When I learned that this year’s Newark Arts Festival theme was Radical Reimagining, I immediately knew that my Blackity Black Blanket belonged in the exhibition. The concept of Radical Reimagining challenges us to envision a world where art, culture, and connection shape everything we do. It’s a call to deconstruct the systems of oppression we know and to co-create communities based on equity and justice. Blackity Black Blanket fits right into this narrative by addressing the very real, yet often invisible, impact of racial gaslighting.
Blackity Black Blanket speaks to my personal experiences of racial gaslighting—those subtle, undermining comments that push me to doubt my own understanding of racism. Phrases like, “Are you sure it was about race?” or “You’re being overly dramatic,” are attempts to dismiss my reality and avoid difficult conversations. Over time, these interactions have weighed heavily on me, resulting in insomnia, anxiety, and emotional baggage that feels impossible to carry alone.
In creating this piece, I am reclaiming my power and crafting an aesthetic armor. The blanket, woven from recovered commercial fishing nets and adorned with thousands of black zip ties, acts as a shield—both literally and symbolically. It’s a form of self-protection against the weight of gaslighting, and through this work, I exorcise the demons of doubt that these interactions have instilled in me.
In the spirit of Radical Reimagining, Blackity Black Blanket embodies the idea of using art to confront uncomfortable truths and to build a world where marginalized voices are honored, heard, and protected. Just as Radical Reimagining calls us to reshape society, my work pushes for the acknowledgment and dismantling of racial gaslighting as we strive for a more just future.
Radical Reimagining
Dates: October 9 – December 1
Location: Newark Museum of Art; 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ
How does culture impact a community? Each of us has our own thoughts, perceptions, behaviors, and expressions based on our lived experience. Adopting a cross-cultural perspective starts with listening and learning from others who are different from us, and appreciating the beauty of how they experience and show up in the world.
The Newark Arts Festival 2023 signature exhibition, open to the public from September 27 through October 29, will provide Cross Cultural Perspectives in a truly powerful way: through the visual arts. This poignant exhibition will enhance each attendee’s cultural experience by providing a rich bounty of diverse viewpoints, artistic mediums, and voices to be valued.
My work Politics of Hair will be on display at the Newark Museum of Art during the festival and I will be at the opening on the 27th.
Cross Cultural Perspectives: Newark Arts Festival 2023
Exhibition Dates: September 27- October 29, 2023
Location: Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ
The 20th year anniversary of the Newark Arts Festival 2021 is October 7 through 10, 2021.
My Middle Passage installation of 3 emotional baggage carts will be in the Newark Arts Headquarters at 609 Broadstreet, Newark NJ.
I plan to be at the Festival for the opening on Thursday October 7th and bopping around the festive that weekend. DM me if you want to link and gallery hop.
Covid Protocols: To enter the Newark Arts Headquarters (609 Broad Street), all will be required to show a vaccination card or negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Masks and social distancing are mandatory.
It is shaping up to to a busy Fall art season for me and you are invited to join in on the fun. Here is the run down of my upcoming shows. I’d love to see you and have a glass of wine.
See the final tapestry created during the Sewing Circle series from July. She is a massive 10’x 8′ sight to behold. The work of artists Kevin Blythe Sampson, Fred Scruton, and me, Theda Sandiford is spotlighted in the Art Center’s fall exhibitions. The shows will open with a reception on Friday, September 28, from 6:30-8:30 PM.
Fall Exhibitions Opening Reception
DATE: Friday, September 28, 2018
TIME: 6:30-8:30PM
LOCATION: Visual Arts Center of NJ;Â 68 Elm St, Summit, New Jersey 07901
A pure celebration of expression, music, femininity, and belief in oneself. A confirmation of life repeated as a cannon of ‘I am who I am.’ There is a place for all of our being; the sexy, the demure, the loud and the reticent. On our own terms of being in our own skin when and how we need to be: Ella, Eartha, Grace, Diahann, Billie, and Nina (YES! Nina) taught us and made way for the Cardi’s, Beyonce’s and Nikki’s of this world.
Women of Wonder Closing Party
DATE: Sunday,September 30, 2018
TIME: 5:00-8:00pm
LOCATION: LITM 140 Newark Avenue, Jersey City NJ. From Manhattan take the Path to Groove Street.
This is the first show of Jerry Saltz’s work in New York, containing paintings, photographs, historical items, and of course, his literary quotes. Take a visual trip through the lifetime and art of someone who believes da Vinci probably didn’t paint Salvator Mundi, that copyright is dead, and that the best coffee comes in a double gulp cup from a gas station.
