Christine Back Jared and James, 2005 & 2023, 2023; Gelatin silver prints; Each:10 x 10 in.

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) is thrilled to announce the opening of the 2024 New Jersey Arts Annual: Exploring Our Connections, a prominent exhibition showcasing contemporary art from across the Garden State. Curated by Gail Stavitsky, the Museum's Chief Curator, this year's exhibition showcases 63 recent works by 61 artists and runs from September 28, 2024, through January 5, 2025. The selected pieces delve into the intricate themes of family, community, and belonging, expressed through a wide array of artistic mediums.

This exhibition celebrates New Jersey’s vibrant and diverse artistic community, reflecting the rich tapestry of the state’s cultural landscape. Over 1,000 submissions were meticulously reviewed by a distinguished panel of jurors, including Philemona Williamson, Todd Caissie, and Kimberly Callas. Their diverse perspectives and expertise were instrumental in shaping an exhibition that offers both depth and breadth in its artistic representation.

Reflecting on the curatorial process, Stavitsky noted, “The selection process this year was particularly rigorous due to the sheer volume of submissions. We aimed to balance geographic and cultural diversity and a variety of artistic mediums while ensuring the highest aesthetic quality. The result is an exhibition that not only highlights the exceptional talent found in New Jersey but also encourages viewers to contemplate what family and community mean in today’s world.”

Janice Belove Road Trip, 2022; Oil on canvas; 24 x 18 in.

The works featured in the exhibition explore the complex and multifaceted themes of family, community, and belonging. Highlights include Copie Rodriguez’s tender mixed-media portrait of his mother, symbolizing deep familial roots, and José Camacho’s abstract interpretation of identity through stenciled Spanish words. These pieces invite visitors to engage with art that challenges, inspires, and resonates on a deeply personal level.

Visitors will encounter a diverse array of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, and textile art. Among the more unusual works is an assemblage by Kate Dodd, who uses CAT scans of her parents to create a poignant piece that blends personal history with artistic innovation. The exhibition also includes large-scale works that visually and conceptually anchor the show, showcasing the artists’ mastery across various forms of expression.

Brandon Bravo La Rogativa, 2024; Oil on wood panel; 40 x 30 in.

Artists represented in 2024 New Jersey Arts Annual: Exploring Our Connections include: Amber Koko Allen, Christine Back, Donna Bassin, Janice Belove, Mesma Belsaré, Bette Blank, Virginia Block, Janet Boltax, Brandon Bravo, Beth Burstein, Jennifer Cabral, José Camacho, Emily Carrasco Perez, Lawrence Ciarallo, Daniel Cosentino, John Craig, Terrance Cummings, Karen Cunningham, Patricia Dahlman, Kirstin Demer, Kate Dodd, Nicholas D’Ornellas, Eugenio Espinosa, Dan Fenelon, Johanna Foster, Linda Friedman Schmidt, Ben Goldman, Grace Graupe-Pillard, Cheryl Gross, Qingling Guo, Ellen Hanauer, Marion Held, robin holder, Frank Ippolito, Troy Jones, Rachel Kanter, Ian King, Megan Klim, Parvathi Kumar, Kristin Künc, Steven Kushner, Kwesi Kwarteng, Kenneth MacBain, Joanna Madloch, Kirk Maynard, Winifred McNeill, Marge Miccio, Maria Mijares, paulA neves, Meira Pomerantz, Copie Rodriguez, Joseph Gerard Sabatino, Gary Saretzky, Danielle Scott, Jay Seldin, Susan Sinek, Judi Tavill, JP Terlizzi, Renelle White Buffalo, Ann Winston Brown, Jonathan Yubi Gomez.

Jennifer Cabral Depression. Possession. Repression., 2024; Pigment print on archival paper; 13 x 19 in.

The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) is located at 3 S. Mountain Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey. Gallery Hours are: Friday, 10:00am—6:00pm / Saturday, 10:00am—6:00pm / Sunday, 11:00am—5:00pm. The museum boasts a renowned collection of American and Native American art that uniquely highlights art-making in the United States over the last 300 years. Works in MAM's Native American art collection span the period of ca. 1200 C.E. to the present day.

The Vance Wall Art Education Center encompasses the Museum’s educational efforts, including award-winning Yard School of Art studio classes, lectures and talks, family events, tours, and the mobile MAM Art Truck. MAM exhibitions and programs serve a wide public of all ages, from families and seniors to artists, educators, and scholars.

All MAM programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and Museum members.

2024 New Jersey Arts Annual: Exploring Our Connections is a project of the Montclair Art Museum and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Generous support provided by the Lyn and Glenn Reiter Endowed Special Exhibition Fund.

John Craig Eclipsing in Cooper River Park, 2024; Photograph; 10 x 15 in.