Dear Editor:
I wanted to congratulate all of the artists who participated in the Jersey City Studio Tour on October 5 and 6. As a local artist who has just recently moved to Jersey City, it was very encouraging to see a community pull together and organize such a successful event. The write-up about the studio tour, “Urban Artists Win” (October 12, 2003) by Eugene Mulero was also very encouraging. I’m excited to be a part of this community and am amazed to find that so many talented artists live here.
Mulero wrote that, “Jersey City artists are finally giving stuffy New Yorkers a run for their money,” and I couldn’t agree more. The Chelsea scene has become a place for the lofty and arrogant, and for me and many of my fellow artist friends, it is uncomfortable to be a part of it. From the attitudes of the artists participating in the Jersey City Studio Tour I got a feeling of true excitement and a genuine love of art. I cannot stress how much of a relief this was – almost like discovering art all over again.
When I had first moved to Jersey City I visited the Jersey City Museum of Contemporary Art located on Montgomery Street. Although the space was beautiful, the museum was completely empty and few of the available galleries were open. It’s sad to know that in a community so full of talented artists, a gorgeous gallery space such as this goes unnoticed and unused. After experiencing the Jersey City Studio Tour, I know for a fact that there is an abundance of talented, practicing artists in Jersey City, and I encourage all of you to take the time to check out all of our local galleries and museums on a regular basis, not just one weekend a year. Jersey City has a lot to offer in terms of being an artist community, and I’m proud to say that I’m part of it.
Julia