For the third year in a row, residents of Hudson County and beyond are invited to gather in Union City and to celebrate art that is homegrown in their own backyards.
What began as the pet project of a few local artists has now turned into a month-long series of citywide events to promote the arts in the city, with literally a different event occurring every day.
“Celebrate Art Month” brings a little bit of everything the arts has to offer to the community – fine art, photography, a short film festival, and concerts, just to name a few.
Admission to all the events is free, senior citizen transportation will be provided to most events one hour prior to event start time, and everyone is welcome to attend. (See sidebar for a full listing of events.)
‘We want to do stuff for the community, and we want to look after the artists.’ – Commissioner Lucio Fernandez
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“If you have art in the street, then you have a lot less crime,” said Fernandez last week. “That’s the premise.”
Although he’s now a prominent politician, Fernandez said that his desire to help foster the arts in his community was a personal endeavor long before he took office.
“I live in Union City,” he said. “I got tired of people thinking that Union City is the armpit of the county. I wanted to change that image.”
Fernandez said that people often take local artists for granted, adding that if they see an artist in Union City as opposed to New York City, they tend to think less of the artist and the work.
Celebrate Art Month was created to change that notion.
‘Free for all’
The month-long celebration kicked off on Sept. 1 with an art exhibit featuring artist Hugo Juarez and photographer Craig Radhuber at City Hall.
For the past two weeks, the city has been abuzz with a different event every day – ranging from a book release to a film premiere.
And there is still half a month to go, with various dance groups performing on Sept. 15 and world-class musicians presenting classical violin and piano music on Sept. 17.
The biggest event of the celebration is expected to be The Union City Arts, Crafts, and Music Festival on Oct. 2, which features artists, crafters, informational booths, food from various nationalities, rides for children, and live performances.
What makes the festival in Union City unique from similar ones that occur in neighboring communities throughout the year is that the entire event is free for everyone – including the exhibitors.
In its three-year history, there have been no booth fees at the festival for those who want to display and sell their items.
Fernandez said the decision to keep costs out of the equation was made with artists and crafters in mind.
“$75 to artists is a lot of money,” said Fernandez. “If you showcase your art and people don’t buy anything, that could mean you don’t eat for a week. We want to do stuff for the community, and we want to look after the artists.”
Recognition and community
Celebrate Art Month will officially close with the NoHu Short Film Festival Awards and Artists Recognition on the evening of Oct 2.
All of the artists who participated in the month-long celebrations will be present; in addition to the community meeting the artists, it will also provide the artists with a chance to meet and chat with each other.
“Sometimes the [artistic] mediums don’t cross,” said Fernandez. “This is an opportunity for everyone to get together and to really give them all recognition for their work. They’ve dedicated their lives to this; if we can recognize them in a little way, that speaks volumes for all of us in terms of caring for each other.”
Fernandez is hoping the recognition will inspire the artists far beyond just one fair or one event, but instead create a lifestyle and help build friendships.
For more information, contact the Union City Office of Public Affairs at (201) 348-5746 or visit www.UCNJ.com or www.UnionCityPAC.com.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com. Celebrate Art Events Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.
Velada Artistica in conjunction with
Cafradia Arquidiocesana de la Caridad Del Cobre
Union City Performing Arts Center
2500 Kennedy Blvd.
Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.
Artists Remembering 9/11
Artists gather to paint and exhibit art in remembrance
Liberty Plaza
30th Street between Palisade and New York avenues
Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Union City Artist Collective Traveling Art Exhibit
Featuring live music
3315 Pleasant Ave.
Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.
Film: “How to Create a Rumba” by Ivan Acosta
Union City Performing Arts Center
2500 Kennedy Blvd.
Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.
Celebrate Dance: A dance concert
Ellsworth Park
New York Avenue and 23rd Street
Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.
Keyboard Cathy in Concert
Union City Art Gallery at City Hall
3715 Palisade Ave.
Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.
Eric Grossman and Lida Mancheva Lopez
Classical music concert
Union City Performing Arts Center
2500 Kennedy Blvd.
Sept. 18 at 12 p.m.
William Tylee Ranney
Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony
Featuring live music
1215 Palisade Ave.
Sept. 18 from 12 to 5 p.m.
Washington Park Centennial Celebration
Music, Art, Poetry
Washington Park
New York Avenue and Paterson Plank Road
Sept. 19 from 11 a.m.to 7 p.m.
Holy Family Church International Festival
Live music and food kiosks
Central Avenue and 35th Street
Sept. 21 at7 p.m.
Film: “Candido Hands of Fire” by Ivan Acosta
Union City Performing Arts Center
2500 Kennedy Blvd.
Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.
Angela Yurchenko in concert
Union City Art Gallery at City Hall
3715 Palisade Ave.
Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
“Vintage & Wearable Art”
Fashion Show and Fiber Art Exhibition
ArtsEcho Galeria
3809 Park Ave.
Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.
“Super Spectacular! With Merril Garrick & Emmet”
The Donovan Ensemble
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Palisade Avenue and 16th Street
Sept. 25 at 12 p.m.
William Joseph Peter
Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony
Featuring live music
Hudson Avenue and Peter Street
(between 33rd and 34th streets)
Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.
Juan Carlos Escudero in Concert
Classical music on piano
Union City Performing Arts Center
2500 Kennedy Blvd.
Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.
“A Day to Play”
The Donovan Ensemble
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Palisade Avenue and 16th Street
Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.
Film: “Amigos” by Ivan Acosta
Union City Performing Arts Center
2500 Kennedy Blvd.
Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.
3rd Annual NoHu Short Film Festival
Jose Marti Freshman Academy
1800 Summit Ave.
Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
Poetry Slam
Art Gallery at City Hall
3715 Palisade Ave.
Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
Art Exhibit
Featuring artists from Hudson County
Qvaba Gallery
508 42nd St.
Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Union City Art, Crafts, and Music Festival
Ellsworth Park
New York Avenue and 23rd Street
Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.
3rd Annual NoHu Short Film Festival Awards and Artists Recognition
Jose Marti Freshman Academy
1800 Summit Ave.
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