Newark Mosaic: Immigration Stories from La Casa de Don Pedro from Leo Aristimuno.

A quick drive down Bloomfield Avenue, in North Newark, reveals scores of restaurants from all over the world. The neighborhood’s old Italian bakeries and pizzerias have been replaced by restaurants from places like Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Haiti, Honduras, Brazil. Indeed, the diversity of cuisines served and languages spoken on Bloomfield Avenue reflect the latest wave of immigration that has shaped Newark’s cultural life.

At the heart of this diversity is La Casa de Don Pedro. La Casa has been providing services to the community for almost thirty years, and its services are adapting to reflect the changing populations of Newark.

Our latest video features the stories of three women who have recently migrated to the United States – from Vietnam, Mexico, and Ecuador. Through their words, we learn how La Casa has become an invaluable organization and welcoming second home to the newest Newarkers.

We also interviewed La Casa’s Executive Director, Ray Ocasio, who credits La Casa’s generous staff and volunteers for the organization’s growth and continued success.

Learn more about La Casa de Don Pedro by visiting their website or various locations throughout Newark.

Twestival Newark 2010 from Leo Aristimuno.

What is a Twestival?

Twestival (or Twitter Festival) is an annual, global event that uses social media for social good.

On one day in March, over 200 international cities hold a local event that brings together social media enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, activists, and friends – all gathering to raise awareness to a social cause and raise funds for charity.

Lindsey Holmes, CEO of LCH Business, organized Newark’s second annual Twestival in March, 2010. The evening brought together some of Newark’s most dynamic young entrepreneurs and social media leaders both to raise funds for Concern Worldwide and to discuss the impact of social media on their businesses and communities.

TwestivalNewark returns on March 24, 2011.

Visit newark.twestival.com for more details.

Video by Leo Aristimuno for The Newark Mosaic. Assistant Editing by Enzo Domingo.

Animodules are works of art animated by the love, dedication, and creativity of Newark’s youth. In this short piece about The Barat Foundation’s Animodules project, Gary and Chandri Barat share a glimpse into their studio space and the magic behind these Newark originals. Featuring students from Newark’s Early College High School.

To learn more about the Animodules, visit the Barat Foundation’s studio at 765 Broad St., Newark, NJ 07102.

Watch the Animodules march in the Newark Arts Parade , Thursday, September 23, 2010, along Broad Street in Downtown Newark.  500-600 kids will march with these amazing Animodules, marching bands, and a surprise Grand Marshall will host the festivities!

Jypsea Studio Launch with Meca McKinney from Leo Aristimuno on Vimeo.

On March 26, 2010, Meca McKinney launched her design studio and the Fall 2010 collection of her line: Jypsea “eclectic, hand-crafted” leather goods. Newark Mosaic was there to capture the beauty, originality, style, and all the good vibes of this dynamic collaborative event.

In this video, Meca also shares her appreciation for Newark’s art scene, her love of design, and her future plans for Jypsea.

Meca’s studio is located in the Solo(s) Project House on Broad Street in downtown Newark.

For more information, contact Meca by email inquiry@jypsea.com.

In this video

• Jypsea Eclectic Handcratfted Leather Goods
• Meca’s Studio space is in the Solo(s) Project House, 972 Broad St., Newark, NJ 07102 T: 973.688.8079
• Nic Fish Women’s Wear
• Face Painting by Gizem Bacaz
• Art work by Clarence Rich (Recommended article “Who is Clarence Rich?” on GlocallyNewark.com)

Urban Farming in Newark: Lincoln Park Community Farm Launch from Leo Aristimuno.

On July 14, 2010, Newark’s Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District hosted a launch event for its Community Farm, a community supported agriculture program.

The Lincoln Park Community Farm offers local residents fresh organic food grown in the heart of downtown Newark.

In this video, we learn about the farm’s role in local redevelopment and the hydroponic methods used to grow its organic vegetables.

The launch event featured “Jazz at Sun Set” with trumpeter James Gibbs III sponsored by “An Afternoon of Jazz” at the 5th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival

The array of nutrient rich produce available at the Lincoln Park Community Farm includes: zucchini, kale, collards, red and green lettuce, romaine, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, mustard greens, okra, cucumbers, radishes, beans, beets, broccoli, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, chard, watermelon, cantaloupe, and carrots.

Located at 18 Beecher Street, one block from the corner of Lincoln Park and Broad St., the farm will remain open each year through early October.

