By Mabel Pais

Feast your Eyes on Creations of ANINDITA DUTTA

And many, many more

The Newark Museum of Art (NMOA) and Newark Arts (NA) present ‘Cross Cultural Perspectives,’ the signature exhibition of the 2023 Newark Arts Festival (NAF), a free, four-day celebration happening September 27th through October 1st. The exhibition opens on September 27th and features works by a roster of 90+ NJ artists and will be on-view through October 29th. The 22nd annual arts festival will partner with The Newark Museum of Art to host its signature group exhibition for the third year.

Registered guests of the Newark Arts Festival will receive free entry to ‘Cross Cultural Perspectives’ and the entire Museum during the four-day run of the Festival.

Particularly known for must-see exhibitions that generate fervent conversation around timely social issues, NAF will partner with The Newark Museum of Art to host the “Cross Cultural Perspectives” group exhibition, expanding on the success of previous years. The poignant visual arts exhibition will enhance each attendee’s cultural experience by providing a rich bounty of diverse viewpoints, artistic mediums and voices to be valued.

Each Fall, Newark Arts Festival (“NAF”) showcases Newark’s dynamic and diverse arts and culture sector over four days of events, programs and nightlife. Produced by Newark Arts and powered by Prudential Foundation, NAF amplifies the voices of established and emerging artists, gallerists and creative entrepreneurs in New Jersey’s largest city. Twice named New Jersey’s Favorite Visual Arts Festival, this free community event promotes and highlights the offerings of creatives throughout the entire city, including film, dance, theatre, poetry, and arts education.

The Festival will attract thousands of artists, collectors, aficionados and creatives to New Jersey’s largest city this Fall. Happening September 27 through October 1, 2023, this free four-day celebration of arts and culture will span across all five wards of Newark, kicking off with a not-to-be-missed Opening Event on Wednesday, September 27th at The Newark Museum of Art.

HIP HOP 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPOTLIGHT

Voted New Jersey’s Favorite Visual Arts Festival, NAF 2023 will proudly feature the “Cross Cultural Perspectives” of Newark’s diverse and vibrant arts community, as well as national and international voices in the arts. Unique to this year’s festival will be a spotlight on the contributions of Newark-area hip hop pioneers, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop.

How does culture influence the artistic process?

How does culture impact a community? Each of us has our own thoughts, perceptions, behaviors, and expressions based on our lived experience. Adopting a cross-cultural perspective starts with listening and learning from others who are different from us, and appreciating the beauty of how they experience and show up in the world.

Led by local and national curators, each day of the Festival will feature dynamic artistic offerings from Newark’s creative community including pop-up art installations, performance and poetry experiences, the ‘Open Doors Kids Festival,’ film and media events, nightlife, panels and more.

OPENING NIGHT

This not-to-be-missed opening night will connect all sectors of Newark’s vibrant arts and culture community and dazzle you with unforgettable performances by Janetza Miranda, Hezekiah “Hez” Crockett, Trezure Empire, Snazzy Jazzy and DJ Fade, celebrating both Cross Cultural Perspectives and the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop. At the same time, attendees can enjoy the Newark Public Schools Teen Exhibition, ‘Bridging Borders: Embracing Cross-Cultural Perspectives,’ on the 2nd floor Program Hall.

And there’s more! Be sure to arrive on time for a dazzling unveiling beginning at 6 pm on the Museum’s front steps. The Museum will officially unveil a recently acquired pair of marble sculptures by renowned artist Sanford Biggers, which will grace the NMOA entrance.

“This is the Festival of the people and Newark Arts’ love letter to Newark. We are looking forward to once again partnering with The Newark Museum of Art and our entire community of artists of all disciplines, our dedicated funders, partners and lovers of art and entertainment. We hope to make the Newark Arts Festival a Fall destination for patrons globally. Incorporating a celebration of Hip-Hop will be the icing on the cake,” said Felicia Swoope, Newark Arts, Executive Director.

“We are excited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop at the 2023 Newark Arts Festival and to pay homage to the artists from Newark who made massive contributions to this uniquely American art form that has defied the odds and stood the test of time,” said Councilman Dupre “Doitall” Kelly of Newark’s West Ward and founding member of the rap group, ‘Lords of the Underground.’

 “We look forward to partnering with Newark Arts, now for the third year, to host the Newark Arts Festival exhibition. Following last year’s stunning showcase, we are thrilled to celebrate and support the immense artistic talent right here in Newark. Our team welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the dynamic staff at NAF to foster community at The Newark Museum of Art,” said Catherine Evans, Deputy Director, Collections & Curatorial Strategies at NMOA.

For more information on NAF 2023, visit NewarkArtsFestival.com.

REGISTRATION

To register for the Festival, visit newarkartsfestival.com/cross-cultural-perspectives

ACCESSIBILITY

ADA Accessibility: Newark Arts strives to ensure accessibility of its events and programs to all persons with disabilities. If an individual requires special accommodations or assistance, please contact Newark Arts in writing by mail or email with two-week notice. Large-print text is available upon request. Its offices are wheelchair accessible. The mailing address is 17 Academy Street, Suite 702, Newark NJ 07102.

Newark Arts

Newark Arts’ mission is to power the arts to transform lives. Established in 1981 as the Newark Arts Council, the organization’s vision is to become a nationally recognized catalyst for the collaborative power of the arts in the City of Newark and urban America. Newark Arts is the producer of the Newark Arts Festival and Newark Creates, a community-led citywide cultural plan, created in partnership with the City of Newark. Key initiatives include Arts Education Newark (AEN) and the ArtStart community grantmaking program.

Newark Arts was created to advance and expand the artistic and cultural resources of New Jersey’s largest city. Its mission is to bring the transformative power of the arts into the lives of those who live in, work in, and visit Newark through programs, advocacy, promotion, education, and coordination.

Connect with Newark Arts

To keep up-to-date on all the latest news from Newark Arts, sign up for the newsletter at newarkarts.org and follow @Newark_Arts on Twitter and @NewarkArts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)