HomeFront's ArtSpace program hosts its 15th annual 'ArtJam' pop-up gallery at 45 Hulfish Street in Princeton from Friday, May 3 to Saturday, May 18, with over 500 works on sale to raise funds for the nonprofit organization.
HomeFront ArtSpace's "ArtJam 2024" marks the 15th iteration of the nonprofit’s free pop-up art gallery, which debuts at a new location in downtown Princeton at 45 Hulfish Street from Friday, May 3 through Saturday, May 18, with all proceeds benefiting HomeFront families.
'Feeling Blue' by HomeFront ArtSpace's Kimberly L. is included in HomeFront ArtSpace's 2024 ArtJam. (Photo courtesy of Ruthann Traylor and HomeFront)
According to a press release, over 700 works from 75 national, local, student, and “undiscovered or self-taught” HomeFront ArtSpace artists “who bravely embark on a journey to heal from poverty, abuse, or homelessness” will be on display, showcasing original paintings, sculptures, pottery, glassworks, handcrafted gifts, and hand-sewn items from HomeFront’s SewingSpace program.
An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, May 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., with other community drop-in events, including a fashion show at the Arts Council of Princeton, art discussions, live painting demonstrations, paint-alongs, and musical entertainment planned throughout the two weeks; a closing reception takes place on Friday, May 17, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
The gallery at 45 Hulfish Street in Princeton will be open to the public during the following hours: Monday through Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
The ArtJam 2024 logo.
HomeFront is a Mercer County-based nonprofit social service organization dedicated to ending homelessness and breaking the cycle of poverty in Central New Jersey. By addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of low-income families through supportive programs that draw on community resources, HomeFront empowers its clients to achieve self-sufficiency.
After witnessing firsthand the conditions of unhoused families living in welfare motels along Route 1 in Trenton more than three decades ago, HomeFront founder Connie Mercer mobilized a group of volunteers around her kitchen table to begin providing what would become thousands of meals over the years.
In September 2022, Mercer stepped up to become the CEO of the NJ Coalition to End Homelessness and advocate for legislative reform on similar systemic issues, passing the torch to current CEO Sarah Steward as the nonprofit continues to expand.
ArtJam 2024 features works by members of the ANEW Artists Alliance, a cooperative of self-taught Trenton creatives, including 'My Father’s Gone but I Have His Guitar' by Carol Johnson.
HomeFront’s ArtSpace, the nonprofit’s therapeutic art program, is based both at the Lawrence headquarters and the Family Campus in Ewing, with the former also turning a “formerly empty warehouse space” into a fabric arts studio for SewingSpace, which teaches clients how to sew, stitch, and even sell an array functional and stylish products—bags, hats, pillows, and more—fashioned from recycled materials.
Created by HomeFront’s ArtSpace and SewingSpace director Ruthann Traylor in 2007, the visual therapy programs help clients “work through trauma, find new entrepreneurial skills, and discover themselves as artists,” the press release continues.
'Imagination Is Your Art' by ANEW artist Charles Smith.
According to the HomeFront ArtSpace website, the annual ArtJam “directly underwrites HomeFront’s innovative therapeutic art programs—bringing hope, healing, and for many, a newly found creative outlet.”
“ArtJam 2024 brings together so many people who want to support the creativity of our HomeFront families. It is important that our clients have the opportunity to build valuable skills. Prior to the show, our volunteer curators look close to home and beyond to find new and established artists of all genres,” Traylor says in a quote.
“This year, HomeFront put out an open invitation for artists wanting to join its efforts. As a result, several wonderful new artists are participating in the show.”
“ArtJam is an amazing experience,” Steward explains. “It serves as an important reminder of the creative spirit of both our client families and the community that comes together to support our work.”
HomeFront's 15th annual ArtSpace ArtJam returns with a pop-up gallery at 45 Hulfish Street in downtown Princeton from Friday, May 3, to Saturday, May 18. (Photo courtesy of HomeFront)
“The arts can lift spirits; they empower our artists and enhance their self-esteem. We continue to be very grateful for the community support of ArtJam, the many local businesses, community members, our volunteers, and artists who contribute their works, and for all the support we get for Mercer County families in need,” she adds.
'Melody of Oranges' by John Hendryx.
Artists participating in this year’s event were able to submit up to 10 pieces and will receive half of the proceeds from each sale.
The constant flow of pieces through the pop-up’s pipeline—rotated and replaced daily by curators over the course of the two-week event—makes the gallery a dynamic experience.
Participants in SewingSpace, the sister program to HomeFront’s ArtSpace initiative, will also have the chance to showcase their stylish creations with a free fashion show open to the public at the Arts Council of Princeton, Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, 102 Witherspoon Street in Princeton, on Saturday, May 11, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., while a reception follows around the corner at ArtJam 2024’s 45 Hulfish Street gallery from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
'Female Arch #3' by Paul Norris.
According to an April press release, parents can also paint with their children at a drop-in table from 10 a.m. to noon on the Sunday of Mother’s Day, May 12, as part of the month’s ArtJam festivities.
The "Shop for a Cause" event at Palmer Square also takes place every Thursday in May and gives 10% of all sales at participating businesses and restaurants to a local nonprofit. On May 16, attendees can enjoy live music and entertainment while shopping at Miya Table & Home, the Yankee Doodle Tap Room, Lilly Pulitzer, and other businesses to benefit HomeFront.
For more information on "ArtJam 2024," see homefront-artspace.com/artjam-2024 or contact ArtSpace/SewingSpace director Ruthann Traylor at (609) 883-7500, ext. 316, or ruthannT@homefrontnj.org.
For more on HomeFront, visit homefrontnj.org or call (609) 989-9417, Ext. 107.