On View: Daily October 1st through October 7th, Noon to 6pm or by appointment
Opening Reception: October 1st, 6-9pm
Jerry Saltz: An Introspective Opening Reception
DATE: Monday October 1, 2018
TIME: 6:00-9:00PM
LOCATION: Lazy Susan Gallery:191 Henry Street, New York, NY
If you plan on coming please RSVP to get on the list.
Nice/Nasty and Everything In-Between, featuring contemporary, and postmodern women artists and performers, Curated by Armisey Smith as part of Newark Arts Festival on October 4th – October 7th. Stop on by the opening reception October 4th, 6-10 PM OR the closing party on 10/7 from 4-7pm. I have another JCAST opening on the 4th so I hope to see you at the closing!
Nice/Nasty and Everything In-Betweenat the Newark Arts FestivalÂ
OPENING: Thursday, October 4th, 6:00-10:00pm
CLOSING: Sunday, October 7th, 4:00-7:00pm
LOCATION: The Historic Hahne & Co. Building 52 Halsey St, Newark, NJ
Diversity is synonymous with Jersey City and it’s artists are no exception.
This exhibit is an example of artists who live here, work here, who explore, create and enrich this complex but wonderful city.
It’s where artists thrive and are encouraged to be who they are.
A part of The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour!!
Gallery hours for the tour are Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th
12:00pm to 6:00pm. The show runs until November 11th.
ChromoZones: The Diverse Artistry of Jersey City
Opening Reception
DATE Friday, October 5th
TIME: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
LOCATION: Art House Productions; 262 17th Street , Jersey City, NJ
Welcome to Fight Club Size: 20 x 20 in Framed Size: 22 x 22 x 1 in Medium: Digital Print On Metallic Photo Paper Subject Matter: Corporate America Creation Date: August 2017
This year the ProArts Members Show during JCAST will focus on work presenting artists’ identification of themselves as part of something greater. Interpretation of this theme is wide: It may be political or personal but concentrated on a sense of group and/or “individual identification.” THE SHOW RUNS October 5th through October 7th.
Who Are We? Who Am I? – PRO ARTS Member Exhibit
DATE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
LOCATION: Grace Church Van Vorst 39 ERIE ST, Jersey City, NJ
Please join me while I open my studio/gallery for the annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST) on both Saturday and Sunday, October 6th and 7th from Noon to 5pm. I will be at the studio all day on Saturday working and demoing my collage and printing process. On display will be small abstract landscapes works from my trip to St. Croix earlier this year, along with a new series of self portrait print collages I’ve been working on this Summer.
Two Views @ JCAST
DATES: Saturday, October 6 and Sunday October 7th
TIMES: 12:00-5:00pm
LOCATION: Garden Level Gallery; 315 3rd Street Jersey City. Between Cole and Monmouth Streets.
From Manhattan take the Path to Groove Street and walk up Newark Avenue.
“Ocean Front View, #2” This was the view from the beach front condo in Christiansted St. Croix. Can you see the palms, people, beach and surf?
IMMIGRATION or BIRTHRIGHT? curated by Atim Annette Oton of Calabar Gallery
Constructing Identities is an exhibition by a group of artists weaving real life and imagined stories of Immigrants from Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and the Caribbean with stories of perceived and real birthright of the “original†people.
IMMIGRATION or BIRTHRIGHT?
DATE: Friday October 5, Saturday October 6 and Sunday October 7th
TIME: 11:30AM- 6:00PM
LOCATION: 242 10th Street, Suite 6 Jersey City, NJ 07302
“Body Anomaly: Arts Unbound” includes six woman artists who each have a physical disability, a body glitch. Each reveals a complex relationship to their physical anomaly through their art; living with physical limitations, physical and emotional pain, body shape and image differences, and discrimination. Each artist examines how to work with, adapt to, and negotiate their unique physical anomaly, visible or – as for four of the artists – invisible, informs their art making.
Please join me for the Opening reception October 18 from 6-8pm. The show runs through March 16, 2019.
“Body Anomaly: Arts Unbound”
DATE: Thursday, October 18, 2018
TIME: 6:00-8:00pm
LOCATION: Window Gallery at Paul Robeson Galleries, The Hahnes Building 54 Halsey Street, 3rd Floor, Newark, NJ 07102
Gallery Hours:
Monday-Wednesday, 12pm-5pm
Thursday, 12pm-8pm
Saturday, 12pm-5pm
