The New SoHo? -- June 08

2008-04-25T02:31:00.000-07:00

NEWARK, NJ, MAY 1-- Money for development of arts and culture is pouring into Newark by the droves, and many visitors to Newark's burgeoning downtown Arts and University sections are already calling it "Little SoHo". Countless art galleries and studios; present in a small stretch have appeared over the past 24 months, far outnumbering bars and clubs in the same area. And while Newark's Ironbound has traditionally been the host to a myriad of notable restaurants, as well as the setting of a vibrant nightlife, Newark's Arts District has remained underdeveloped, with a host of discount stores and abandoned or ill-maintained buildings dotting the landscape. Many commercial structures only house ground floor tenants, with the top floors left abandoned and in many cases--boarded. The neglect has set the stage for an Artistic Renaissance in the area--or, what has been the catchphrase since the mid-1980s--the "SoHo Effect".

This effect, perhaps, found it's birth at a time when The Lower Manhattan Expressway, or the LoMex, was to connect the Holland Tunnel with the Williamsburg and Manhattan Bridges, at a cost of 78 to 100 million dollars. The plan was in the works for a decade, but New Yorkers would have no parts of it. At the onset of the destruction of the Pennsylvania station, residents, historians, architects and artists began the historic preservation movement. Massive collaborative demonstrations were staged, led by Jane Jacobs and George Maciunas, forcing the Mayor and the city to call the plan off. What remained was an abandoned industrial sector and the largest collection of cast iron buildings in the world, a very popular trend in the decades before steel. The area fell into disrepair, and during the late 60s and early 70s, artists--living below poverty level and in general anonymity--were able to utilize the high ceilings, large windows and heavy doses of natural light to foster the creative melting pot SoHo was to become. Even under intense city pressure to vacate the industrial buildings--not fit for residential occupancy and being rented illegally--the artists held firm to their dwellings. Such a culture was created, that in 1973, New York's Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the SoHo Cast Iron District historic.

The history of Newark's Arts district is, by no means, less dynamic. At its peak, Newark boasted 63 live theaters, 26 movie theaters, a very active nightlife and the nation's largest manufacturing base. Post World War II and beyond held challenges culminating to the emigration of business, decentralization of manufacturing, controversial housing practices and the Newark Riots. But the same conditions that drew artistic talent to SoHo in the 60s and 70s is now present in today's Newark. And these conditions have reaped huge rewards for "Brick City". The study Arts & Economic Prosperity III--conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading non-profit for advancing arts in America--indicated that the non-profit Arts community in Newark is one that generates $177.66 million dollars in economic activity and supports 4,624 full-time jobs. This is almost three times the amount of similar regions (pop. 250,000-300,000) with the exception of St. Paul, MN , and more than three times the national median. The study concluded, simply, "the arts mean business in the city of Newark!"

And this business is showing no signs of slowing down. At one time, there were over 10 furniture outlets in the downtown area alone. Now there are over 10 private galleries, and about 20 non-profit arts organizations. The largest furniture store in the city, is now the largest Art Gallery in New Jersey, Rupert Ravens Contemporary, at 85 Market Street. The gallery is comprised of 30,000 square feet, almost double the size of the New Museum of Contemporary Art, in NY. It stands as Newark's premiere commercial contemporary art space.

Large and art go hand-in-hand in Newark. Unlike more traditional galleries in SoHo and-- more recently, Chelsea--in Newark there is the space for more installment works, such as 20 to 30 foot structures and works that are, in many cases, built on-site.

And now everywhere you look in the city there is art. The recently opened Newark Arts Supply services the surrounding college and arts community, adding to the artistic flare on Halsey Street, reminiscent of comparable arts communities such as Providence, RI and Saint Paul, MN. A feature motion picture, Cadillac Films is being filmed across the street, adding to a very exciting summer for the arts community. Local businesses are getting caught in the rapture as well. 27 Mix, one of the few bars/nightclubs in the area (also on Halsey Street), displays the work from RedSaw Gallery on their walls. Harvest Table Fresh Food Eatery at 127 Halsey displays work from local artists, and holds openings and closings for them as well. "I started my eatery because of the thriving arts community in the area, so when I have the chance to highlight the Arts, I do. The success of the arts in the area, I believe, is tied to the success of every business in the area," says Carissa Borraggine, owner and operator. Many Newarkers would say Amen to that.

The influx of arts has not been limited to the recent past, however. Although right now the art scene is stronger than ever in Northern New Jersey, it has been so from the sweat and tears of artists, University program designers, gallery directors and curators for public and private galleries--maintaining the vision of a better Newark.

Ben Goldman, director of cWOW (City Without Walls) is another pioneer not new to that vision. The non-profit gallery is centered around artist development, and runs educational programs on contemporary art. 32 years old, it operates mainly on donations and grants, and is one of the most socially interactive galleries in the state.

This form of social activity among Newark's Arts community is the necessary driving force behind the renaissance. Nationally, Newark has had the reputation as the worst city in the United States. In 1975, Harper's magazine ranked Newark last in desirability, stating: "The city of Newark stands without serious challenge as the worst city of all. It ranked among the worst cities in no fewer than nineteen of twenty-four categories, and it was dead last in nine of them... Newark is a city that desperately needs help."

This help has arrived in the form of arts and culture. And development capital keeps pouring in. Aljira, A Center for Contemporary Art, at 591 Broad Street, has received over $250,000 since 2004, and also received a $500,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation in early 2001 for their massive efforts in the arena of artist and community development. This infusion of capital is not restricted to the arts, however. More than twenty prominent commercial properties have changed owners over the past few years, and the $350 million dollar Prudential Center has recently finished construction, hosting the New Jersey Devils, and names like Hanna Montana, Bon Jovi and R Kelly to name a few. Additionally, a $1 billion commitment is being fulfilled for the renovation of Newark's roads and railway system in the city, including a corporate heliport to the north of the city. Adept investors are not ignoring these changes, and neither are the artists. Seeing the "SoHo Effect" ripple through cities across America, artists are staking claim on loft spaces and establishing relationships at local galleries before the foreseen saturation occurs and high end retail moves in. With the pace of the arts expansion in the city, this is sooner rather than later. The city that once made everything under the sun, has not been without its difficulties. But as a new morning approaches, that sun now shines on a community reinvigorated with a colorful culture; envisioning a horizon of artistic rebirth.

Anthony Rubin
Park North
anthony@parknorthpr.com

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. To request the full "mini-magazine", with all of the sections listed above, email anthony@parknorthpr.com. This and every "Front and Center" article will be posted on this blog every 8 weeks. All pictures and text, with the exception of the Prudential 1932 picture, is property of Park North PR. PLEASE COMMENT!! Thank you, and see the references below.

References
Americans for the Arts <www.americansforthearts.org>
Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia <www.wikipedia.org>
Newarkology <www.newarkhistory.com>
City of Newark <www.ci.newark.nj.us>
Arts and Economic Prosperity III, Newark Study

Relevant Links
Newark Arts Council <www.newarkarts.org>
City Without Walls (cWOW) <www.cwow.org>
Rupert Ravens Contemporary <www.rupertravens.com>
Aljira, Center for Contemporary Art <www.aljira.org>
Red Saw Gallery <www.redsawart.com>
Gallery Aferro <www.aferro.org>
Walsh Gallery at Seton Hall University <library.shu.edu/gallery>
The National Newark Building <www.744broad.com>

The Anthony Eight.

The New SoHo? -- June 08