Newark Arts Festival Shines with Gold Ball Celebration of Joy

Approximately 1,500 community members gathered in gold attire at the Newark Museum of Art on October 8, 2023, to kick off the Newark Arts Festival, the largest celebration of arts and culture in New Jersey. The festival, which runs through October 12, is themed around the concept of JOY, inviting attendees to immerse themselves in artistic expression and community spirit.

Guests adorned in dazzling gold gowns and tuxedos filled the museum’s lobby, where the atmosphere was electrified by performances from the “Violin Diva” and trapeze artists twirling from the ceiling. Lauren LeBeaux Craig, Executive Director of Newark Arts, remarked on the impressive fashion choices of the evening, stating, “People definitely understood the assignment. The fashion and the outfits were just insane and so creative.”

Artistic Vision Meets Community Celebration

The Gold Ball was a visual spectacle curated by designer Bailey Li and fashion artist Erika Hicks. Li expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “Designing a luminous art installation for the Newark Museum of Art was an honor of a lifetime. Seeing guests interact with shimmering surfaces and soft-draped forms was magical.” Hicks highlighted the event’s significance, noting that it celebrated culture, creativity, and boundless possibilities. “Watching guests serve up stunning looks was unforgettable,” she added.

The evening also marked the unveiling of “Ode to Joy,” an exhibition in the Traphagen Gallery that features the works of six local visual artists. Their artwork explores joy as a transformative force, addressing themes of resilience, identity, and community. This year’s Gold Ball drew inspiration from last year’s sold-out Pink Ball, aligning with the overarching festival theme.

Exploring JOY Through Art

The Newark Arts Festival includes around six exhibitions produced by Newark Arts, alongside numerous independent exhibitions throughout the city. The main exhibition, “Pure Joy,” showcased at the Paul Robeson Galleries at Express Newark, features over 70 artists interpreting joy through various mediums, including film, multimedia, and painting. Among them, Lalea Raymond, a Jersey City-based photographer, has created a visual narrative centered on joy, stemming from personal loss. Craig remarked, “Her artwork came out of pain… she lost someone important in her life and then she decided to really lean into her photography and focus on joy.”

Craig acknowledged that this year’s theme prompted some artists to express hesitation about creating under the notion of joy during challenging times. Yet, she emphasized the importance of leaning into creativity during uncertainty. “When things are a little scary or uncertain, that’s the time we need to lean in most to what we’re doing and really share the power and the value of arts and culture,” she explained.

The success of the JOY theme has set the stage for future initiatives, including the concept “Joy Lives Here,” which encapsulates Newark’s creativity and community through the voices of individuals who embody joy. Craig believes that joy extends beyond the arts, impacting sectors such as tourism, economic development, and public safety.

“So many people are struggling, are looking for jobs, are not sure where their path lies, and are fearful about where we are going as a nation,” Craig noted. “What we can do is just provide a little bit of joy in somebody’s day, and if that’s all we can do, I think that’s extremely impactful.”

The Newark Arts Festival continues to promote community engagement and artistic expression, demonstrating how joy can serve as a vital force for resilience and connection in the face of adversity.