Ramos, who is a musician, actor, and promoter (not necessarily in that order), is hoping to revive the arts scene in Hoboken.
His latest venture is as curator for the show "The Sum of All Parts" at the Monroe Center for the Arts this Sunday, April 13 from noon to 5 p.m. as part of the "Open Studio Day."
The special exhibition, which is presented by Fortoul Presents, will include art, music, and film and includes the work of several area artists including: Isaac Fortoul (co-founder of Fortoul Presents), Heather Gargon, Bobby Castaneda, Gabriel Fortoul, and others.
The Fortoul brothers gained notice for helping to create an arts scene in Arizona and recently returned to their home in Union City.
"It took me one glance at them [Fortoul Presents] to know that they knew it was more than just talent," said Ramos about the Fortoul brothers. "They are off the hook."
One man's vision
Ramos, who has lived in Hoboken for three years and grew up in Teaneck, said that he wants to help rebuild the arts scene in Hoboken.
During the past seven months, he has gotten closer to that dream with many coordinated events throughout the county.
In November, he organized the "Harvest for the Homeless" at Symposia Bookstore. In December, he acted in the annual "A Christmas Carol" at DeBaun, and in March he hosted the "Hudson County Art Slam" in Jersey City, which was part of the successful "JC Fridays" event that is organized by Christine Goodman, director of Art House Productions.
"They are all related to what I am doing to bring it to Hoboken," said Ramos about his many events. "I feel like people are yearning for it."
Part of his success is due to the people who he has surrounded himself with. For many years, Ramos organized events in Jersey City at City Hall and the surrounding downtown area. He has also worked on a variety of Art House Production events.
For the Hudson County Art Slam, well-known local musician Dave Calamoneri played and presented art. "It was wildly successful," said Ramos about the Slam. "We had over 250 people."
Ramos attributes his love of the arts to his parents, who work in Union City. His father is a physician and his mother is a teacher.
"This is what I am doing. I am doing it because I love art," said Ramos.
One day only
The exhibit, which opens this Sunday, is only for one day. Ramos said the show will have a lot of appeal due to the variety of the show.
"We're going to have three visual artists, a DJ booth, baked goods and two projections on the walls," said Ramos. "It's really interesting. One of the artists made dolls - a couple are sloths. That same artist [Heather Gargon] wrote a children's book."
He said that one of the screens will show the process of making art.
Roxana Marroquin, a local writer and co-director of La Ola Org. helped Ramos with the artists for the show, giving him a list of local talent, he said.
In addition to the visual artists, there will be music by 2 Hungry Brothers, film work by Jose Luis Falconi and Jessica Gonzalez, and fashion by Fortoul Presents.
Ramos, who formerly worked at Monroe Arts Center in 2006, is hosting the free event in Studio E304.
While Ramos keeps busy with his many different hats, he says that he doesn't know what he prefers - promoting or performance.
"The lines are so blurred. I have no clue anymore," said Ramos. "It has to be organic. I'm up for adversity, but I'm not seeking it out. It has to be natural."
In addition to his many events, he hopes to release an album in a few months.
Yet whatever he is doing, he said it has to interest him on many levels.
"It has to excite my intellect," said Ramos. "What I see myself doing in the future is cultural, artistic events."
The Monroe Center for the Arts is located at 720 Monroe St. in Hoboken. The Open Studio Day will be held on Sunday, April 13 from noon to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (201) 795-5000. For more information about Ramos' events, visit: 4thandJackson.blogspot.com. Comments on this story can be sent to: Current@hudsonreporter.com.
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