IMMEDIATE RELEASE – WEST ORANGE, N.J. – As excitement continues around the world for the summer soccer tournaments, the West Orange Arts Council is bringing the celebration beyond the gallery walls with a special Art of the Game satellite exhibition at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, showcasing the soccer ball as a unique canvas for creative expression. Get a chance to own your own Soccer Ball work of Art at The Wilshire Grand art exhibit and auction.
An artists’ reception will be held on Thursday, July 16, from 6-8 p.m. at the Wilshire Grand, at 350 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet participating artists, view selected works from the exhibition, currently on view at the West Orange Arts Center, and celebrate a new partnership between the West Orange Arts Council and one of West Orange’s premier hospitality destinations.
DATE: Thursday, July 16, 2026
TIME: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
LOCATION: The Wilshire Grand Hotel – 350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052
COST: FREE – Open to the public
Refreshments & Drinks will be served
The Art of the Game exhibit features one-of-a-kind soccer ball sculptures created by professional and community artists, each transforming an ordinary soccer ball into an original work of art that celebrates the universal language of sport and the power of the arts to bring communities together
“The World Cup is one of the few events that unites people across every culture and generation,” said Patricia Mitrano, Chair of the West Orange Arts Council. “With Art of the Game, we’re celebrating not only soccer, but the creativity, diversity, and community pride that make West Orange such a vibrant place to live and visit. We’re thrilled to partner with the Wilshire Grand to bring this exhibition to even more people.”
The exhibition is part of WOAC’s ongoing effort to connect the arts with local businesses, tourism, and economic development while creating new opportunities for artists to showcase and sell their work.
“We’re delighted to welcome the West Orange Arts Council and Art of the Game to the Wilshire Grand,” said Mario Cajas, General Manager of the Wilshire Grand Hotel. “Supporting local arts organizations helps strengthen our community while giving visitors another reason to experience everything West Orange has to offer.”
The reception will also mark the debut of an online auction developed by Techdesigno, allowing visitors and supporters to bid on selected soccer ball sculptures while helping raise funds to support future arts programming, exhibitions, and community initiatives.
“As storytellers and designers, we wanted to create a platform that extends the experience beyond the gallery,” said John Mitrano of Techdesigno. “The online auction gives supporters another way to engage with the artwork while directly supporting both the artists and the mission of the West Orange Arts Council.”
The Wilshire Grand exhibition is one of several community partnerships developed through Art of the Game, demonstrating how local businesses, artists, and nonprofit organizations can work together to celebrate creativity while enhancing West Orange’s cultural and tourism offerings.
The reception is open to all guests, sponsors, artists, community leaders, and supporters of the arts.
For more information about the West Orange Arts Council, upcoming exhibitions, or the Art of the Game project, visit www.woarts.org.
About the West Orange Arts Council
The West Orange Arts Council is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the community through visual, literary, and performing arts. Through exhibitions, educational programming, public art initiatives, and community partnerships, WOAC works to make the arts accessible to residents and visitors while supporting artists and fostering cultural engagement throughout West Orange.