Dear Editor:
Pro-Arts is a Jersey City based nonprofit organization devoted to promoting the art and artists of Jersey City. At year’s end we thoroughly enjoy taking the time to thank our many supporters and contributors without whom we could not have realized our goals.
We have received tremendous support and contributions from so many in the Jersey City community. It’s been a terrific year for us, and we are grateful to every person who has supported our organization, attended our exhibitions and events and shared our passion for the outstanding art community of Jersey City.
We are grateful for our corporate neighbors and for the local business people who have so generously supported our events throughout the year, most notably our October Studio Tour. We are proud to note that our sponsors have included the Hudson Reporter, JP Morgan Chase, Newport, Provident Bank, Goldman-Sachs, Mack-Cali, Merrill Lynch, PKG Associates, Bel Fuse, The Jersey City Museum, The Historic Downtown District and Hudson Camera. We are grateful to you all. We would like to especially thank Goldman-Sachs, Mack-Cali and Jersey City EDC for their mutual sponsorship of our Arts and Business Luncheon in January 2002. We also especially thank the members of our art and business focus group who have provided us with valuable insight and great company.
Our community has strongly supported us. We note the Friends of Pro Arts who have joined our organization as supporting members and Grace Church Van Vorst which continues to donate their space for numerous Pro Arts events. The Jersey City Public Library graciously donated the use of their beautiful top floor space as well and hosted our “Jersey City Landscape” exhibition in style last May. The Jersey City EDC has generously donated their office space for our Art and Business meetings. We thank the 111 First Street tenants council for sharing our goals in support of the Jersey City artist community, and the Hudson Reporter, Jersey Journal, Star Ledger, New York Times and other excellent publications that have helped us inform the public of our events and programs.
We are most grateful to Mayor Glenn Cunningham, the Division of Cultural Affairs and the City Council for their strong support of the arts throughout the year. We acknowledge their continued support in establishing an arts district in Jersey City and for sponsoring the Urban Land Institute study of the area, now called “the Powerhouse Arts District.”
Finally, our letter is not complete without thanks given to our members and to the artists of this community and for their hard work and for sharing our vision.
With best wishes to all for the coming year.
Kathryn Klanderman
President, Pro Arts