Red Bank Local Curates Virtual Art Show Amid Pandemic

RED BANK, NJ - Textile designer, author and Red Bank-based artist Jordan Grace Robinson’s latest project will see her written work come to life, taking the form of a multidisciplinary art exhibition loosely based on her original poetry.

Inspired by a compilation of poems Robinson recently self-published, the exhibition - dubbed "Looking Ahead" - opened its virtual doors on Dec. 4. Hosted by newly-opened performance space Ghost Harbor Creative in Asbury Park, each piece centers around the theme of a brighter future ahead.

"This was entirely volunteer based and my first time curating," said Robinson. Robinson is an alumni of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and earned her AAS degree in fashion merchandising from Brookdale Community College. “I created a prospectus and a Call For Multidisciplinary Artists throughout Monmouth County ... which ran Oct. 1 through Nov. 1. The inspiration for artists stated: ‘Inspired by moments of joy, hope, laughter, and life when the sweet moment comes where we can safely reunite with family and friends.’”

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Due to the financial hardships the vast majority of artists are facing amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Robinson created a "fair playing field" for artists to be able to submit an entry free-of-charge. Twelve artists submitted an entry and seven were selected, with eight featured artists slated to earn 100 percent earnings of their work sold.

While initial exhibition opening plans consisted of a livestream with the artists discussing their work at the venue followed by a limited space public walkthrough, the exhibition team opted for a fully virtual opening as COVID-19 spikes flared up across the region.

Exhibiting artists instead pre-recorded their own artist talks and poetry readings from their home studios. An introduction and virtual walkthrough segment was also pre-recorded filmed by videographer Josh Bishop. The final result was a cohesive 30-minute virtual opening reception that has been viewed nearly 1,000 times over the course of a week - a testament to the persistence and dedication of all the creative locals involved in the project.

“I hope the show’s prompt and pieces on exhibit will inspire fellow artists to create their own exhibitions centered around an uplifting prompt,” Robinson told Patch. “Whether your goal is to be a curator or not, creating and hosting an exhibition is a wonderful resume builder and therapeutic for the soul in times of world-wide felt hardships. I also hope the exhibition serves as a big hug and a reminder to believe in a better future."

"Looking Ahead: A Juried Exhibition" features Jill Carlock, Nicole Clark, Maryann Costa, Iris-Kufert-Rivo, Anna Kurtz (Routeword), Haley Potter, Jordan G. Robinson, and Carla Valentino.

The exhibition runs until Jan. 10, 2021.

Click here to view the opening reception video: https://fb.watch/2gLUoNIQMr/

For private in-person gallery walkthroughs, contact Caroline Davidson at Ghost Harbor Creative at 732-580-1543 or info@ghostharborcreative.com.