Summer Dawn Hortillosa | The Jersey Journal

This weekend, Jersey City will come alive with more than 150 art exhibitions for the 24th annual Jersey City Artist Studio Tour (JCAST).

During the three-day spectacle, residents can visit open studios or see group shows highlighting multiple local artists.

11 MUST-SEE JCAST SHOWS

With over 150 exhibits, JCAST can be a little overwhelming. Here's our top picks to help you plan your tour route. Shows open both Saturday and Sunday unless indicated:


? Downtown/Journal Sq.: "Obsolescence," Saturday at Curious Matter, 272 Fifth St., Sunday at Art House Productions, 136 Magnolia Ave.
? Downtown: "Pro Arts JC Curators' Choice Exhibit," Jersey City Museum, 222 Montgomery St.
? Powerhouse Arts: 150 Bay Lofts open studios, 150 Bay St.
? Village: "Original 58 Gallery Reunion," Mary Benson Gallery, 369 Third St.
? Village: "The Whiskey Rebellion," Village West Gallery, 331 Newark Ave.
? JC Heights: "Don't Play With Fire," 500 Palisade Ave.
? Bergen-Lafayette: Soulful Cypher, UMMI Living Village Community Garden, 612 Communipaw Ave. Saturday only. Music and art.
? Bergen-Lafayette: 660 Studios group exhibit during tour hours, after-party until 3 a.m., 660 Grand St. Saturday only. Music and art.
? Bergen-Lafayette: "Earthly Interpretations," Evening Star Studios, 11 Monitor St. Features raku and pottery throwing demos and live music.
? West Side: NJCU hosts artist talks for "Jerseyscapes" at Visual Arts Gallery, 100 Culver Ave., and Lemmerman Gallery, 2039 Kennedy Blvd. Both Saturday only.
? Journal Square: Artists open their doors at mega art complex Mana Contemporary, 888 Newark Ave.

The tour, which is one of the city's most highly anticipated yearly events, also includes multimedia, music and performance art and coincides with the Jersey City International Television and Film Festival (there are limited free viewing tickets at will-call redeemable using code JCAST2014.)

"The Jersey City art scene has seen an explosive growth in the past year," said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill. "This year's tour seeks to spotlight new and longtime artists (and) it is our hope that guests and residents alike will be introduced to their new favorite artists and venues and strengthen the support for Jersey City arts."

This year is the first in which founding organization Pro Arts Jersey City is not partnering with the city to run the event.

"Pro Arts is no longer involved because it became just too overwhelming. It was exhausting and expensive and we decided we can't afford it anymore," said president Kay Kenny. "We're going back to putting emphasis on developing exhibitions throughout the year, not just for our members, but artists from different parts of Hudson County."

This year also brings a new level of accessibility for art tourists, with an online guide at TheJCAST.com that uses geolocation technology to give you nearby event suggestions and directions. Print maps will also be available around the city and for download on the website.

Morrill says the tour is just part of the city's ongoing campaign to promote the arts. Some of their upcoming projects include 20 new murals in 2015 and monthly art and music events.

The Jersey City Artists Studio Tour kicks off this evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at J. Owen Grundy Park at Exchange Place. The tour runs tomorrow and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Check with individual venues for specific opening hours. Don't forget South Greenville participants like Nuradeen Gallery, 424 Ocean Ave., and Project Greenville, 128 Winfield Ave.

For more info, visit TheJCAST.com.

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