(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art Fair 14C will hold a closing reception for Artist in Residence: Jonté Drew "Take a Breath" on Friday, March 4th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Pro Arts Gallery (150 Bay Street) in Jersey City, NJ during JC Fridays. The entrance located on the corner of 1st and Provost Streets - 2nd Floor.

Jonté Drew is a visual artist from Paterson, New Jersey. He attended William Paterson University, where he received both a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2018 and a Master of Fine Arts in 2021.

Art Fair 14C launched its residency for a recent MFA graduate July 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021. The chosen artist is awarded a 400 sq ft artist’s studio at Art 150 in Jersey City, NJ and $1,000 for art supplies. The artist is also given the opportunity to exhibit their work at Art 150 and at Art Fair 14C. Jonté Drew is the recipient of the inaugural MFA graduate residency.

Jonté’s style is one that utilizes humor to investigate the shared experiences of African Americans in America, the commodification of urban culture and the conversations surrounding mental health. His paintings and drawings often feature himself and other Black individuals in the midst of colorful and idealized environments. In addition, he emphasizes the humanity of his subjects by placing them in various scenes of leisure and domesticity in their plight of finding serenity and joy, while challenging the critical portrayal of masculinity and physicality as it relates to the perception of Black men.

“For my MFA thesis project, In Green Pastures, I began to unpack the feeling of otherness that I carried from my childhood into adulthood. Growing up as an inner city child in a predominantly African American community, I quickly became subject to hypermasculinity and society's perceptions on what it meant to be a “real man.” I felt pressured to navigate through my surroundings as a false version of myself just to fit in. As a coping mechanism, I created my own world that serves as a place where I can be myself, without judgement. The title is inspired by Psalm 23, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” The green pastures represent the protection and peace that God provides to His people.”

“We had an exceptionally strong group of artists apply for this residency, and we are so thrilled that Jonté Drew has been able to thrive in this program, producing a wonderful series of paintings as well as showing with success at the recent 3rd Edition of Art Fair 14C at Mana Contemporary,” said Robinson Holloway, Art Fair 14C’s Executive Director.

The name Art Fair 14C is a wink to the “what exit?” joke about New Jersey, but they take our Jersey-centric mission seriously.  They work to strengthen and support artists and arts organizations and businesses, particularly in our home state. Although the annual art fair in Jersey City in November is the centerpiece, their mission to support the visual arts and artists continues year round.