It has been eight months since a Jersey City-based arts association called Pro Arts began building an alliance between Jersey City’s artistic and business communities. According to Pro Arts member Patter Hellstrom, who spearheaded the effort, much has been accomplished.
"The Arts and Business Initiative is helping to build a bridge between the arts and business communities in Jersey City for the mutual benefit of both," said Hellstrom last week.
Hellstrom said that a number of large companies with roots in New Jersey have aided the Jersey City arts community, especially Fleet and Provident banks. However, Jersey City-based real estate company Mack-Cali has increased its participation with commissions and providing gallery space.
"Mack-Cali has commissioned local sculptor Matthew Johnson to create a monument to Mack-Cali workers who helped out at Ground Zero on 9-11," said company spokesperson Virginia Sobel.
According to Sobel, on Sept. 11, a number of Mack-Cali construction employees left their posts to help out with recovery operations at the World Trade Center site. Sobel added Johnson’s skill as an iron worker would help the project artistically. The monument is expected to be finished in the next few months.
"Mack-Cali is also providing gallery space at its Plaza 4A building at the Harborside Financial Center," said Sobel. "We will be doing the same thing for the Jersey City Museum."
Sobel added that Mack-Cali had been a corporate sponsor for the Museum’s renovation efforts.
Hellstrom also mentioned JP Morgan Chase as another recent contributor to the growth of the arts community in Jersey City.
"There will be a gallery in the lobby of the Chase building currently being constructed on Washington Avenue which will have work from a small group of Pro Arts artists," said Hellstrom. Hellstrom added the lobby gallery will have a tentative opening date of Sept. 26 and will be a site on the Jersey City Arts & Studio Tour (sponsored by The Jersey City Reporter) in early October.
Also at the new Chase building on Washington will be a second gallery that will feature local artists. The gallery, Hellstrom said, will cover 2,200 square feet.
"We hoping for a Sept. 20 opening date on the gallery," Hellstrom stated.
Hellstrom explained the double benefit to an alliance between the business and arts communities in Jersey City.
"When companies provide for arts in the community they are in, it provides a stronger quality of life," said Hellstrom. "The employees have a stronger connection to the place they are working at.”
"Fleet and Provident sponsorship has always been fruitful, but bringing in other companies is always a benefit," Hellstrom added, noting that JP Morgan Chase has been collecting art for nearly 50 years, amassing a collection of 10,000 pieces in its offices worldwide.
Artists benefit from corporate sponsorship in a number of ways, most especially with increased exposure.
"There is a lot of visibility for an artist when companies buy their work or give a commission," Hellstrom explained. "Exhibition is the way most artists are seen these days."
Housing was another issue Hellstrom addressed, expressing a hope that older downtown building could be renovated into artist housing.
"Artists need special housing," said Hellstrom. "They need wider doors to move canvasses in and out. A combination of studio and living space would also be good for artists in the area."
"The alliance of business and the arts in Jersey City has lots of pluses," said Hellstrom.