30th Annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour Set for October 1-4

30th Annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour Set for October 1-4

This article originally appeared in TapInto Jersey City. To read it, please click here

JERSEY CITY, NJ - The 30th annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST), scheduled to take place Oct. 1 to 4, will be virtual. The largest such event in the state of Jersey, this year’s celebration will be a four-day extravaganza of virtual events, organizers have said.

“Every year we are broadening the scope of JCAST to incorporate more and more new and upcoming artists, and as we go virtual for the first time this year, we have even more exciting art and events planned to mark our 30th anniversary. JCAST highlights Jersey City’s dynamic city culture by showcasing our unparalleled arts community and the incredibly talented artists who live and work here,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “The annual event always draws thousands of people from near and far, and I anticipate even more participation this year as we invite everyone to virtually experience our expansive gallery in a safe and comfortable way.”

In the past, JCAST, which is sponsored by Jersey City’s Department of Cultural Affairs, has drawn thousands of guests and allowed residents and visitors to engage with hundreds of artists on their own turf.

  Over the last few years, the event had expanded beyond historic downtown where it started in 1990, offering a glimpse into artist spaces located in every corner of the city, from Greenville in the south and the Heights in the north, as well as events in the traditional Power House Arts district and Downtown, and areas near Journal Square and Lincoln Park.

For the first time, JCAST Live! will be held via Zoom, featuring studio tours, art demos, and panel discussions with artists, arts organizations, and collectives from all over Jersey City, in partnership with Art House Productions. A full description of events and festivities is available on the event’s website, which serves as the main resource for all JCAST information. It also includes a calendar of events taking place virtually.

 

For those looking to get out and explore the expansive citywide art gallery, the 4-day event will also feature options for open air, self-guided experiences, including the chance to take a walk and discover the region’s largest, wide-ranging outside art gallery through the Jersey City Mural Arts Program (JCMAP). Participants can also visit a local park and discover artwork printed on banners courtesy of “Walk Bye” and the Jersey City Parks Coalition. Branches of the Jersey City Free Public Library will also offer a chance to uncover Drawing Rooms.

“There really is something for everyone, whether you’re new to the arts or a steadfast supporter,” said Christine Goodman, Director of Cultural Affairs. “By offering our events virtually for the first time this year I think we will be able to expand our reach so that residents and visitors alike will discover why Jersey City truly is the heart of art in New Jersey.”

This year will also feature "Artivism", a thought-provoking virtual program to be held during JCAST weekend's evening hours, in partnership with Jersey City Theater Center. Those looking for rich discussions about topics such as community engagement and the arts, the arts as a catalyst for change, and the arts as a global connector can tune into Zoom for this series.

 

This year’s virtual events will also be accessible to the disabled community. ASL interpretation and captioning will be available through Zoom. JCAST is encouraging participants to describe visual content within their events and you can request this in the chat box of each event. If you need assistance accessing the online platforms or content, please contact jcast@thejcast.com. If you have other access needs, please contact access@thejcast.com.