In its 17th year, the 65+ artists at historic Manufacturer's Village in East Orange are set to welcome the public into their creative studios. For one weekend, the doors will be open to explore the work and spaces of professional painters, sculptors, woodworkers, quilters, designers, printmakers, photographers, multi-media artists and more.
The annual Open Studios weekend is a free event designed to fuse art, architecture, community and inspiration. It will be a chance to meet the artists, view their work and purchase original pieces. It also hopes to inspire visitors to start a new artistic pursuit, meet other people in the local community and to give lovers of history and architecture, the rare opportunity to explore these well-preserved historic buildings with a self-guided tour.
Visitors will also be able to view the East Orange Community Black Lives Matter Mural, one of the state’s largest murals. Painted in the spring of 2021, this 9,000 square foot mural was created by sixteen artists from the greater East Orange Community.
“Open Studios at Manufacturer's Village is a highlight of the fall art season. Dozens of artists' studios are housed in the historic complex of brick buildings on the border of Bloomfield and East Orange. I was so excited to learn of this vibrant artist community, and each year that I attend Open Studios, there seem to be more artists and programs for artists making a home there. Super excited for another festive weekend of culture and community,”
--- Jennifer Wroblewski, owner of Gold/Scopophilia Gallery, Montclair, N.J.