jersey City.
Charles Kessler, President
Pro Arts