From displacement to movement
"JC Fridays" came about in response to the closing of the artists' live/work lofts at 111 First St. in Jersey City. Many art leaders in town discussed how they could build up an audience for art and find a place for the displaced artists. Some of the groups at the first meeting included: Art House Productions, Jersey City Museum, Pro Arts, Victory Hall, Grace Church, Gallery 58, MANA Fine Arts, and others.
The response from the community has been great. With each new JC Friday, the event has spread to new venues and gained a bigger audience. The summer event brought over 800 people to the art scene, which is up from the 500 people who attended in the spring.
Because of the overwhelming response, it has been officially determined to hold JC Fridays four times a year, at the change of every season.
JC Fridays has a steering committee who organizes the day which includes: Paul Sullivan (Pro Arts), Ev Stone (MANA Fine Arts), Garth Kobal (Grace Church), and Christine Goodman and Jack Halpin (Art House Productions).
According to Kobal, there are lots of exciting things to see this time including a fashion show and a public soapbox where people can discuss their views. There will be maps along the route so people can sample many of the activities.
"You might not be able to get to 27 events, but you could get to 10," said Kobal. "It's a great way to meet the community. Invite a couple of friends and make a tour of it."
What you'll see, some highlights
On Friday, the event starts at 8 a.m. and goes until 2 a.m. In addition to the 27 events, there are family specific performances and discounts on the day from local businesses. (For complete list of times and events, see sidebar.)
Attic Ensemble presents: an evening of cabaret music at the Barrow Mansion featuring some of Hudson County's stellar vocalists.
Art House Productions presents: "theatreTHEATRE - An Absolutely Amazing Night of Short Plays That Will Change Your Life and Blow Your Mind." There are two performances for this event, one is a family version and the later show is for adults.
Breher Brothers building presents a 24-hour drive-by exhibit by E. Jan Kounitz.
Brunswick Window presents new paintings by Loser, "Puzzle Pieces from Dead Streets and Famous Fiends."
City Hall presents "City Without Walls: 24th Annual Metro Show" in the John Meagher Rotunda Gallery. This exhibit is from a Newark-based organization, which is participating for the first time.
Cooke Contemporary Gallery presents a sound section to accompany Roger Sayre's "Thrown Upon the Wall: Shadows on Scrim," a kinetic light and shadow piece that can be viewed after dark.
Eye4One Studios at Fetch-It presents a digital menagerie by local artist Thaddius Novack.
Gallery 58 presents a wine and cheese reception for New American Gothic, featuring work by Alec Strasser.
Grace Church presents the closing party for the Cathedral Arts Festival. It will be a night of dance, music, & more!
Janam Tea presents a night of short films by local filmmakers.
Lex Leonard Gallery presents "Urban Spoken Word Showcase" featuring some of Jersey City's best poets.
LITM presents an opening reception for artist Amy Chaiklin.
MANA Fine Arts presents "What Have U Got 2 Say? 2006 - Soapbox Declarations." This political exhibit includes a public forum where guest can make a public statement that will become part of the video section of this exhibit.
World of Style Vintage presents a fashion show in the store window featuring retro styles from the 50s and 60s.
The sponsors
The free events presented throughout the city were made possible by support from the following: Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, The Jersey City Municipal Council and Division of Cultural Affairs, The Jersey City Reporter, The Jersey City Magazine, Historic Downtown SID, and Art House Productions.
This program was made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, which was administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Local business supporters include: Bar Majestic, Grace Church Van Vorst, LIFE, World of Style Vintage, and Ria's Café. Friends include: Nobis Gallery, OASIS Juice Bar, MANA Fine Arts, Sam Pesin (in honor of Liberty State Park's 30th birthday), and Experience Life Spa. For more information on the event please visit: www.jcfridays.com.
JC FRIDAYS (by time frame)
John Meager Rotundu Gallery, 280 Grove St., art, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Ria's Cafe, 24 Mercer St., art, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Sound Start, 85 Wayne St., music & demo, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Eye4One Studios at Fetch-It, 228 7th St., photography, 12 to 8 p.m.
Grigory Gurevich Studio Gallery, 282 Barrow St., art & demo, 12 to 9 p.m.
LIFE, 112 Morris St., art, 12 to 10 p.m.
The Daylight Gallery, 281 Grove St., art, music, & performance, 3 to 9 p.m.
Maximillian Boutique, 107 Columbus Dr., performance, 5 to 7 p.m.
PRONTO CENA, 87 Sussex St., art, music, & performance, 5 to 10 p.m.
Grace Church, 39 Erie St., performance, 6 to 7 p.m.
Erie Gallery, 18 Erie St., art, 6 to 8 p.m.
MANA Fine Arts, 227 Coles St., art & performance, 6 to 9 p.m.
LITM, 140 Newark Ave., art, 6 to 9 p.m.
Allura Gallery, 324 First St. (loft 2), art, film, & performance, 6 to 9 p.m.
RockSoup Studios, 660 Grand St., art, 6 p.m. to ?
Art House Productions, 364 Grove St., play, 7 to 10 p.m.
World of Style, 172 Newark Ave., performance, 7 to 9 p.m.
Gallery 58, 58 Coles St., art & wine reception, 7 to 9 p.m.
Nobis Gallery, 58 Coles St., art, 7 to 10 p.m.
Residue Gallery, 107 Brunswick St., art & performance, 7 to 11 p.m.
Janam Tea, 353 Grove St., films, 7 to 11 p.m.
Attic Ensemble, 83 Wayne St., musical performance, 8 to 10 p.m.
Cooke Contemporary Gallery, 125 First St., art & music, 8 to 11 p.m.
Lex Leonard Gallery, 143 Columbus Dr., performance, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Breher Brothers building, 357 Palisades Ave., outdoor art, all hours
Brunswick Window, 158 Brunswick St., outdoor art, all hours
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