originally published: 02/20/2025
Installation by HoTTea (Eric Rieger) "One Last Moment Under the Sky" and the project is the Wooden Walls Public Art Project
(EAST ORANGE, NJ) -- Garden State Art Weekend, a four-day celebration of New Jersey's dynamic art scene, returns April 24–27, 2025. Following a successful inaugural year in 2024, which showcased 115 venues across 15 counties, this year's event aims to expand its reach to all 21 counties, further highlighting New Jersey as a destination for contemporary art.
"New Jersey is home to many talented artists and respected arts institutions," says co-director Christine Romanell. "Garden State Art Weekend provides a platform to connect these artists and organizations with the public, celebrating the unique creative spirit of our state."
Co-directed by artists Christine Romanell and Alison Pirie, the 2025 festival will offer a diverse program of gallery exhibitions, open studios, live demonstrations, and community arts events. The festival hub will be at Manufacturers Village Artists in East Orange, which will host the official Garden State Art Weekend Kickoff Party and Spring Open House, featuring over 60 open artist studios.
Confirmed participating venues include the Newark Museum of Art, Project for Empty Space (Newark), Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (Summit), Project Studios and Neumann Arts Inc. (Hoboken), and The School at The Art School at Old Church (Demarest), with additional venues to be announced in April.
"New Jersey is a place of artistic innovation where idiosyncrasy is valued and imagination is celebrated,” says Journalist Tris McCall, “the best way to experience that in full is by immersing yourself in the events and open studios of Garden State Art Weekend."
Whether you are a seasoned collector, an art enthusiast, or simply looking for creative inspiration, Garden State Art Weekend provides a unique opportunity to explore and support New Jersey’s vibrant arts communities.
Get Involved: Galleries, museums, and arts organizations are invited to participate. Venue applications are open until March 31, 2025, and can be submitted online at gardenstateartweekend.org.
Stay Connected: For the latest updates and event information, follow Garden State Art Weekend on Instagram at @GardenStateArtWeekend and subscribe to their newsletter at their website.
Garden State Art Weekend is an annual statewide event celebrating visual arts in New Jersey. Its mission is to foster community engagement, support local artists and arts organizations, and raise the profile of New Jersey as a center for contemporary art.
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Ocean County Artists' Guild presents "Proof I Was Here" by Conni Freestone
(ISLAND HEIGHTS, NJ) -- Conni Freestone's "Proof I Was Here" opens June 1st and runs throughout June 2026 at Ocean County Artists' Guild in Island Heights. Structured across three interconnected spaces, the exhibition is an exploration of the fleeting evidence of existence, and will be Freestone's first major solo exhibition.
Branchport Galleries presents "The New Botanical"
(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Branchport Galleries (inside the Long Branch Arts and Cultural Center) presents The New Botanical, an art exhibition curated by Ellen Martin that invites you to rediscover the wonder of trees, seeds, and flowers. The exhibit is on view from May 14 through June 30, 2026. It includes works by Suzan Globus, Kevin Hinkle/Ellen Martin, Daniel Sroka, and Gao Yuan.
Hunterdon Art Museum presents three new exhibitions: Claybash, Emily Strong, and Bascha Mon
(CLINTON, NJ) -- The Hunterdon Art Museum opens three new exhibits on Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Claybash, which explores the possibilities of clay; and exhibit of Emily Strong's artwork; and Mindscapes, which is an exhibit of work by Bascha Mon.
SOPAC's Herb + Milly Iris Gallery presents "INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition"
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition on view in the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery from May 14 through August 16, 2026.
The Skylands Museum of Art presents "FINI...pas fini!"
(LAFAYETTE, NJ) -- The Skylands Museum of Art (Skylands Museum) presents Fini...pas fini! (from the French: Fini is not finished!), a temporary fine art exhibition from the permanent collection of over 30 works by internationally recognized artist Leonor Fini from May 16 to September 26, 2026. Skylands Museum will exhibit original drawings, etchings, silkscreens and lithographs of portraits, sphinxes, female figures, cats and fantastical beings imagined by the fascinating artist.
Art House Productions Unveils "In The Wind" Public Art Installation
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions has announced In The Wind, a large-scale public art installation transforming Lincoln Park in Jersey City with artist-designed flags featuring original work by Hudson County artists. Presented in celebration of the organization's 25th anniversary, the exhibition highlights the depth and diversity of Hudson County's creative community.
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