The expansion work began in December of 2014. But the vision first saw the light of possibility two years before. And the vision is looking clearer every day.
The Gateway Center is a curious place when you step back and look at it. Commuters enjoy the ease of access from New York, South Jersey, Hudson County, or wherever they catch the train from to their respective office/cubicle/desk. The enclosed overpasses and winding hallways are a welcome reprieve when its too cold or wet or slushy outside. However, there are some who resent the wall that keeps commuters and out-of-towners from dipping more than their toe into the pool of downtown Newark.
Enter: The Gateway Project
Two years ago, The Gateway Project opened in the main concourse at Gateway 2. Rebecca Jampol, gallerist and owner of Solo(s) Project House here in Newark and R. Jampol Projects in New York opened the space and brought art exhibitions out into the hallways and corridors throughout Gateway 2. Initially, the gallery occupied 14,000 square feet. Things will look a bit different when The Gateway Project is finished construction and reopens April 30th. And by “a bit” I mean a lot!
Literally expanding from 14,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet, The Gateway Project will include over 60 artist studios as well as the gallery space. There will also be two free artist residencies rotating every 6 months. What I was most impressed (if the sheer size and scope wasn’t enough) was the inclusive approach being taken within the artist community and for the sake of the city in general. I got to chat with the directors Rebecca Jampol and Jasmine Wahi about the expansion and their vision for the space. When I asked what kind of artists do they envision occupying the studios, the answer was “cultural practitioners”. That means painters, sculptors, photographers, videographer, editors, graphic designers, writers, etc.
The Gateway Project is also partnering with the folks at Hotel Indigo to host open studio events every two months, and afterparties at SKYLAB. Think about that for a moment. That’s quite literally pulling people who will regularly be coming into Newark from all over New Jersey and New York past the walls of the city in into the streets of Newark.
And that is a real gateway.
