works by Lisa Ficarelli-Halpern, Andrea McKenna, and Josephine Barreiro

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Pro Arts Jersey City presents Stepping Up 2 - a Pro Arts Volunteer Exhibition weekends from February 8 - March 7, 2025 in the Art150 Gallery. The exhibition is curated by Alexandra Alvarez and showcases works by Pro Arts volunteers.

Participating artists include: Isabelle Duverger, Kevin McCaffrey, Sean Burns, Deborah Pohl, Lisa Ficarelli-Halpern, Lucy Rovetto, Frank Ippolito, Cynthia Egle-Grant, Brad Terhune, J Steven Patton, Nanette Reynolds Beachner, Josephine Barreiro, Laurie Pettine, Kimberley Wiseman, Alvin Eric Quinones, Teri Fiore, Andrea Kroenig, and Lucas Barraza.

There will be an Opening Reception on Saturday, February 8th from 1:00pm-4:00pm and a Closing Reception on March 7th from 5:00pm-9:00pm during JC Fridays. ART150 Gallery is located at 157A  First Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. The gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00pm-4:00pm.  The entrance is on the corner of Provost & 1st. Gallery is wheelchair accessible. 

Curator Alexandra Álvarez is an artist and entrepreneur who has lived in the United States for the past 10 years. Between New York and Jersey City, she navigates between two worlds, curating and producing art events that aim to connect people through art. Her work is characterized by the fusion of graphic and psychological elements, creating a powerful and deeply meaningful discourse. For Alexandra, art is a means of exploration and the search for answers, and her main source of inspiration is her daughter.

As a curator, she has organized exhibitions in New York, New Jersey, and Bogotá, Colombia. In addition, she has curated spaces at major international art fairs, such as the Hamptons Art Market, Spectrum Art Fair during Miami Art Week, and Art Fair 14C, in which she has participated in two editions.

As an artist, Alexandra’s works have been exhibited in Venezuela and various cities around the world, including Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Jersey City, Pennsylvania, Portland, San Francisco, Miami, Italy, Bogotá, and New York. Her artistic universe is filled with cultural and personal references: from the vibrant colors of her native Caribbean to the mysticism and indigenous cosmology, as well as her experiences as a woman, mother, and immigrant. Additionally, her passion for philosophy, psychology, and the study of humanity are constant sources of inspiration in her work.

Beyond her individual practice, Alexandra is passionately dedicated to supporting fellow artists through her business, Guaicora Studios. She is also the founder of Venezuela Art Fair, a platform designed to promote and showcase contemporary art from her home country.

Pro Arts Jersey City is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) professional visual arts membership organization dedicated to supporting and promoting artists and their work. ART150 Gallery is made possible by the generous donation of GFP Real Estate. Their programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of the State, a partner agency for the National Endowment for the Arts and by Funds from the National Endowment for the arts, administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, County Executive, and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.  Other support includes funding from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, and the funding from the National Endowment for the Arts administered through the Jersey City Arts Council.