(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center (Olga Levina, Executive Director) hosts a gallery art exhibition opening and short documentary film screening of "A Vision of Hope" directed by Duda Penteado and produced by Unshakeable Productions featuring the work of 2023 Jersey City Summer Youth Mural Arts Program participants on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 6:00pm to 9:30pm at  JCTC, 165 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ (Entrance from Barrow St.)

"A Vision of Hope " JC - Youth Summer Mural Arts Program 2023“ in partnership with Jersey City Juvenile Bureau is a visual inspiration of hope amongst the youth and the juvenile justice system. The mural illustrates a series of emotional narratives filled with obstacles and change but most importantly, the chance to choose our own destiny. Through vivid strokes, this mural portrays the path from struggle to transformation, igniting a beacon of hope for all. Hope is a promise.

"It is with great anticipation that we eagerly await the return of the young artists to Jersey City Theater Center, remarked Olga Levina,” JCTC Executive Director. “They are not just the future, but also the hope for our global community, not only in the arts but in every aspect of our ever-changing world. As they step into the spotlight, I hope they always remember that we united as a diverse community to welcome and support their creativity.”

The Jersey City Summer Youth Mural Arts Program is presented by the Jersey City Mural Arts Program (JCMAP), part of the Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs. This hands-on, intensive muralist workshop for young artists is led by fine artist and filmmaker Duda Penteado and fine artist and muralist Catherine Hart, both from Jersey City. Thirty art students ages 13 to 25 participated in 2023's six-week program and worked on a large mural receiving  instruction on public art techniques, concept development, surface preparation, design enlargement, paint application, and preservation of outdoor art. The program also instills in students a comprehensive work ethic that is essential to a future career as professional artists and is meant to inspire dialogue within the community of Jersey City.

2023 art students participants are as follows; Emily Adams, Sky Alvarado, Coda Camaya, Yanise Edmond, Rakeelah Gardner,  Barbara Gochis, Henry Goudreau, Jennifer  Martinez, William Kunga, Amina Masum, Shreya  Modi, Hiraeth Obando,  Diana Olivio, June Paget, Weiling Pan, Camila Quintero, Renee Ramos, Navdeep Sanghera,  Zhania Scull, Isha Sidibay, Kate Smigie,  Maximillian Williams, Zinnia Wu.

2023 UNSHAKEABLE PRODUCTIONS (photo/video)grapher student crew: Sariah Olivera, Emily Marieada, Xavier Aniello, Coda Camaya.

The program team includes Brooke Hansson, Director, Jersey City Mural Arts Program; Duda Penteado, Fine Artist & Filmmaker and Lead Art Instructor, Jersey City Youth Summer Public Art Program; Catherine Hart, Fine Artist & Muralist and Lead Art Instructor, Jersey City Youth Summer Public Art Program; Maya Sanders, JCMAP Coordinator, Frank Gadson, Artist and Project Coordinator Jersey City Youth Summer Public Art Program; and Ria Monga, Artist and Junior Project Coordinator, Jersey City Youth Summer Public Art Program, Imani Anighoro, Artist and Junior Project Coordinator, Jersey City Youth Summer Public Art Program.

The mission of the Jersey City Mural Arts Program is to activate and inspire through public art. ( JCMAP ) is a Mayor Fulop's initiative created in 2013 as part of the city's anti-graffiti efforts which has so far resulted in over 200 large-scale murals painted throughout the city by a mix of local, national and international artists.

Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organization committed to inspiring conversations about important issues of our times through the arts. Co-founded by Executive Producer Olga Levina, an immigrant from Belarus, Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) produces and presents universal yet locally relevant works, emphasizing social justice and human rights.  Since 2006, JCTC has provided a platform for all artistic voices to be heard in Jersey City, with the aim of sparking meaningful cross-cultural dialogue that helps build a greater understanding, mutual respect and better communities in New Jersey.

Programming made possible by numerous supporters, including the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Hudson County, the City of Jersey City, and the Office of Cultural Affairs. For those who are interested in attending any of the performances, sponsoring any of the upcoming productions, or purchasing tickets for large groups, please email [email protected].