Count me among the disappointed when the organizers postponed “Art All Night” 2023 earlier in the summer. The annual show was an absolute highlight and celebration of the arts and the arts community in Trenton. You know how you go to your favorite ice cream place, and they are out of your favorite flavor? It's slightly disappointing, but then you try a new flavor, and it's amazing.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture at "Art All Day" on September 16th in Trenton, New Jersey! As you step into "Art All Day", you'll be greeted by the pulse of creativity that resonates throughout Trenton's streets. This annual event promises an exhilarating journey through the city's diverse artistic landscape, showcasing the talents of local and regional artists across a spectrum of mediums. The event will feature an eclectic mix of studio tours, live painting, music, a film festival, and connections to the River Days Festival in South Riverwalk Park.
Trenton Artist Laura Beard spoke to us about how special it is to participate in “Art All Day.”
“I love to show off my works and have a chat with the community at ‘Art All Day.’ We connect over animals and art. It’s a really great event and I very much enjoy it. I usually work from photographs of animals. Early on I got many of them from the internet and used them with attribution. I’ve started using my own photographs now. My newest pieces are compilations of multiple photographs of a single type of animal and put them together either as a single piece where the animal looks complete or, most recently, collaging different aspects of the animal in one location to create an abstracted version. I’m currently working on a piece focused on the male pheasant; they have gorgeous patterned feathers in autumnal colors. It’s like a mosaic of the colors and textures of the bird, but I maintain enough detail, like the face, to let the viewer know what kind of bird it is.
Trenton Artist Laura Beard
Beard goes on to say, “The meet and greet, especially while I’m working on a piece allows me to talk to people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. While I’m working, it allows me to focus on them. It’s part of how I function as an ADHD adult; having something to focus on, as well as interacting with people, is much easier for me to do.”
Trenton filmmaker Anthony Catanese, also known as Tony Googles of DI Why? Films, discussed the newest addition to the “Art All Day” lineup: a film festival to be held at the Passage Theater just steps away from Artworks' HQ on Everett Alley.
"When the ‘Art All Night’ (AAN) Film Festival didn't happen, I let all the filmmakers know that ‘Art All Day’ would feature some of them," says Catanese. “AAN had about 3000 entries; I had to narrow those down to about 90 films to fit the format. 90 movies from around the world, all shorts no longer than 15 minutes. People can come and go as they please; you won't miss the rest of "Art All Day’. You can stop in, rest your feet, and watch some great art. This is the very first film festival at AAN. Hopefully, it continues to grow. Filmmaking is very much an art form that uses everything; color, sound, movement, every form of art goes into filmmaking. I have my own production company, and we make all our movies and music videos right here in Trenton. I love it."
Bentrice Jusu, the Trenton-based multimedia artist, community leader, teacher, mentor, and more, who created "The Potential Project: 21 Stories of Trenton," has a studio space in Artworks and will open her studio for tours.
Bentrice Jusu, in her Trenton art studio. Photo by Chris Lillja
"Usually, my door is closed," says Jusu. "It's just part of my process, not wanting to expose people to the stuff that I'm working on. But there's something about this community, this particular Trenton community, that makes you want to share. This is an opportunity to do just that. It can take me years to finish a work, be it a poem or some other work in progress like clothing or some more abstract piece. It's wonderful to see people engaged in art, and it's wonderful to see people excited to check out my art. I've been here three years and experienced one other "Art All Day"; it inspires people to delve into their own artistry. I'm also a teacher. I believe everybody is an artist, and by welcoming them into this space, they get a chance to see more than one way to express themselves and maybe find that 'AH HA' moment. It's a playground of potential discovery that may help them find their own medium." Jusu also serves the greater Trenton community as a Trenton Firefighter.
"It's not like there are two spaces I enter into. Over here, I'm a firefighter; over here, I'm an artist. I've been asked to do a few murals on the firehouses. The spaces always comingled. To be of service, that, to me, is what artistry is. It is to serve the things that you are gifted by God, and it's to pull that out of other people and celebrate it. Trenton is a melting pot of beauty."
Artworks' Artistic Director Addison Vincent Pfeiffer, in his role as Gallery/Artistic Director, selects and coordinates the exhibitions in the Artworks Trenton galleries, including gallery programming at the annual “Art All Night” and "Art All Day" events.
"The whole point of ‘Art All Day’ is to explore the arts in Trenton," said Pfeiffer. "It's a great opportunity for patrons to 'make the day' themselves. Artworks is the 'base camp,' the hub, and you venture out from here. For first-time patrons, it's an eye-opening experience. This year we will have 28 artists in 15 locations throughout the city. There are bus tours, bike tours, and 'the world's greatest walking tour' all of which are guided. There will be demonstrations, muralists, a taste of everything. But just a taste of each on the tours. We also encourage people to grab a map and go exploring on their own, and they can spend all the time they like at a specific location. Most events are within walking distance from here. Try taking the early tour and go back to your favorites! There's so much to do. We will have live music all day right outside here on the county stage. We partnered again with the Stony Brook Watershed's River Days Festival over on South River Walk, and there will be a trolley running back and forth every half-hour between Artworks and the festival. Their event is 11 am to 3 pm – we are 12 Noon to 6 pm, so there is plenty of time to experience both events."
"Art All Day" Trenton 2023, is more than just an event; it's a testament to the city's resilience, creativity, and commitment to fostering a thriving arts community. Wander through open galleries and pop-up exhibits that offer a unique glimpse into the minds of Trenton's finest artists. From thought-provoking paintings and sculptures to music and film, you'll witness a kaleidoscope of artistic expressions that reflects the cultural diversity and vibrancy of the city. Mark your calendars, invite friends and family, and prepare to be inspired!
Trenton, NJ | September 16, 2023 | 12 pm - 6 pm
