Collages and Paintings filled with Cultural Ephemera reveal the Artistâ€s Journey 

By Sally Deering

In her email address sheâ€s “Bondgyrl” who, with her dad, has seen every 007 flick ever made. Away from the computer, sheâ€s Theda Sandiford, a mixed-media artist and lover of found objects. Sandiford currently has work in the VANITY show at the Jersey City Theater Center; and five pieces are to be exhibited at Jersey City Art and Studio Tourâ€s (JCAST) Flagship Gallery on Sat and Sun, Oct 8, and 9, and every weekend in October.  

It doesnâ€t matter how fancy or mundane a found object is, it tells a story, Sandiford says. It could be a Gatorade bottle cap, or a broken bracelet, once Sandiford finds her treasure, usually on her jaunts in the Jersey City neighborhood where she lives, the object(s) will be reconstructed into a mixed-media collage.

“I find things when I walk around,” Sandiford says. “Iâ€ll find a gear from a bicycle, Iâ€ll see something broken. Iâ€m seeing things all the time. Depending on what neighborhood Iâ€m in, I can get a sense of who lives there by their garbage. In Jersey City, there are a lot of Corona caps and Heineken caps and Goya Malta if Iâ€m near the park. In Hoboken, Iâ€ll find the Heineken cap, but Iâ€ll also find craft beer caps from Brooklyn lager. As you go through different neighborhoods, youâ€ll get to know who lives there. I just got back from London, I brought a bunch of things back.”

 (“Eye of Providence” to be shown at JCAST Gallery in October)

In the VANITY show, Sandifordâ€s piece Selfie Joy features a pretty woman with a huge afro made of bottle caps, buttons and other objects dâ€art.

“I did a similar piece to Selfie Joy using the same photo which will be at the JCAST Gallery during the Jersey City Studio Tour next weekend,” Sandiford says. “I found two photos and tore them out of a magazine and I was so taken with the face, their skin, it felt like purity to me. I collected orange bottle caps, most of them came from Burning Man (the festival in Arizona).  I had a friend on the recycling crew and he found every single orange Gatorade cap and shipped them to me. The pieces in the center of Selfie Joy that look almost floral, those are sippy parts that you find on kids†juice containers. I put out a call for materials on Instagram and within weeks I had hundreds of them.”

Itâ€s like sheâ€s adding archeology into her collages; no matter where she is, objects she collects inspire her art, she says. Making art also helps her deal with lifeâ€s everyday craziness. In the beginning, when she starts creating a piece, Sandiford may feel angry about something or frustrated, but as she starts creating, those feelings change and when she feels finished with the work, she feels the joy of creating it and working through some inner turmoil.

“I started making art in 2004, after someone said to me that I wasnâ€t expressing myself fully, and to ‘take the things youâ€re upset about and instead of dwelling on them, make art to release themâ€,” Sandiford says “It was a suggestion that now is a life-line for me. How do I get to happy if Iâ€m confused? How do I find clarity? My work deals with identity and self-exploration. Iâ€m not doing it just to make pretty things to enjoy. Iâ€m doing it to be fully-realized.”

Born in Queens, Sandiford has lived in Westchester, Puerto Rico, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Boston, Massachusetts where she earned a Bachelorâ€s Degree in American Studies from Tufts University. She moved to Jersey City in 1995.

(“Radiant” by Theda Sandiford, Private collection)

“I was working and living in the city and I had a progression of people sleeping on my couch,” Sandiford says “No privacy. I wanted to live close to the city, so I came over here and bought a condo. There were maybe two restaurants, Skinnerâ€s Loft and The Merchant, at the time. There was none of the things we have in Jersey City now.”

And what about that Bondgyrl email nickname?

“My dad is a huge James Bond fan and we would always see James Bond films every summer when they came out,” Sandiford laughs.

To one viewer at the VANITY show at the Jersey City Theater Center, Sandifordâ€s piece could very well be a take-off of a Bond girl. The figure looks very 1960s with big eyes and an over-sized afro which makes her look extremely feminine and hip.

