They are starting to bubble up around town. At places like l.i.t.m., Ground Coffee House, and Gallerie Hudson, the artistic lifeblood that is traditionally underground in Jersey City is becoming more apparent. On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2 and 3, the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour will bring those interested directly to the source of inspiration itself, the artist’s studios.
Even with controversy surrounding the future of 110 and 111 First St., the Jersey City art scene continues to grow.
“A lot of people felt last year was the best tour,” said Greg Brickey of the Jersey City Cultural Affairs Department. “The city is obviously a magnet for artists. Last year we got great press. There was really just a big buzz and more people want to be involved.”
Last year, Brickey predicts there were anywhere between 7 to 8,000 visitors.
Over 300 artists exhibited last year. This year, Brickey predicts there will be between 400 and 500. Applications are requested but not required for participation. Last year there were 200 applications, and this year, there are 370.
“We’re not turning people away,” said Brickey. “It’s a city event, and it’s open to everyone. There are a lot of emerging artists, and for a lot of people, this is their first exposure as an artist.”
With 20 venues that were not included in last year’s show, there is room enough for everybody.
“If people indicate on their application that they need community space, we bring in curators from some of the larger curated shows who will look at slideshows of their work and decide who’s to go in their exhibitions,” Brickey said.
Artists with no space of their own who do not get selected for curated exhibitions can display their work at the Jersey City Armory, located at 678 Montgomery St.
Brickley predicts that about one third of the artists this year have not exhibited in the past.
And the tour hasn’t filled up yet.
“A lot of people get involved in group exhibitions at the last minute,” Brickey said.
Plan ahead
Photographer Leon Yost, who will display out of his home at 223 York St., along with his wife, Erma, who creates pieces out of felt, suggests planning ahead to make the best use of time. A supplement in Sunday’s Reporter provides a map and some descriptions of what is out there.
“It’s almost impossible to go to every single studio, because there are 72 dots on the map,” said Yost. “So it’s good to make a plan. It’s really a two-day plan. The smart people start on Saturday to get a sense of what is there, and then they have Sunday to fill in the gaps of that they didn’t get to. The day goes fast. The tour is from noon to 6 p.m., so time flies.”