"There are still so many heroes to thank," said Hoboken resident Cassidy Gurn as she placed flowers against the railing of Sinatra Park as the sun rose Friday morning. "Hoboken is right on the doorstep of downtown and I still think about it every day. I think everyone does. How can you not when we look at that massive void everyday out of our windows."
With those sentiments in mind, the city announced Thursday that Hoboken will hold a community art show titled "9-11, Remembering and Healing." The show will feature artwork submitted by Hoboken residents centered on the events of Sept. 11.
The show will open Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001 with a special evening reception, during which the members of the city's September 11th Fund Board of Trustees will be announced.
The board will oversee the process of raising funds and soliciting artistic proposals for a monument on Hoboken's waterfront that will honor Hoboken's victims and heroes of the tragedy.
The theme of the show, "9-11, Remembering and Healing," was chosen to emphasize that the exhibit is meant to be an opportunity for Hoboken residents to come together to express themselves, share in their grief, and offer inspiration to one another.
"Ever since the events of Sept. 11, I have heard and considered many of the ideas on how to do something meaningful that would help the community come together and express itself," said Mayor David Roberts Thursday. "When the idea for an art show came up, I thought it would be the perfect way to not only enable Hoboken residents to express themselves through art, but it would provide a venue for residents to gather, reflect, and heal."
Any Hoboken resident is welcome to contribute artwork to the show, and can include, but is not limited to, paintings, drawings, sculptures, poetry and other writings. In order to be displayed at the Nov. 20 opening, artwork must be submitted by Nov. 15. However, artwork is welcome to be submitted through the end of the show on Friday, Dec. 28, 2001.
The show will be held in a 40-foot by 40-foot space donated by Hoboken resident James Kocis in the Landmark Building at 1 Newark St. near the Hoboken waterfront. The exhibit will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon through 4 p.m., and Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. There will be no charge for admission.
On opening night, the September 11 Fund Board members will be announced. The board will consist of 11 members, including family members of people who lost their lives in the WTC, artistic advisors, and city officials. The board will oversee the process of reviewing artistic proposals, facilitating and organizing public feedback, and ultimately casting the deciding vote on the winning proposal, subject to review by an independent jury. Contributions will be accepted at the art show.
"I'm looking forward to announcing the members of the Hoboken September 11th fund," Mayor Roberts said. "We intend to build a world-class memorial on Hoboken's waterfront that will honor the memories of victims of the World Trade Center tragedy, and also pay tribute to all Hoboken residents who volunteered their time and skills on Sept. 11."
The city invites all interested Hoboken residents who lost loved ones as a result of Sept. 11 to contact Michael Estevez, Director of Public Affairs at 420-2222 to provide their contact information.
Any Hoboken resident interested in submitting any type of artwork for the community art show may contact Geri Fallo at 420-2207. Any resident who would like to contribute to the Hoboken September 11th Fund for the memorial should make checks or money orders payable to "The Hoboken September 11th Fund, Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St., NJ 07030, Attention: Suzanne Hetman."