“Every woman says they see some of themselves in my work and the pieces allow them to embrace their femininity and beauty,” Sandiford says “So often the images of women we see in the media make us feel ‘Iâ€m not skinny enough,†or ‘Iâ€m not enough.†If someone can buy one of my pieces and it makes them feel like theyâ€re ‘enoughâ€, then mission accomplished, and that makes me feel good.”

 If you go

Through Nov. 11

VANITY

The Art Gallery at JC Theater Center

Merseles Studios

339-345 Newark Ave, JC

www.jctcenter.org

 

Sat & Sun, Oct 8 and 9

JC Art and Studio Tour

JCAST Flagship Gallery

130 Pacific Ave, JC

For more info, www.thedasandiford.com

www.thejcast.com

 

Oct 13-Nov 12

LA Center for Digital Art

Electron Salon

104 E. 4^th St, LA

www.lacda.com

 

 

The post FINDING THEDA- Artist Theda Sandiford of JC exhibits Mixed-Media Artworks at JCTC & JCAST first appeared on River View Observer.

   A Thousand Artists Display Works in Hundreds of Venues

 By RVO Staff

Art lovers everywhere are invited to share in the love that is the 26^th annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour where more than 1,000 artists will fling open the doors to hundreds of venues for viewers to see their paintings, sculptures, mixed-media and other exciting works.

The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST) takes place Sat & Sun, Oct. 8 & 9, from 12 noon to 6 pm throughout Jersey City. (For a map of whoâ€s who and where to go visit Jersey City Hall, local restaurants, clubs and other business establishments in the city.) The JCAST is presented by Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the JC Municipal Council and the Office of Cultural Affairs.

Many artists are exhibiting in groups in lots of galleries like the Mary Benson Gallery in Jersey City. There, photographer Beth Achenbach will be joined by David Dzemian (painting), Renee Dwyer (ink on paper) and Kayt Hester (tape on canvas).

A highlight is the city-wide photography project, “A Day in the Life of Jersey City†sponsored by Honey and the Moon Photography in Jersey City. The professional photographers put a call out to local residents to take pictures on Sept. 18 and then upload them to Instagram. Forty-eight pictures were chosen and will be on display on a banner in front of City Hall and at the JCAST Flagship Gallery at 150 Pacific Avenue in Jersey City throughout the tour.

The JCAST weekend also features plays, live music performances and cultural programming in open studios, galleries, public spaces and mixed-use venues.

“The JCAST showcases the vibrant cultural landscape that is Jersey City from the Heights, to Greenville, to Downtown, to the West Side, to Bergen Lafayette and Journal Square,” Mayor Fulop states on the JCAST website (www.thejcast.com). “Support our local artists by visiting their exhibits and purchasing their work, and engage with your neighbors during one of the biggest annual art events in the region. Itâ€s an event you donâ€t want to miss!”

The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour provides opportunities for artists, performers, musicians, residents, visitors, supporters, sponsors, businesses, and the community to get involved in Jersey City’s arts and cultural scene during the event weekend.

There will also be interactive activities for kids.

Galleries participating in the JCAST include The Raven Gallery & Boutique, Merseles Studios
Curious Matter, Mary Benson Gallery, 313 Gallery, The JCAST Flagship Gallery and many, many more.  Painting, drawing, dance, film & video, fashion, glass, murals, public art, printmaking, sculpture, theatre, and weaving will be on display all weekend. (The JCAST Flagship Gallery will be open on weekends throughout October.)
Village West Gallery
Archetype Gallery/660 Studios
St. Joseph’s School for the Blind
S Panepinto Galleries
Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation (ESKFF)
Project Greenville
107 Bowers Gallery & ArtSpace
LITM

• CURATORS •
Meghan McKee
Pro Arts
Andrea Morin
Blair Urban Art & Design
Honey and Moon Photography
Heidi Curko/JC Public Schools
Andrea McKenna
Nyugen Smith

• PERFORMERS •
Art House Productions
Nimbus Dance Works
Speranza Theatre Company
Jersey City Theater Center
No Peeking Theatre

• FILM GROUPS •
Jersey City Parks Coalition
Stephanie Daniels
Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City
Jersey City International Television and Film Festival-JCITFF
Black Maria Film Festival

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
TRANSPORTATION

150 Pacific is located approximately 2 miles from the Grove Street and Exchange Place PATH stops and approximately 3 miles from Journal Square.

