Beginning this Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m., Union City kicks off their first ever celebration of “Art Month” with a ceremony at which they unveil an “Art UC” sculpture.
The sculpture will be the city’s first piece of public art, according to Union City’s office of public affairs. The unveiling will take place at Bergenline Avenue between 30th and 31st streets.
The position of poet laureate is unpaid.
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“We think it’s a new day for Union City. We’re trying to get everyone involved, not only in government but in arts and culture,” said Mayor Brian Stack.
The performances will be free. Among them will be a classical music performance at the Jose Marti Freshman Academy, located at 1800 Summit Ave. on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. by Lida Lopez Mancheva, pianist, and Eric Grossman, violinist.
The city has also scheduled “Danceteria,” a performance showcasing the talents of various dance groups. The performance will take place Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. at the same location.
An art gallery exhibition will be held at City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. Artistic work will include an exhibit by Union City Artist, Franck de Las Mercedes, Jay Gonzalez, and a performance by Graciela Barreto.
The city’s new poet
Commissioner Lucio Fernandez suggested that the town needed a poet laureate. So at this week’s Board of Commissioners meeting, Graciela Barreto, a Union City resident for four years, originally from Venezuela, accepted the town’s request that she be the city’s poet laureate.
The position will require that Barreto bring awareness of poetry to the city via public readings and through the organization of poetry workshops at local libraries. The position is unpaid.
“I have been living here for four years and I really feel this city as my hometown. I’m originally from Venezuela,” said Barreto when she accepted the position. “I am an artist; I’m a singer; I’m a musician; a poet. But above all, I’m a citizen of this wonderful world and this wonderful city of Union City.”
Melissa Rappaport may be reached at mrappaport@hudsonreporter.com