Starting on Friday, April 13, HomeFront’s ArtJam will transform a storefront on Palmer Square in Princeton into a pop-up art gallery bringing together professional artists, undiscovered artists who have experienced homelessness, and the community at large in a celebration of creativity. Now in its ninth year, ArtJam has grown to over 100 participating artists, including Judith Brodsky, Jon Sarkin and Cynthia Groya. Works from these well-known artists will be displayed alongside the works of HomeFront clients who have limited means but enormous talents.
“If you visit, you can feel good twice,” says Ruthann Traylor, ArtSpace/SewingSpace Director at HomeFront. “You can buy art you’ll love, and you can feel good that the money you spend is going to a cause you can believe in—helping homeless families get back on their feet.” ArtJam benefits ArtSpace, HomeFront’s innovative therapeutic art program.
Sharon A. is one of the HomeFront client artists whose works will be featured at ArtJam. Two years ago, Sharon’s life changed in an instant: she was struck with four aneurysms while out shopping. She slipped into a coma, lost her job and was evicted from her apartment. Sharon found HomeFront, which gave her a fresh start and put her on the path to self-sufficiency. During her time with HomeFront, Sharon found her creative voice and developed her painting skills in ArtSpace. She has produced over 30 paintings to wide acclaim; many of her beautiful works have been featured in gallery exhibits around the state and have been purchased by individuals and local businesses.
The pop-up gallery will feature a rotating collection of art for sale and meet-and-greets with the artists. A wide variety of unique creations will be displayed, including paintings, pottery, glassworks, jewelry, and hand-sewn items from SewingSpace, another HomeFront art program. Visitors can shop for one-of-a-kind pieces while helping aspiring artists with each purchase.
The ArtJam opening reception on Friday, April 13 is open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. at 19 Hulfish Street, Palmer Square in Princeton. For a full calendar of ArtJam events, visit: https://www.homefrontnj.org/artjam/
Gallery hours are Monday through Wednesday, 12 noon to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The gallery is open from Friday, April 13 to Sunday, April 29.
Since its founding 27 years ago, HomeFront has worked to end family homelessness in Central New Jersey by breaking the cycle of poverty through the provision of shelter, skills for a self-sustaining life and hope. HomeFront has developed a sophisticated network of supportive housing and social services for very low-income households who are either homeless or at high risk of becoming so.
ArtSpace often opens doors to new ways of thinking for HomeFront clients, fostering their creativity, self-esteem, and confidence, and helping to set them on a path to achieve independence. The artists learn to reveal their voice and feel joy in their accomplishments. Paired with training in art is teaching of entrepreneurial skills, empowering the artists to see value in their work as it is admired and purchased by others. ArtJam is one such venue for them to exhibit and sell their work.
HomeFront invites all community members to attend the opening reception on Friday, April 13, come to one of the other events being scheduled, or simply browse during the gallery hours to witness for themselves the power of creativity and art.
For more information about ArtJam, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Ruthann Traylor at RuthannT@HomeFrontNJ.org.
- Dates: Friday, April 13- Sunday, April 29
- Location: 19 Hulfish Street, Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ
- Opening Reception: Friday, April 13, 5-9 pm
- Gallery Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 12 noon to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 12 noon to 5 p.m.
ArtJam, April 13 -29 will feature works of over 100 artists. Proceeds will help support the artists and ArtSpace programs.