150 Pacific is conveniently located near Exit 14B on I-78. The Flagship is accessible via car, bicycle, NJTransit buses, and the Light Rail.

The JCAST will provide transportaion to and from the flagship location and select official JCAST stops via shuttles service from 280 Grove Street, City Hall. Stay tuned for times and locations.

Community bike advocacy group Bike JC will run free bike tours throughout the event weekends.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

#JCAST2016 • October 8th & 9th, 2016 • Presented by Mayor Steven Fulop, the JC Municipal Council and the Office of Cultural Affairs

The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour provides opportunities for artists, performers, musicians, residents, visitors, supporters, sponsors, businesses and the community to get involved in Jersey City’s arts and cultural scene during the event weekend.

Be a part of our 26th year celebration this October and support #JCArts!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
THANK YOU TO OUR 2016 SPONSORS:

• Eden Wood Realty: www.edenwoodrealty.com
• State of New Jersey: http://nj.gov/
• Jersey City Economic Development Agency: http://www.jcedc.org/
• Freeman Design
• Goldman Sachs: www.goldmansachs.com

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2016 PARTNERS:
• Art House Productions • Bike JC • Citi Bike JC • Freeman Decorating

For more information, please visit: www.thejcast.comIf you go

Sat & Sun, Oct. 8 & 9, 12 noon-6 pm

26^th annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour

Throughout Jersey City

www.thejcast.com

 Pick up a Studio Tour Map at Jersey City Hall and other locations

The post ART CITY    Jersey City Art & Studio Tour Weekend kicks-off Sat & Sun, Oct. 8 & 9 first appeared on River View Observer.

Read what is happening at jcast this weekend!

 JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, and the Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs present the 2014 Jersey City Art & Studio Tour, a FREE self-guided tour featuring more than a 130 galleries, artist studios and pop-up exhibition spaces. The tour will take place from 12 pm to 6:00 pm throughout the city on Saturday, October 18th and Sunday, October 19th.

The 24th Annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour is a weekend celebration of Jersey Cityâ€s diverse and burgeoning art scene that features over 600 artists and venues that include galleries, studios, public art, live music and performances, food, drink and parties. This year’s exhibitions include visual art, multimedia, film, music, performance and everything in-between.

Every year the tour attracts thousands of visitors during its two-day run. The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour is New Jerseyâ€s premier art and cultural event, and is free and open to the public. 

“Jersey City has one of the most vibrant arts communities in the region and the Annual Studio Tour is a way for residents and visitors to view the art, meet artists, purchase artwork and support our growing arts community,” said Mayor Fulop.  “In addition to dozens of new sites throughout the city, the tour this year also includes an interactive website with a geolocation feature and mobile apps.”

The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour Kick-Off Party is open to the public and will be held from 6 pm to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17th on J. Owen Grundy Park at Exchange Place, featuring opera by Roland Burks, dance performance by Your Move: New Jersey’s Modern Dance Festival, and live music with Manouche Bag,Sylvana Joyce & The Moment, the Milwaukees, and Cecilia Celeste.

The Village neighborhood in Downtown Jersey City has flourished over the past year and will be bustling with events over the JCAST weekend, including “The Whiskey Rebellion” at Village West Gallery, The Original Fifty8 Reunion Show at Mary Benson Gallery, and The Raven Galleryâ€s Group Exhibition “Nesting.”

The Bergen/Lafayette and Greenville neighborhoods have also expanded their participation with more than 15 separate exhibitions that include an afternoon of visual art and music in Ummiâ€s Living Village Community Garden at 612 Communipaw on Saturday, Raku and Pottery Throwing demos at Evening Star Studios, and a “Glass Jam” at the glass art studio of Larry Feldman.