View OBJECTS AND MEMORY

“Objects and Memory” uses photography to document specific objects that connect our city’s immigrants to their native culture. These objects evoke memories of their distant lands, remind them of their migration journeys, or symbolize the beginning of a new life in the US. They are symbols of pride, pain, joy, nostalgia, family, memory, and rebirth.

For this project, we collaborated with students from Rutgers Newark Professor Nick Kline’s photography classes.

Our call for submissions invited students to identify someone who has migrated from another country and now resides in Newark. Our photographers then asked their subjects to select three “objects of memory” and to share why these objects are significant in their lives. The three objects were then assembled photographed in one image.
We then assembled the best photographs and the stories behind the objects.

The resulting photo-essay provides a compelling “mosaic,” a portrait of the many individuals who have adopted Newark as their new homes. Each photograph, each object, each story is unique. Yet they all share one common experience: the challenge of leaving home and starting life in a new land.

View OBJECTS AND MEMORY

I would like to thank each and every individual who contributed their stories to this project. My gratitude also goes out to Nick Kline and all the students who participated in this project.

LEO ARISTIMUÑO
Producer/Editor
The Newark Mosaic

GlassRoots provides the youth of Newark, NJ, a unique opportunity to develop their confidence through the creation of glass art.

Glass Roots was founded in January 2001 with the belief that communities can be transformed and elevated through the arts.

We knew that the youth of our community held enormous potential which could be realized if only they were empowered with the gift of creative self-expression. By teaching our students how to master this tradecraft, we not only reveal their immense creative potential, but also tap the cognitive abilities which can help them with school, work, and life.

This video was produced by our associate producer Rosie Uyola, a graduate student at the Graduate Program in American Studies, Rutgers-Newark. All rights reserved by Rosie Uyola.

By Monica De Leon

Metamorphis, by Belmira Silva. Photo by Oman Hassan. See more photos in the gallery below.

Throughout the fall months of 2010, visitors to the Main Library’s third floor gallery were welcomed by a beautiful, yet haunting portrait of a woman. The soft details of her face gave her a delicate appearance, but two black holes for eyes and a clown-like smile revealed a darker, enigmatic side to the piece.

The portrait, entitled “Metamorphis,” was one of the many featured in “The GlassBook Project,” an exhibit about traumatic experiences and survivor stories that was developed by artist Nick Kline and his students at Rutgers University.

“The GlassBook Project” was one of two exhibits currently on display at the Newark Public Library’s Main Branch through December 2010. An exhibit called “Latina Voices and Visions” was featured on the second floor.

The library has displayed a number of exhibits in previous years, ranging from cultural traditions to historical artifacts to art collections. The men responsible for putting together the collections have had an interesting experience obtaining and collecting the unique pieces featured in the exhibits.

“I don’t know if it’s what I expected,” says Chad Leinaweaver, who works in Special Collections for the library. “But it’s fun exploring something new, something you don’t much about.”

Leinaweaver, who has been at the library for over four years, specializes in rare book manuscripts. His partner, Jared Ash, who has also been at the library for a little over four years, has an eye for art.

The Special Collections department was formed from the Reference Division, they said.
“Anything they collected that was odd or couldn’t quite fit into a category they gave it to Special Collections,” says Leinaweaver.

The growth of the collection is evident in the men’s office. Stacks of folders, posters, and other paperwork are piled high, some leaning due to the excess weight. Labeled bins are crammed together with books and more paperwork, and even the men’s desks are covered with miscellaneous books and artwork. Book carts are everywhere, stacked with piles of books and random items.

“Obviously we can’t collect everything,” says Leinaweaver. “But we collect what we can.”

The collections in the office include books and pieces from artists, mostly from New Jersey. Along with those pieces, there are the fun things, like a donated collection of Christmas books and decorated shopping bags. The majority of the pieces are donated or loaned, but dedicated funds enable the library purchase more extravagant items.

Photo by Pratik Patel

Still, says Ash, “Sometimes the best things you get are donated.”

The Special Collections office has obtained thousands of pieces throughout the years, and many have been featured exhibits in the library. The men try their best to grant access to anyone who is interested in both current and past pieces, even once they’re put into storage.

“We want to bring art to people aren’t necessarily art seekers,” says Ash. “All you need to do is set up an appointment and we will certainly grant access for whatever reason.”

The men are keen on bringing art to the community that is relevant. John Cotton Dana, who worked for the library and founded the Newark Museum, was a firm believer that learning went beyond reading – to looking and listening and other ways. Like him, Ash and Leinaweaver want to help people become aware of a broader community through the collections.

Their hard work is paying off.

