(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Mayor Steven M. Fulop joins Mana Contemporary to announce the premier kickoff event for the 32nd Annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST), featuring live artist demonstrations, immersive exhibitions, musical performances, and interactive experiences to launch the unparalleled four-day-long event celebrating Jersey City’s cultural diversity and vibrant arts community. The opening JCAST 2022 reception will be held this Thursday, September 29th, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at JCAST Headquarters in the Marion section of the City.
“For four days, JCAST brings the community together and welcomes visitors to not only explore our incredibly talented artists and arts organizations, but also to highlight the great revival of Jersey City as the region’s most dynamic destination for arts and culture,” said Mayor Fulop.
In addition to JCAST, the City’s multi-faceted approach to supporting local artists and arts programming includes the recent distribution of critical Arts and Culture Trust Fund grants to help local artists and arts organizations, as well as the historic announcements of restoring the iconic Loew’s Theatre and the Centre Pompidou’s first and only North American partnership exclusively located in the heart of Journal Square.
This Thursday, the free inaugural event - hosted in partnership with Mana Contemporary - welcomes the public to explore brand new art spaces at Canco Lofts along Dey Street, featuring our JCAST Community Galleries extending from Dey Street to Newark Avenue, including Canco Park and surrounding storefronts. Attendees can also enjoy food trucks, live DJs, and original artist merchandise for sale.
"Mana Contemporary has always had a firm belief that communities build the foundation on which creativity and innovation thrive. This is why we are proud to be a sponsor of JCAST 2022. This event has always shown what happens when the arts bridge the gap between communities and exposes the immense talent and culture that exists right here in Jersey City. This year's events are a continuation of Mana Contemporary’s commitment to supporting the City and the mayor's efforts to make Jersey City a cultural destination,” added Kele McComsey, Director of Mana Contemporary
Working alongside our community partners at the Canco Park Conservancy, Canco Lofts, Jersey City Free Public Library, and Community Awareness Series, Thursday’s event will feature fun for everyone, regardless of artistic expertise, including: WK Interact Blade Runner Installation, Interactive laser painting on Mana Contemporary, Japanese War Drum performance by Taiko Masakla, Additional music by Orquestar Lunar, June & the Pushas, and DJ Pastiche in Canco Park, Screen printing canvas bags for kids with Gary Lichtenstein Limited Editions, Community Art Galleries including Community Gallery East & West, Canco Loft Art Gallery, Jersey City "Teachers as Artists" Exhibition in Mana Contemporary Basement, Punk bands perform live in the Mana Contemporary Basement courtyard, Light installations by Artist Sunil Garg, Pop-up theater performances, Food and drink from Franklin Social, Ed and Mary’s, and ModCup Coffee, Live painting and interactive painting for kids with local artists, Jersey City Free Public Library pop-up, JCAST poster and t-shirt giveaways.
Following the September 29th launch party, the four-day festival is filled with captivating cultural experiences. Over 1,000 artists representing diverse mediums will be on display at more than 140 locations spanning the entire City.
This year’s citywide celebration has already reached record-breaking artist participation levels with free in-person experiences for everyone to enjoy, including the return of curated bus and walking tours, interactive events, live painting, kids activities, music and theatre performances, artist demonstrations, “hidden gem” galleries, and much more!
"The process of fine art printmaking is, by its nature, a collaborative one. It's always a pleasure to demonstrate the technique of silk screen printing, and it's even more rewarding when it can be a source of inspiration. Over the years, I've worked with numerous nonprofit organizations and community partners, and I'm delighted to be adding JCAST to the list!" said Gary Lichtenstein, a Local Artist, Master Printmaker, and Founder of Gary Lichtenstein Editions.
Discover JCAST artists by medium (murals, photography, ceramics, etc.) through our easy-to-search artist profiles on the JCAST website. Additionally, information stations will be easily accessible throughout the City, with locations listed here.
