This Vacant Storefront In Bloomfield Is Now Home To An Art Display

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — It’s a win-win for the Bloomfield community: vacant storefronts get a way to attract new tenants, and residents get a cheerful burst of art to brighten their day. That’s the idea behind a new initiative being spearheaded by the Bloomfield Center Alliance (BCA).

Recently, the BCA teamed up with Bloomfield College to create an ad hoc art exhibit in a vacant storefront at 625 Bloomfield Avenue. The windows and doors of the property are now home to a winter-themed display of eclectic reindeers and stars. The art pieces, collectively named “Winter Reindeer Under Starry Skies,” will remain up and on display through the season (or until a new tenant takes the space).

The cool part? It's just the tip of the iceberg, according to the BCA, which gave some more details about the new campaign, which is supported with a grant from the state’s Main Street New Jersey Program:

“The new outdoor ‘gallery’ is the first effort of BCA’s Vacant Window Initiative, in which empty downtown storefronts become a temporary home for artwork that can be seen and appreciated by people passing by as they dine and shop in Bloomfield Center. The BCA reached out to a few owners of downtown properties with an empty storefront to see who would be willing to offer it up for this cause. The owner of 625 Bloomfield Avenue enthusiastically embraced the concept, and the artwork was installed the week leading up to Christmas.”

To help with the artistic element, the BCA turned to Bloomfield College and the faculty of its Division of Creative Arts and Technology. In turn, division chair Yuichiro Nishizawa connected BCA director Ollyn Lettman with adjunct professor Elizabeth Seaton, who saw a chance to showcase work from some of her student-artists, including Cynciere Amon, Edwin Ayala and Taylor Galyean.

“After making some monumental drawings earlier in the semester using oil pastels and bright tempura on recycled cardboard, the student-artists were enthusiastic about offering similar pieces, but with a wintery theme for this initiative,” Seaton said.

According to the BCA, the goal of the program is to bring attention to these types of vacant spaces and connect them with entrepreneurs who want to open a new business in Bloomfield.

“We are always looking for new ways to promote the downtown, and it’s exciting to see what other artwork we can try and bring to Bloomfield Center in the new year with the cooperation and support of other property owners,” Lettman said.

“I am grateful for the support of the Logothetis family who agreed to have their storefront host this display of colorful reindeer and stars,” Lettman added. “I also want to thank the faculty and student-artists at Bloomfield College for helping make this happen.”

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