ArtJam will open on Feb. 20, with a public reception from 6-9 pm, and will run through March 15 at 19 Hulfish on Palmer Square in Princeton.
ArtJam is an art sale and exhibit featuring nationally-renowned, regionally-acclaimed professional artists and HomeFront’s own client artists from ArtSpace, HomeFront’s therapeutic art program. ArtSpace, a restorative program that offers HomeFront clients the opportunity to nurture their inner selves as they confront their hardships and get back on their feet, is part of HomeFront’s holistic approach to lifelong stability. “Attendees to ArtJam in prior years have found the event inspiring, challenging, provocative and entertaining,” ArtSpace Director Ruthann Traylor explains, “but this year, one artist, Emily Lewis, can truly say that ArtJam was ‘life-changing’ for her.”
Five years ago, Ms. Lewis was a 25-year-old single mother and high school dropout on welfare, with a future that looked pretty grim for her and her baby. She entered HomeFront’s WorkFirst educational program at their Family Preservation Center to obtain her GED and get some data entry training to help her find some sort of job. One day between classes she stopped by the brightly-colored and inviting ArtSpace studio. Ms. Lewis had never considered herself “artistic” at all but when she entered that studio it was if a light turned on. “She was just amazingly creative,” remembers Traylor. “Everything she did was startling and unique. That year, a group of local artists helped HomeFront put on the first-ever ArtJam and we persuaded Emily to show five of her pieces.
It was the last thing she ever thought she would do but she agreed.” That decision changed her life beyond her wildest dreams. During the run of the show she sold three paintings and attracted the attention of a local art patron. The young woman who had previously hoped to be lucky enough to land a minimum wage job now had the confidence to apply for—and receive—a full, four-year scholarship to the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City, complete with a housing stipend. She obtained her degree last year and is now studying for her MFA at Parsons while she works in the school metal shop to pay her way. Through ArtSpace and ArtJam, Emily Lewis found her dream and then made that dream come true. “Emily’s work will be part of this year’s event along with eight of HomeFront’s current, very creative clients.
They are all so proud to have a chance to exhibit their work alongside over 50 local and national professional artists,” Traylor says. The mix of artists is as eclectic as the art—with amazing stories that have inspired the art and the artists. The pieces include sculpture, glass, photography, jewelry, acrylics, watercolor and oil. Exhibiting artists from the Princeton area will include Cynthia Groya Andrew and Meg B. Michael. Among nationally-known artists joining them will be Jon Sarkin of Glouster, MA. Sarkin is a prolific, even compulsive artist who creates elaborate drawings and paintings cluttered with words and images. His work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, ABC Primetime, This American Life, GQ, ArtNews, Discovery Science Channel’s Tormented by Genius, Fresh Air and galleries in New York, Los Angeles and around the world.
Tom Cruise’s production company is developing a movie based on his life story. Six acclaimed artists from the famed Creedmoor Psychiatric Center’s Living Museum in Queen’s, New York will also exhibit at ArtJam. ArtJam will be open daily from the opening reception on Feb. 20 through the closing reception on Mar. 13, which will take place from 6-9 p.m. The receptions and show are free and open to the public. “We hope people will come by the artists and enjoy this feast for their senses,” Traylor says.
Much-needed sponsorships for ArtJam are always welcome. For information on sponsorship opportunities or other ways to be a part of the ArtJam experience, contact Ruthann Traylor at 609-883-7500 or via email at: ruthannt@homefrontnj.org.