2023 Newark Artist Accelerator project-based grantees: Angela Pilgrim with Fruishun Press Studio; Cazorla + Saleme; Denise Toney; HYCIDE; Kween Moore (Femme Curator Arts); Melisa Gerecci in collaboration with Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Monifa Kincaid, Aurora Diaz, and Sophie Ziner; Obscura Darkroom NJ; and RORSHACH and Friends.
Project-based grants were awarded support in the amount of $7,500. Projects are artist-led, and could include collaborative ventures, pop-up exhibitions, events, and interventions of an ephemeral nature that are radically accessible to public audiences.
This fund was made possible by the generous support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program.
Angela Pilgrim with Fruishun Press Studio
Newark Youth Printmaking & Research Scholarship
The Newark Youth Printmaking & Research Scholarship, spanning two transformative months, offers Newark teens an immersive journey into their community's stories and culture through the dynamic medium of screen printing. Guided by prompts and supported by the resources of the Newark Public Library, participants will not only gain hands-on experience but also delve deep into the narratives of local changemakers, musicians, artists, and activists. The scholarship concludes with a community showcase, where the culmination of the teens' artistic endeavors becomes a testament to their exploration and celebration of Newark's vibrant heritage.
CAZORLA + SALEME
Magical Encounters Season 2: The Grand Mural
CAZORLA + SALEME will expand upon their ongoing work with the Newark Public Library (2021 +), Spectrum of Joy, creating a youth-driven collaborative mural. The artwork will aim to expand children's and teens' connection to nature and environmental sustainability. The program aligns with the principles of social practice, using community murals as a catalyst for unity and empowerment.
“We aim to stimulate dialogue on climate justice, emphasizing the impact of environmental changes on our region and fostering a sense of responsibility towards a sustainable future.” - Patricia Cazorla and Nancy Saleme
Denise Toney
Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts
Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts will invite participants ages 12 and above across Newark to engage in transformative art workshops. These sessions aim to create enduring memorial keepsakes and diverse artworks, ranging from paintings on canvases, mobile murals, memory quilts, and framed collages to LED candles, wearable art, ceramics, and more. Led by a seasoned instructor, these workshops offer a constructive outlet for individuals navigating grief, depression, or emotional distress, fostering positive expression and community support.
HYCIDE
The Black & White Issue
After a five-year hiatus, HYCIDE magazine makes its momentous return with a coffee table book and a profound exploration into race, culture, and societal constructs, guest edited by ethnographer and scholar Dr. Yaba Blay. Founded by photojournalist Akintola Hanif and spanning over 300 pages, the special edition book delves into the subjects of Black power, white supremacy, and the influences of Black music, businesses, and art. HYCIDE will also host a highly anticipated public launch party in Spring 2024.
Kween Moore, Femme Curator Arts
Hope Box Project 2.0: Harmony in Diversity: A Mural Celebrating Community Connections
Harmony in Diversity is a mural project designed to celebrate our community's unique multicultural identity while promoting unity and inclusivity. Through vibrant colors, symbolic imagery, and engaging themes, this project captures the rich tapestry of our diverse community, symbolizing our shared values and aspirations through art.
Melisa Gerecci, Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Monifa Kincaid, Aurora Diaz, Sophie Ziner
Cook Book / Look Book Calendar Project
Cook Book / Look Book Calendar Project is an artist collective celebrating food’s power to emotionally connect and creatively nourish. They explore storytelling around meals through a calendar collaboration, creating places to share sensory memories, and community building through intimacy and printed matter.
Obscura Darkroom NJ
Through Healing Eyes: Recovery and Photography
Through Healing Eyes: Recovery and Photography is a collaboration between Obscura Darkroom NJ and Integrity House, a prominent substance use disorder treatment provider in New Jersey. Obscura aims to provide 10 Integrity House clients with 35mm cameras, teaching them film development and printing at Obscura Darkroom. The 12-week program, led by Obscura director, will culminate in a photo exhibition at two locations in Newark. Obscura previously worked with Integrity House on a similar project, sparking an interest in expanding the program to benefit more local communities. The initiative aims to promote photography as an art form, offering therapeutic benefits and recreational activities for those in recovery.
RORSHACH and Friends
all you need//is love
RORSHACH, in collaboration with fellow Newark graffiti/mural artists, will collaborate on a mural on Route 21 - McCarter Highway in Newark. The mural's central theme will boldly display the message, "All You Need is Love," employing various calligraphy/graffiti hand-style. This mural aims to convey an uplifting message to the multitude of pedestrians and motorists traversing one of Newark's busiest highways daily. Situated near Interstate 280 and behind the old Newark Bears Stadium, this wall offers a prime location for the artwork.
“Love is our message. From Newark with love. Almost like a love note to the world….. Peace.” - Robert Ramone