(PRINCETON, NJ) -- ArtJam is back! Once again, HomeFront’s ArtJam, a fun and funky pop up art gallery, will feature professional artists, undiscovered artists who have experienced homelessness, and the community at large in a celebration of creativity. It all starts Friday, April 13, when a storefront on Palmer Square in Princeton will be transformed into a display of talent. Now in its ninth year, ArtJam has grown to over 100 participating artists, including Judith Brodsky, Jon Sarkin and Cynthia Groya. Works from these well-known artists will be displayed alongside the works of HomeFront clients who have limited means but enormous talents.
“If you visit, you can feel good twice,” says Ruthann Traylor, Director of ArtSpace/SewingSpace. “You can buy art you’ll love, and you can feel good that the money you spend is going to a cause you can believe in—helping homeless families get back on their feet.” ArtJam benefits ArtSpace, HomeFront’s innovative therapeutic art program.
Sharon A. is one of the HomeFront client artists whose works will be featured at ArtJam. Two years ago, Sharon’s life changed instantly: she was struck with four aneurysms while shopping. She slipped into a coma, lost her job and was evicted from her apartment. Sharon found HomeFront, which gave her a fresh start and put her on the path to self-sufficiency. During her time with HomeFront, Sharon found her creative voice and developed her painting skills in ArtSpace. She has produced over 30 paintings to wide acclaim; many of her beautiful works have been featured in gallery exhibits around the state and have been purchased by individuals and local businesses.
The pop-up gallery will feature a rotating collection of art for sale and meet-and-greets with the artists. A wide variety of unique creations will be displayed, including paintings, pottery, glassworks, jewelry, and hand-sewn items from SewingSpace, another HomeFront art program. Visitors can shop for one-of-a-kind pieces while helping aspiring artists with each purchase.
The ArtJam opening reception on Friday, April 13 is open to the public from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at 19 Hulfish Street, Palmer Square in Princeton. For a full calendar of ArtJam events, visit: https://www.homefrontnj.org/artjam/
Gallery hours are Monday through Wednesday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm; Thursday and Friday, 10:00am to 8:30pm; Saturday, 10:00am to 8:30pm; and Sunday, 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The gallery is open from Friday, April 13 to Sunday, April 29.
Since its founding 27 years ago, HomeFront has worked to end family homelessness in Central New Jersey by breaking the cycle of poverty through the provision of shelter, skills for a self-sustaining life and hope. HomeFront has developed a sophisticated network of supportive housing and social services for very low-income households who are either homeless or at high risk of becoming so.
ArtSpace often opens doors to new ways of thinking for HomeFront clients, fostering their creativity, self-esteem, and confidence, and helping to set them on a path to achieve independence. The artists learn to reveal their voice and feel joy in their accomplishments. Paired with training in art is teaching of entrepreneurial skills, empowering the artists to see value in their work as it is admired and purchased by others. ArtJam is one such venue for them to exhibit and sell their work.
