Trenton Social opens its August exhibition “Brilliant Muses: New Work by Mel Leipzig” with a First Friday opening on August 5 from 5 to 11 p.m.
Leipzig is the nationally noted Trenton artist connected to several American art traditions and whose work is part of the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, New Jersey State Museum, Zimmerli Art Museum of Art, and others. He is represented and exhibits at the Gallery Henoch in New York City.
The exhibition of recent works demonstrates the 87-year-old artist’s continuing commitment to painting the human form — with subjects including City of Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and Trenton-based Pulitzer Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa — and the use of a color palette and approach informed in part by Trenton street and graffiti artists.
The free exhibition is on view through August 30, and the artist will present a free talk on Saturday, August 20, at 4 p.m.
Trenton Social Restaurant is located at 449 South Broad Street. www.trentonsocial.net.
The Trenton Artists Workshop Association (TAWA) and the Trenton Free Public Library will present the exhibition “Urban Art Scenes” at the Trenton Free Public Library from August 3 to 27. An opening reception is set for Friday, August 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. An artist’s talk is scheduled for Thursday, August 10, at 6 p.m.
The opening night for the exhibit will be a part of the Trenton Downtown Association’s First Friday events.
“Urban Art Scenes” features work by two regional artists, Marge Miccio and Kate Graves. Both artists portray colorful and nostalgic scenes of Trenton.
Marge Miccio is a Trenton-based painter known in part for her works depicting Trenton shops, businesses, and homes. She has exhibited with TAWA at the Trenton City Museum and Prince Street Gallery in New York and studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Italian University for Foreigners.
Kate Graves, based in Morrisville, is a sculptor and painter who has used both mediums to visually explore and capture Trenton’s architectural landscape. She has exhibited at the Trenton City Museum, Chapin School Gallery, Old Barracks Museum, and Noyes Museum of Art and has work on permanent display at Capital Health in Hopewell and Princeton University. She studied Asian art at Mills College in Oakland, California, and worked at the Johnson Atelier.
TAWA is a Greater Trenton nonprofit organization and has a 40-year history organizing exhibits in such venues as the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton City Museum, Artworks Trenton, Prince Street Gallery in New York City, and more.
The Trenton Free Public Library is located at 120 Academy Street. 609-392-7188.
More information on TAWA can be found on its Facebook page.
Jersey Fresh Jam spreads out
Trenton’s premiere Hip Hop festival, the Jersey Fresh Jam, greets 2022 with a three-part project.
The event was born in 2005 as a small street art event that, according to organizers, has blossomed into “one of the most respected celebrations of Hip Hop culture on the east coast. At the twilight of every summer, aerosol artists from far and wide converge to adorn the walls of Terracycle Inc. with their signature masterpieces, while local and regionally known emcees, bands, and DJs provide the soundtrack for the day’d festivities.”
The event is curated by Trenton Artist Leon Rainbow, who launched the Jam with several artists working as Vicious Style Crew: Mek, Ras, and Proze.
Also participating is Trenton DJ Its Just Ahmad, who has been directing the music at Jersey Fresh Jam since its inception. He will be joined by AB Zulu Nation as the Master of Ceremonies.
“We strive to bring the brightest and best artists in the tri-state area with an emphasis on black, brown and female artists from around the region and abroad,” say organizers on the JFJ website.
The free Jersey Fresh Jam Trenton events are as follows:
The Jersey Jam Art Exhibition at Mill Hill Playhouse, opening as part of Trenton’s First Friday events on August 5, 6 to 8 p.m., and remaining on view through the month. The theater is located at 205 East Front Street.
The Jersey Fresh Jam Kick-Off Party with Skate Jam and Breakdance Competition, Friday, August 26, 7 to 11 p.m. Freedom Park Skate Park, 675 South Clinton Avenue.
And the Jersey Fresh Jam is set for Saturday, August 27, noon to 7 p.m., at TerraCycle, 121 New York Avenue, Trenton.
For more info, go to jerseyfreshjam.com.
Mel Leipzig's painting of Trenton mayor Reed Gusciora.,
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