Eddie Acevedo, 22, a Newark resident, comes to the library every now and then when he has free time. As he looks upon the various pieces in the Glassbook Project, he scratches his head and looks a bit puzzled.

“Do you understand any of this?” he asks quietly.

After reading through some of the descriptions provided, Acevedo, a musician, starts to comprehend the meaning of the pieces and forms a better appreciation of the library.

“I came here to look up books to learn something new,” he says. “And I guess I really did.”

Watch a short video documentary about the Special Collections of the Newark Public Library recently produced by Samantha Johnston and Rosie Uyola, graduate students at the Graduate Program in American Studies, Rutgers-Newark.

Photo Gallery

Photographs provided by students from “Introduction to Photography” under the guidance of Instructor Nick Klein at Rutgers-Newark in fall 2010.

The Newark Public Library: Resource for Area Students

by Naina Kamath

Students use computer at The Newark Public Library. Stock image courtesy NPL.

The city’s recent budget cuts have resulted in a $2.45 million slash in funding to Newark’s public library system. As a result of those cuts, library hours have been cut, days of operation have decreased, and two branches have been closed. According to the Newark Public Library website, among those most affected by the cuts are students.

The Greater Newark Charter School is located just a few blocks south of the main branch of the Newark Public Library on Washington Street, less than a five minute walk for students. Keisha Daley, the former librarian at the charter school, who now assumes the role of primary disciplinarian, said access to library services is crucial for her students.

“It is mandatory to have book references in their projects,” said Daley. “They are not allowed to only use websites.” She added that most teachers at the charter school make sure that students still learn the value of books. However, this is not always an easy task when everything can simply be ‘Googled’.

“I had to teach some of the students how to use an encyclopedia,” said Daley, noting that many students do not even have paper dictionaries or thesauruses at home.

The Newark Public Library's Main Branch. Photo by Naina Kamath

Rekha Gandhi, the children’s librarian at the main branch of the public library on Washington Street, believes that students use library books to accent what they have found on the Internet.

“They look up everything online, but they are told they need print resources,” said Gandhi.

In addition to using the library for their studies, students use it as a place to spend their time relaxing and just enjoying the facilities.

“They have nowhere else to go, so they end up hanging out here,” said Gandhi, who believes the children of Newark need the public libraries now more than ever. “Students sometimes can’t get books or the internet at home.”

Alyssa Carrillo is the perfect example of this. Sitting in front of a computer at the main library branch on a recent Wednesday morning, the 5^th grade student said she was reading Wikipedia to expand her knowledge.

“I don’t have a computer at home,” said Carrillo, glancing away from her computer screen for only a moment as she spoke. “Sometimes I get bad grades (on my schoolwork) because I don’t have resources.”

Links for more information:

• The Newark Public Library (http://www.npl.org)
• Save Newark Libraries (http://savenewarklibraries.org/)
• Newark Public Library Faces Cuts (6/29/2010 The Star Ledger)

Newark Mosaic: Jazz on the Portico, Summer 2010 from Leo Aristimuno on Vimeo.

Jazz on the Portico Concert, July 2010

On a hot July afternoon in downtown Newark … Broad Street was jamming! We visited “Jazz on the Portico” and were treated to a great concert with rising stars in Newark’s music scene.

Jazz on the Portico is a mentoring project where young musicians learn and play jazz alongside industry professionals, jamming for the public at the portico of historic Trinity & St. Philip’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Now in its second year, Jazz On The Portico gives young musicians the opportunity to study in master classes with world-renowned teaching artists while also providing them with on-the-job training.

The program takes place at Trinity & St. Philip’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Newark. In 2010, master classes were taught by Newark jazz legend Billy Phipps, percussionist Steve DeLuca, keyboardist Phil Field, and vocalist Dee Jackson Field. After each class, students performed a free live concert alongside their mentors at the historic Cathedral’s portico.

Newark Mosaic caught up with program director Dee Jackson Field on a hot summer afternoon in July. She shared the project’s goals and the pride she takes in seeing the apprentices evolve and shine. We also witnessed the energy of the master classes led by Billy Phipps and Jazz on the Portico’s musical director Phil Fields.

It was truly amazing to see first hand the musical talents of the masters and young apprentices alike, as they worked their way through jazz standards and new compositions and then jammed on the portico right in the heart of downtown Newark.

Aliah Sheffield sings her composition "High Hopes"

Don’t miss the incredible voice of Newark’s own Aliah Sheffield as she closes the video with her own composition “High Hopes.”

