JERSEY CITY—October 26, 2022—Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) hosts a gallery art exhibition opening and short documentary film screening of " Marion Gardens, Building Strong Communities " featuring the work of 2022 Jersey City Summer Youth Mural Arts Program participants on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at White Eagle Hall (337 Newark Ave., Jersey City).

The Jersey City Summer Youth Mural Arts Program is a hands-on, intensive muralist workshop for young artists led by fine artist and filmmaker Duda Penteado and fine artist and muralist Catherine Hart, both from Jersey City. Thirty art students ages 13 to 25 participated in 2022's six-week program and worked on a large mural inspired by the family stories, cultural and community events of Marion Gardens Housing Community in Jersey City.

" Marion Gardens, Building Strong Communities "JC - Youth Summer Mural Arts Program 2022 , a short documentary film directed by Duda Penteado and produced by Unshakeable Productions, captures the creative process of the student artists, who formed small teams to work on specific sections of the wall. Throughout the six weeks, participants received instruction on public art techniques, concept development, surface preparation, design enlargement, paint application, and preservation of outdoor art.

The mural is meant to inspire dialogue within the community of Jersey City. The students worked together with the art instructors putting together the final layout that would be placed on the wall, selecting inspiring figures, places, community and cultural elements from Marion Gardens Housing Community in Jersey City. "The program also instills in students a comprehensive work ethic that is essential to a future career as professional artists.

2022 art students participants are as follows; Emily Adams, Sky Alvorado, Imani Anighoro, Coda Camaya, Yanise Edmond, Frank Gadson, Rakeelah Gardner, Barbara Gochis, Elias Hernandez, Leigh Isaac, Keshavee Khera, William Kunga, Muhammad Masood, Amina Masum, Exodus Medina, Phoenix Medina, Ria Monga, Trisha Naurang, Sariah Olivera, Zhania Scull, Isha Sidibay, Kate Smigie, Emma Spadora, Brooklyn Spencer, Shania Wendel.

The program team includes Brooke Hansson, Director of JCMAP & Jersey City Summer Youth Arts Program (JCYMAP) under the Office of Cultural Affairs. Duda Penteado, Fine Artist & Filmmaker and Creative Director, Jersey City Youth Summer Public Art Program (JCYMAP) ; Catherine Hart, Fine Artist & Muralist and Art Instructor, Jersey City Youth Summer Public Art Program (JCYMAP) Maya Sanders, Lead Art Student & Administrative Assistant ; LucPaul Adams, Art Student & Assistant Project Coordinator; and Bukola Adeleye, Art Student & Assistant Project Coordinator.

About Jersey City Mural Arts Program

Jersey City Mural Arts Program's mission is to activate and inspire through public art. Since 2013, over 200 large-scale murals have been painted throughout the city by a mix of local, national, and international artists. For more information: https://jcmap.org

About Jersey City Theater Center

Founded in 2006, Jersey City Theater Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organization committed to inspiring conversations about important issues of our times through the arts. For more information: https://jctcenter.org