Celebrate New Times — The Newark Museum of Art Reopens

The Newark Museum of Art, the largest museum in New Jersey, reopens with the “2021 New Jersey Arts Annual” and a full lineup of art and culture experiences.

On view from June 7- August 22 is the “2021 New Jersey Arts Annual: ReVision and Respond.” This thought-provoking exhibit features the work of 45 New Jersey-based artists who respond to the turbulent events of recent years, especially 2020.

The exhibition demonstrates how the arts can create dialogue and document this important moment in history. Themes of identity, isolation, loss, joy, and hope reflect the breadth of experiences and strong emotions we may all relate to in these complex times.

“ReVision and Respond” is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Newark Museum of Art, and is the first major exhibition since the NMoA reopened earlier in June after a 14-month shutdown.

This past winter, in the midst of the pandemic, the jurors of “ReVision and Respond” put out an open call for artists – and received more than 1,800 submissions by 485 artists across 20 of the 21 New Jersey counties.

Through an intense process, jurors Amy Simon Hopwood and Kristen Owens chose 50 works by 45 artists across 14 New Jersey counties. The highest number of submissions came from Jersey City with 170 submissions from 46 artists, with Newark shortly behind with 105 submissions from 27 artists.

The exhibit is notable for its range of mediums and materials – paper, glass, plastics, textiles, photographs, natural objects, paint, stickers, and more. The diversity in materials reflects the contributing artists themselves as well. Featured are artists who are elders, younger artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and people from all different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Owens points out, “That diversity happened quite naturally due to the submissions received, and is a highlight of this exhibition. This type of representation is really important to a lot of people – to feel like we belong in this institution, and that the institution belongs to us too.”

Virtual programming, which has been tremendously successful and vital through the pandemic, will continue even as NMoA welcomes in-person guests. Virtual programming for “ReVision and Respond” includes talks, panel discussions, and tours of the exhibition by some of the artists themselves.

Also on view are new acquisitions by New Jersey artist Bisa Butler, the late Jerry Gant of Newark, as well as inspiring works from the vast NMoA collections.

This summer, the Newark Museum of Art is also partnering with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra to offer a series of outdoor concerts, films, and cultural celebrations. All programs will take place in the Museum’s Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden with a limited capacity and safety guidelines.

Newark is just about 20-30 minutes from Manhattan via NJ Transit, PATH train, or by car. At the Newark Museum, health and safety procedures include seating with chairs set six feet apart; masking for audiences, staff, volunteers, and contractors; and temperature checks. Tickets must be purchased in advance. In compliance with Mayor Baraka and the City of Newark’s Executive Order on May 19, all visitors aged 12 and up must be fully vaccinated to enter the museum.

And while you’re in Newark, be sure to check out some of the city’s great murals, including those by artist LNY.

Cover image: One of the NMoA’s newest acquisitions: Bisa Butler, “The Warmth of Other Sons,” 2020; “Is This All We’re Made Of?”, 2019, by Union County-based Danielle Scott; and close-up of Dong Kyu Kim’s “The Most Famous Stripes #2, 2020.” All photos by the author, Rachel Alban.