Jazz on the Portico is a part of the Youth Arts Conservatory at Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral. Youth Arts was established to provide affordable, quality arts education and enrichment programs to New Jersey’s youth.

Senior Apprenticeships are open to current or recently graduated college students and high school seniors. Junior Apprenticeships are available for 9th, 10th and 11th graders. Highly recommended younger students may also apply.

For more information about Jazz On The Portico or other Youth Arts programs, contact Dee Jackson Field by E-mail at youthartsatthecathedral[at]gmail.com or call (862) 371-5167. You can also visit www.southvalleysound.com

Wu-Kah-Ki TV: Artists on Air (Nov 2010).

The Newark Mosaic joined forces with Newark youth arts group Wu Kah Ki Theater Workshop to produce the November episode of their monthly cable access TV program “Wu Kah Ki TV.”

We are proud to post three segments from the show here on The Newark Mosaic. “Artists on Air,” features emerging singer and actor Khari Hughes. “Nikki’s Closet” features Newark’s Fashion Design Training Institute. “Community Action” features the Franklin St. John’s Community Center.

In this segment – Artists on Air – we interview emerging singer and actor Khari Hughes. Khari talks about his latest work, influences, goals, and gratitude. He also performs an original song co-produced with Rhymes-4-Reason, a music education program organized by Al-Tariq Best of FPYOUTHOUTCRY.

Over the last few months, Wu Kah Ki has been producing a show for Cablevision’s channel 19. The show airs on Tuesday nights at 11:00 pm and features Wu Kah Ki students interviewing community leaders, artists, and youth  about local events and organizations. The Newark Mosaic joined forces with this program in November, assisting the production of the show and training participants in media production skills.

The Wu-Kah-Ki Theater Workshop is an arts program designed to empower youth in the Newark and Irvington areas. They offer workshops in dance, theatre, vocal music, writing, and media production. Workshops are led by college seniors, graduate students, and professionals specializing in the arts. The program will also serve as a platform for participants to express their concerns around specific issues affecting the city’s youth.

For more information on Wu-Kah-Ki TV e-mail: players@wukahki.vpweb.com or visit their web site: http://wukahki.vpweb.com

Rhymes 4 Reasons is a music education program held in association with the Newark Housing Authority in which participants learn all aspects of the music industry.  Participants are taught the technical facets of producing, writing, and recording music from professionals in the industry in a state of the art music studio located at The Club House in Newark, NJ.  Rhymes 4 Reason is the brainchild of led by Al-Tariq Best from FPYOUTHOUTCRY. The program includes guest lectures held regularly by business and law professionals well known to the music industry who cover essential themes of the music business.  At the end of each program the graduating participants release a CD of their work. Khari Hughes will be joining the Rhymes 4 Reasons program in January, 2011.

Wu-Kah-Ki TV: Community Action (Nov 2010) from Leo Aristimuno on Vimeo.

Marqwasia interviews Ms. Debi Hall Dean

Last month, The Newark Mosaic joined forces with Newark youth arts group Wu Kah Ki Theater Workshop to produce the November episode of their monthly cable access TV program “Wu Kah Ki TV.” We’re proud to post three segments from the show here on The Newark Mosaic.
“Community Action” features the Franklin St. John’s Community Center. “Artists on Air” features emerging singer and actor Khari Hughes. “Nikki’s Closet” features Newark’s Fashion Design Training Institute.

In this segment -Community Action- Marqwasia Holmes interviews Ms. Debi Hall-Dean, Executive Director of the Franklin St. John’s Community Center in Newark’s South Ward.

Ms. Dean shares with us the many programs sponsored by the Center, including food, hygiene, and toy banks, holiday gatherings, and collaborations with other local organizations. Ms. Dean also gives us a tour of the Center and opens her heart as she describes the most gratifying aspects of doing community work.

The Franklin St. John’s Community Center was established in November 0f 1998 as a not-for-profit, faith and community based service organization aims to be a positive presence and resource for the community.  Through the years, they have offered a variety of services including After-School Care, Summer Enrichment Programs, Basketball Camps, Agape Food Pantry. Recently, they joined forces with Newark Now and  Congregation Oheb Shalom of South Orange to implement a Brighter Harvest campaign, providing 100 families with turkeys and a basket of “all the trimmings” for Thanksgiving. They also partner with Bridges of Summit to provide homeless children and seniors with a festive Christmas meal and gifts of clothing and toys. The Community Center / Partners in A.C.T.S. is almost entirely staffed by dedicated volunteers.

