The West Orange Arts Council (WOAC) presents “PIECES, Messages in Street Art” a group exhibition featuring gallery works highlighting contemporary NY/NJ-based street artists. The exhibit opens at the West Orange Arts Center, 551 Valley Road in West Orange, New Jersey on October 16, 2021, with a reception from 1pm – 4pm (rain date: Oct. 17) and runs through November 28, 2021. Regular gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from Noon – 4pm.
The participating artists include: AJ Lavilla, BC, Commodore, Con$umr, Doodlehedz, DUEL RIS, Early Riser, GETLOSTALOT, Googly Eye Cru, J131, Jake Genen, J.Eric Cook, Jim Tozzi, Joe Waks, Joseph Barral, Klo, Lady K Fever, Michael Saviello, NYC Kush Co., Ray Arcadio, Savior Elmundo AKA MAKE ART, SFVG, TF Dutchman, Theohiogirl, Viva Pancho, xplorefreedom and YOBE.
The exhibition is an opportunity to showcase the artists’ unique styles and bring their voices inside gallery walls, states curator Josie Barreiro (J131). “In this setting, the artists can express their individual messages and present their diverse visions in one place. The work selected for this exhibition celebrates street art and its influence on urban culture.”
WOAC gallery manager and co-curator Rey Arvelo sees this exhibit as a first of its kind for the West Orange Art Center. It is an opportunity to introduce new artists to WOAC and expose a new community audience by introducing urban themes and perspectives. “As an artist, I never practiced or participated in the art form. It just always intrigued me,” says Arvelo. “There is a sense of mystery, very cryptic or playful and even mischievous.”
WOAC Chair Patricia Mitrano, inspired by the Morris Museum’s 2019 exhibit and its current exhibit “On and Off the Streets: Urban Art New Jersey,” along with Newark’s Murals Project, believes this is a rare opportunity for the community to learn about street art and the artists currently active. She hopes everyone will “experience the raw emotion and energy of this exhibit.”