(NEWARK, NJ) -- This summer, Newark's revolutionary history in film and photography takes center stage with Nork! Photo Fest, a month-long public art installation and cultural celebration hosted by The Nork! Project. Kicking off Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Military Park, the festival commemorates the city's lasting impact on visual storytelling—dating back to 1898 when Reverend Hannibal Goodwin invented celluloid film at the historic Plume House in downtown Newark, forever changing photography and making motion pictures possible.
Presented by The Nork! Project, an independent art and apparel brand rooted in Newark’s creative spirit, Nork! Photo Fest is an evolution of lens-based activations that began in 2020. What started as a grassroots photo walk has grown into a full-fledged cultural festival highlighting street and documentary photography with deep ties to Newark’s urban landscape and storytelling traditions.
“Newark began for me on foot, and photography has been an extension of my awareness—both physical and spiritual,” says Gabe Ribeiro, founder of The Nork! Project. “What started with a handful of photographers walking together in 2020 turned into a literal parade by 2022. This year, we received over 400 photo submissions and are proud to display 25 selected works in a large-scale outdoor exhibition in Military Park.”
The installation runs from June 1st through the end of June, and a full schedule of events—photo walks, panel discussions, community gatherings, and more—can be found online.
Sunday, June 1st - Opening Day (@ Military Park in Downtown Newark) from 12:00pm Noon to 4:00pm. Join uthem in celebrating the opening of the 2025 Nork! Photo Fest public exhibition at Military Park. There will be an information table about the fest and a free portrait station for solo, friends, or family photos where you'll be able to take home a print. RSVP here. A short photowalk through downtown Newark will also begin at 12:30pm. RSVP above for text notifications.
Saturday, June 7th - Brownmill Anniversary Block Party (@ Halsey Street in Downtown Newark) from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. Find the Nork! Project vending their wares as part of the yearly Brownmill Block Party. It's always a good time with local artisans, artists, music, and food. Meet us there for a quick and free Instax polaroid in our outdoor living room.
Sunday, June 8th - Portugal Day Weekend Photo Walk in the Ironbound (Starting Point: Sihana Cafe - 71 Ferry St, Newark) on the Prospect Street side of the building. Meet up at 12:30pm. Take in the festivities, camera in hand, along Ferry Street for the Portugal Day Weekend and make the walk down to the Five Corners intersection to the main stage of the Parade (3:00pm start time) and also to enjoy an afternoon of Portuguese themed drinks (a menu designed in collaboration with Passaic River Fishing Club) at community partner and festival sponsor Five Corners Ristorante (10 Wilson Ave). This walk is free to participate in. Drinks at Five Corners range from $10-$15, and food from $15-$26.
Friday, June 13th - Cocktails & Polaroids (@ Five Corners Ristorante, 10 Wilson Ave, Newark) from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. A recurring photography and Newark creatives networking happy hour with craft cocktails from Five Corners Ristorante and good tunes provided by local DJ Studio Bunkr. Dinner reservations can be made on fivecornersnewark.com, walk-ins welcome to hang out at the bar.
Saturday, June 14th & July 12th - Frames of the City: Documenting Newark's Stories (@ Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street). Application link here: www.npl.org/frames (Only 10 spots available! Participants will be selected based on their application.) Deadline to Apply: June 5th. Hands-on photography workshops led by Chrystofer Davis in collaboration with the James Brown African American Room and the New Jersey Information Center of the Newark Public Library. Through two in-depth workshops, participants will explore Newark using the tools of documentary photography and have their work preserved in the Newark Public Library’s digital archive.
Saturday, June 14th - HARVEST x Nork! Project x Newark City Parks - Community Vision Board Activation (@ Military Park, grass behind The Yard restaurant) from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. RSVP here. A reactivation of HARVEST’s Community Vision Board - an open invitation for a day at the park full of art, music, good energy, and space to dream out loud with your neighbors. Add your piece to the vision before the final piece is sealed and framed.
June 22nd - Downtown Newark & James Street Commons Historic District Photo Walk (@ Military Park) 12:00pm noon. Talk a walk with them, camera in hand, from Military Park to Harriet Tubman Square, into the James Street Commons Historic District and through University Heights before ending the walk with a boozy brunch at community partner and sponsor Sihana Bistro (159 Washington St) in collaboration with Uncle Nearest Whiskey. This walk is free to participate in. Drinks at Sihana Bistro range from $10-$15, and food from $14-$25.
Date TBD - Coffee & Cameras (@ Sihana Bistro, 159 Washington Street, Newark).
Date TBD - Manual Film Camera Workshop
Sponsors: This year’s festival is made possible with generous support from: Project for Empty Space & the Newark Artist Accelerator Grant, Powered by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program; City of Newark & the Creative Catalyst Fund; Newark Alliance, supporting extended programming and outreach; and Newark City Parks Foundation, for facilitating the art installation in Military Park.
Community Partners & Collaborators include: Sihana Hospitality Group (Five Corners Ristorante, Sihana Bistro, Sihana Café); HARVEST; Passaic River Fishing Club; Bunkr; So-Called Studios; and The Newark Times.
Follow the story online at @thenorkproject and tag them in your moments. #NorkPhotoFest2025
Nork! Photo Fest 2025: A lens into Newark’s past, present, and creative future.
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