The Wu-Kah-Ki Theater Workshop is an arts program designed to empower youth in the Newark and Irvington areas. The purpose of this program is to develop the participant’s interests and knowledge in the Arts. The program offers students workshops in the areas of dance, theatre, vocal music, writing, and media production. Workshops are led by college seniors, graduate students, and professionals specializing in the arts. The program will also serve as a platform for the urban youth to express their concerns around specific issues affecting the city’s youth.

Wu-Kah-Ki TV: Fashion Design Training Institute in Newark (Nov 2010) from Leo Aristimuno on Vimeo.

Last month, The Newark Mosaic joined forces with Newark youth arts group Wu Kah Ki Theater Workshop to produce the November episode of their monthly cable access TV program “Wu Kah Ki TV.” We’re proud to post three segments from the show here on The Newark Mosaic.

“Nikki’s Closet” features Newark’s Fashion Design Training Institute. “Community Action” features the Franklin St. John’s Community Center. “Artists on Air” features emerging singer and actor Khari Hughes.

In this segment -Nikki’s Closet- Nicole Sturdivant interviews Ms. Olga Rosario, Executive Director of the Fashion Design Training Studio in Newark.

Ms. Rosario shares her background, her goals, and the different courses offered at The Institute. She also speaks about the successes of her students, how her Puerto Rican heritage influenced her, and the unique Latino community of North Newark.

The Fashion Design Training Studio is located at 466 Bloomfield Ave. They offer a comprehensive training program that includes courses in Fashion Drawing, Patternmaking, Fashion Sewing, Grading, Draping, and specializations in Children’s wear, Evening wear, and Sportswear. They offer job placement assistance and are approved by Department of  Labor and Workforce Development and Department of Education. For more information, call 973-732-3250 or visit their website at http://fashiondesigntrainingstudio.com.

The Wu-Kah-Ki Theater Workshop is an arts program designed to empower youth in the Newark and Irvington areas. The purpose of this program is to develop the participant’s interests and knowledge in the Arts. The program offers students workshops in the areas of dance, theatre, vocal music, writing, and media production. Workshops are led by college seniors, graduate students, and professionals specializing in the arts. The program will also serve as a platform for the urban youth to express their concerns around specific issues affecting the city’s youth.

Newark Mosaic at Open Doors 2010 : Part 1 from Leo Aristimuno on Vimeo.

“What do you want the world to know about Newark?”

This was the question we asked at The Newark Mosaic video booth during the Newark Art Council’s Open Doors 2010 arts event. Sample a few of the comments recorded by the folks who stopped in to press the red record button. (Part 1 of 6)

Newark is complex.
Newark is a city with love.
Newark is approachable.
Newark has a lot going on.
Newark is strong and proud.
Newark is old-school.
Newark is multicultural.
Newark is emerging.
Newark is family.
Newark is peaceful.
Newark is full of art.
Newark is a beautiful place full of beautiful people.
Newark is proud, warm, dignified.
Newark is full of people that love Newark.

Watch all 6 episodes to get the full scope of the answers recorded. They are varied, honest, heartfelt and, some may say, even surprising.  If you think you know Newark, you might find that, in the words of blogger Craig Schoonmaker, “You don’t know Newark.”

Special thanks to Linwood Oglesby and Jade Lien of The Newark Arts Council and to all who stopped by our  projection room and video booth at this year’s Open Doors event.

An impressive turnout for an impressive initiative. On Oct 7th, 2010, hundreds of volunteers joined hands to clean up Newark’s streets in the Eighth Annual “Gateway to a Cleaner Newark Community Cleanup.” This video courtesy of Mayor Booker’s office.

This video was posted on YouTube by CoryBookerdotcom who described the event as follows:

“Mayor Cory A. Booker, Acting Neighborhood and Recreational Services Director James Souder, and New Jersey Clean Communities Council Executive Director Sandra Huber announce the Eighth Annual “Gateway to a Cleaner Newark Community Cleanup” co-hosted by the City and the New Jersey Clean Communities Council.”

“More than 800 volunteers, including students from Newark schools, local businesses, and non-profits came out to clean up Newark’s empty lots, sweep litter from streets and remove graffiti in an effort to “Slam Dunk the Junk.”

“Partners in the event included Essex County, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the Newark Downtown District, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners, the Greater Newark Conservancy, Bank of America, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Regional Business Partnership, Integrity House, Waste Management of New Jersey, Ace Environmental Services, Covanta Energy Corporation, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, PSE&G, and the Newark Public Schools.”

Check out many more videos about the community programs throughout the City of Newark from Mayor Cory Booker’s YouTube Channel