A citywide walking tour of artists’ studios returns to Jersey City this weekend. The 19th annual Jersey City Artists Studio Tour showcases the city’s bustling arts community from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 4. Welcoming approximately 400 artists at 100 venues citywide, this year’s tour is presented in part by Pro Arts, a non-profit dedicated to promoting arts in the community.
Director of Pro Arts Rebecca Feranec said that the tour hopes to highlight individual artists in the growing city.
“It makes people feel a part of something – not that they just sleep here.” – Orlando Reyes
________
Tour guides listing the weekend’s events will be available at Grace Church Van Vorst at the Friday night kick-off party beginning at 6 p.m. and at the Journal Square and Grove Street PATH stations on Saturday and Sunday (see sidebar for highlights of the events). The Jersey City Reporter, a co-sponsor of the event, will include an insert that weekend.
“The guides walk you through the tour,” Feranec said. “It’s so easy. It’s like a self-guided tour, which is great because you can take it at your own pace. Whether it’s for the music, the performances, or the artwork, there’s something for everyone.”
This year’s tour even includes guided bike tours by the Jersey City bike rental shop Easy Riders.
The Jersey City Artists Studio Tour is presented in partnership by the Jersey City Division of Cultural Affairs, Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, The Jersey City Municipal Council, The Hudson Reporter newspapers, and The Jersey City Museum.
What to see
One highlight of this year’s tour is the exhibit “Masks of God,” an exploration of a higher deity showing at 58 Gallery, at 58 Coles St. Gallery founder Orlando Reyes said the exhibit was fitting in this day and age.
“The show deals with the different interpretations that we all have of the idea of God,” Reyes said. “And that is something that’s very poignant, and a very timely subject for what’s going on in the world right now.”
Reyes, who was born in Jersey City, was one of the original artists to participate in the tour and has seen it change over the past 20 years.
“There’s always been artists in Jersey City,” Reyes said. “Even in the ’70s, you’d see these people walking around in all black. But only recently has Jersey City created its own artist movement – separate from the New York City scene – which is something exciting that the tour brings out every year.”
Reyes said that the walking tour is a great way for people from all over the city to “mix” and form a stronger community.
“The city is growing,” Reyes said. “The people need to continue to connect with each other and the walking tour is a great way for people to come together. It makes people feel a part of something – not that they just sleep here.”
For more information on the Jersey City Artists’ Studio Tour visit www.proartsjerseycity.org.
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com
Some of the highlights…
150 Bay St. – “Exquisite Corpse,” curated by Tina Maneca, featuring 50 artists, at 150 Bay St. (201) 209-1022.
Morgen Industrial Center – “Raw Power: The Morgen Grand Mural” a mural featuring dozens of street artists from across the country, at 350 Warren St.
The Westin Hotel – Printmaker Tomomi Ono and other artists, at 479 Washington Blvd. (201) 626-2900.
Newport Mall – Eric Sophie’s group exhibition featuring over a dozen artists, at 30 Mall Dr. in the Sears’ wing. (201) 626-2025.
Lex Leonard Gallery – “Vital Voices” a group show featuring local artists, at 143 Christopher Columbus Drive. (201) 312-2522.
City Hall – Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a group show curated by Christina Soto, at 280 Grove St. (201) 547-5000.
LITM – Airbrush artist Ruler in a group show called “99 Ways to Die,” at 140 Newark Ave. (201) 536-5557.
Curious Matter – A group show called “NYKTOMORPH” curated by Raymond Mingst and Arthur Bruso, at 272 Fifth St. Visit curiousmatter.blogspot.com.
Art House Productions – A big group show called “inventionReinvention,” at 1 McGinley Sq. (201) 915-9911.