It’s time again for The Hoboken Artists Studio Tour, which takes place this Sunday, Oct. 15 from 12 to 6 p.m. The 25th anniversary tour is presented by Mayor David Roberts, the city of Hoboken, the Hoboken Reporter and the Monroe Center for the Arts.
In 25 years, the tour has grown to embrace artists in many genres. It has grown from 15 artists (in 1981) to the tour today, which has over 100 artists and over 25 different venues. (Please see the Studio Tour insert in this issue for a complete list of artists and venues.) This self-guided tour allows visitors to see artists in their private studio or at one of the larger group shows. Here’s a glimpse at a few of Hoboken’s finest:
Night scenes of Hoboken
Photographer Jason T. Jaskot will display his work at Monroe Center for the Arts in his private studio, C403A. Jaskot has worked as a photographer for six years and has exhibited for 3 years at Monroe. Jaskot is a professional photographer, who has worked with various ad agencies in addition to magazine work.
“I started doing modeling portfolios and then moved into women’s fitness magazines,” said Jaskot.
Several of his clients have been local Hoboken residents, including, Club KO and Haywire agency. Jaskot’s pictures have been featured in many fitness magazines including, Best Body, Exercise for Men, and Men’s Exercise.
He strives to get natural looking shots of his clients for lifestyle or portfolio pictures and succeeds. His portfolio shots all have clean lines, showing them in the best possible light. “What I try to give to clients is a picture they can show through the ages,” said Jaskot. “I want to do right by them.”
In addition to his professional work, Jaskot has added to his already large body of work with his night series of Hoboken. The visually stunning views show areas of Hoboken that might not have caught your eye. The pictures have a timeless quality and have brilliant hues of color.
He began the series three years ago and only uses film, not digital prints to capture a shot. A few pictures feature a glimpse of Observer Highway that is lit by the streetlamps. Another features the fabulous skyline view that Hoboken residents can enjoy every night.
His work can be viewed from 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Monroe Center for the Arts, 720 Monroe St. (studio C403A). Also showing in his studio is artist Shavaun Pizar.
For more information, call (973) 442-0302 or visit: www.JTphoto.com.
Impressions of the Mile Square
Painter Bill Curran has called Hoboken home for 23 years and has exhibited work for the past five years in the Studio Tour. He works in many different mediums including: acrylic, oil, watercolor, and pastels. According to Curran, he doesn’t have a preference for one or the other.
“It’s kind of what the circumstances call for,” said Curran, “I don’t really have a favorite. I use whatever speaks to me in the moment.”
Curran has exhibited work locally at the Hoboken Library, the Hoboken Historical Museum and at Barnes & Noble and also in Manhattan.
Currently, Curran has focused on painting gardens and flowers, much in the way that the Impressionist painters did. He was inspired by the paintings of Monet, Monet and others.
He paints in the “plein-air” style. “I set up an easel outside,” said Curran, “it’s what the Impressionists did.”
He hopes that when people view his work they will notice something new. “I hope to help people see the beauty around them,” said Curran.
Curran will open his private studio located at 100 Bloomfield St., (Apt. 1), on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 12 to 6 p.m. He may be contacted by calling: (201) 792-9711 or by visiting his website: www.billcurran.net.
City scenes
Painter Frank Hanavan will exhibit work at Fast Frame, 1114 Washington St., in Hoboken. Hanavan has painted professionally for most of his life and is well-known for his colorful city scenes of Hoboken. Hanavan paints realistic street scenes that are easily identifiable to locals. He works primarily with acrylic paint. “Art has less to do with tools,” said Hanavan, “but how you use them.”
Hanavan works from life when he paints and said that it can take approximately four days to finish a painting. In addition to his many shows, his work is part of the permanent collection at the Hoboken Historical Museum. Many of the images of Hoboken look like an ideal image of the city like: the morning sun on a brownstone, the light reflecting through the trees, or the late afternoon glow in an outdoor café.
According to Hanavan, his style and approach to the work has not changed. Yet his later work does show more detail with the light in the pictures balanced by the contrasting darks.
“I want [viewers] to recognize something in the painting,” said Hanavan. “I want it to evoke something pleasant – a pleasant memory or thought.”
Hanavan’s work will be shown at Fast Frame on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 12 to 6 p.m.
Group exhibits
There are many other private studios open on the day of the tour, plus group exhibits at select locations throughout the city. A few of the larger exhibits will be held at: City Hall, The Neumann Leather Building, The Hoboken Historical Museum, DeBaun Auditorium, and the Monroe Center for the Arts.
City Hall will host 23 artists in the historic public building, including the exhibit by hob’art, “In Touch with Art,” which features multi-dimensional work that was primarily designed to enable the visually impaired to experience art through touch.
DeBaun is presenting work from 15 different artists, including artists that were at last year’s exhibit.
Monroe Center for The Arts will display work from over 50 artists and will have performances throughout the day. Mayor David Roberts will also give a proclamation at 12:30 p.m. at Monroe Center in honor of the original artists that started the tour 25-years ago.
The artists at the Neumann Leather Building will open their studios to the public and have events during the day.
The Hoboken Historical Museum will display the “Kids Map of Hoboken.”
Many of Hoboken’s restaurants and businesses will display work from local artisans. For more information or directions please call: (201) 420-2207, or visit: www.hobokennj.org.