This yearâ€s Jersey City Art & Studio Tour features a personalized online guide at www.thejcast.com that makes it easier than ever to find clusters of activated arts areas in all major neighborhoods. Visitors can find events nearby with an advanced geolocation feature that pin-points your neighborhood and offers event suggestions in your radius with walking and driving directions.  Visitors can search by artist, venue, and neighborhood with the advanced search tool and get up to date details on what’s happening.

Printed Tour Maps can be obtained from our Tour Welcome Tents at the Grove Street PATH Plaza, City Hall and various locations around Jersey City during the weekend. Complimentary upgraded shuttle busses will run in 15 minute intervals on the following routes:

Route 1:
– Grove Street PATH
– 150 Bay Street
– Erie Street & Pavonia Avenue
– 500 Palisade Avenue
– Perishing Field (the Heights)
– Newark Ave / Brunswick St

Route 2:
– Grove Street PATH
– Newark Avenue & Brunswick Street
– 399 Halladay Street
– 11 Monitor Street
– 612 Communipaw Avenue
– 660 Grand Street

Route 3:
– Grove Street PATH
– 136 Magnolia Street / Art House Productions
– 888 Newark Avenue / Mana Contemporary (Saturday Only)
-  50 Dey Street / Canco Lofts
– 2039 Kennedy Blvd. / NJCU Galleries
– 128 Winfield Avenue / Project Greenville
– 140 MLK Drive / Bethune Center

Tour Highlights:

Bergen/Lafayette:
The Shua Group - http://thejcast.com/item/shua-group-performance/ – World famous percussionists STEPHAN GARIN (France) and SAM SOWRYDA (New York) and dancer/choreographer TZVETA KASSABOVA join Shua Group (Jersey City) for a performance of live percussion, dance and light. Audiences move through an environment of immersive drumming on steel beams, hand held spotlights and ghostly movement. Set in a former metal working garage in Jersey City and the space of artist Elaine Hansen.

The Heights:

500 Palisade – Community exhibition featuring over 50 participating artists, including the curated show “Don’t Play With Fire.”

126 Sherman Avenue - http://thejcast.com/item/bojana-coklyat/ – Artists Bojana Coklyat and Michael DiFeo met over a year ago at an art show in Jersey City and are now living together, creating new works in their “artnest” in the Heights! Come over and help them celebrate new inspiration and a collaborative vision.

Journal Square:

Mana Contemporary – 2nd, 4th, 5th Floors – Saturday only, 12-6

136 Magnolia Avenue, Art House Productions - http://thejcast.com/item/art-house-productions-obsolescence/ – Inaugural visual art show at Art House Production’s new location: How do contemporary artists engage with obsolete ideas, materials, processes or technology? Do they infuse the obsolete with something new, or embrace it on its own terms. Is there something to be had from mining what might seem passé? The artists of Obsolescence present alternatives and opinions if not answers to that quandary.

150 Dey Street, Canco Lofts – Group exhibition and multimedia displays.

Downtown:

Dylan Egon at Marco & Pepe – “22” - http://thejcast.com/item/dylan-egon/

The Drawing Rooms – 180 Grand Street – 2 full floors of group exhibition.

Alley Cat Gallery – Alley on Coles between 4th & 5th, featuring Beth Achenbach and The Silver Sculptor
114 Brunswick – Iris Records Presents Michael Ambrose

29 McWilliams Place – Community exhibition featuring mural artist Mark Samsonovich, Reviv JC, The Farm Mechanic and more

247 10th Street – Bar Luca: Community exhibition “Book Arts & Literary Wonders” with Instigatorzine, Lucy Rovetto, and more.

The Mayorâ€s Office, Jersey City Municipal Council and the Office of Cultural Affairs are grateful for the support of our generous JCAST 2014 Sponsors, Bank of America and SILVERMAN.

 Photo of Mural by Finlain Magee-Remembering Clouds 

The post 2014 Jersey City Art & Studio Tour East Coast’s Fastest Growing Art Scene Features Hundreds of Artists and Exhibitions, Galleries, and Live Entertainment first appeared on River View Observer.