Late Hoboken/Jersey City Artist To Be Remembered Friday Night With Open Studios, Music

HOBOKEN, NJ — When Hoboken resident and Jersey City native Donna O'Grady, 60, passed away last month, she left much more than her paintings.

"Those who knew Donna understood that she was restless: never one to let the grass grow under her feet, eager not to waste a moment of life," said an obituary. "She had an infectious spirit, collecting friends, allies and stories ... Donna supported other artists and encouraged others to do the same ... The common thread throughout was Donna's desire to share her experiences of places she had been and her fascination with light and depth."

Now, O'Grady's friends and admirers will host a celebration, art exhibit, and open-gallery event Friday night to memorialize her and show off her art. The show will take place at the Neumann Leathers Building near the Hoboken/Jersey City border, home to numerous artist studios.

O'Grady painted growing up in Jersey City, as a teen at Manchester Regional High School in North Haledon, and later in Ringwood, before sharing studio space in the building, the obit says.

Friday's event is called "In Memory of Donna L. O'Grady."

"Join us as we celebrate the life of one of Hoboken's most treasured artists," says the invite. "the event brings together her love of art and music under the same roof as her treasured art studio."

Musical performances will be held on the fourth floor by Walter Parks, Christine Santelli, and the Hudson City Rats.

Various art studios will be open throughout the building.

The event will take place May 27 from 8-11 p.m. The building is located at 300 Observer Highway. BYOB.

Find out more about the event here.

Donations can be made in O'Grady's memory to Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Eleni Andreopoulou Breast Cancer Research. Mail check to: Tom Nicols, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., Box 314, New York, NY. Or make a gift online at: GIVE.WEILL.CORNELL.EDU