The basics:
- Exchange Place Alliance adds new public art in Jersey City
- Public Storage building showcases works from local and regional artists
- $600K investment grows sculpture count in SID’s Art Walk to 15 pieces
- Initiative aims to boost placemaking, cultural identity and community ties
Having recently expanded its borders in Jersey City, the Exchange Place Alliance is busy putting its mark on the additional space.
Along with announcing the six latest public art installations commissioned to join the waterfront special improvement district, the public-private organization that runs it unveiled to NJBIZ new showcase pieces at the Public Storage building on 2nd Avenue.
The sextuplet of sculptures along with inaugural window display in the Powerhouse Arts District mark a continued and concentrated placemaking effort driven by the Alliance.
“Public art plays a crucial role in shaping a city’s identity,” commented Alliance Executive Director Deidre Reynolds. “We have worked hard to match the culture of Jersey City to the art we have installed. Our public art initiative is meant to bring inspiration to our daily lives while celebrating the artists who make our community special.”
According to the 2023 Arts & Economic Prosperity report from Americans for the Arts, the industry contributed $45.95 million in total expenditures in Jersey City.
The study notes an expanded viewpoint that also includes a measure of the social impact of the arts. In Jersey City, AEP6 found respondent surveys demonstrated “an appreciation for how the arts and culture impacts the development and well-being of the community and its residents.” The City of Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs joined AEP6 as the local research partner.
Different kind of display
A selection committee comprising about 20 arts professionals, city representatives and members of Exchange Place Alliance helped determine the newest installations that will arrive in the district. The group evaluated submissions based on artistic excellence, originality and community impact.
Speaking with NJBIZ, Exchange Place Alliance Chair Michael DeMarco highlighted the mix of folks. He noted it included city council members; Christine Goodman, the director of the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs; Meredith Burns, executive artistic director at Art House; and others.
The Public Storage building, which sits within the Alliance’s newly added area, will display works from two local artists along with a Brooklyn-based creative.
A converted warehouse, DeMarco said the city stipulated ownership must incorporate art installations in its three front-facing windows.
Featured artists include:
- Kayt Hester: The Jersey City-based artist creates intricate portraits and scenes entirely from hand-torn black masking tape. With more than 25 years in the local arts scene, publications including Bust, Nylon, Jersey Best Magazine have featured the bold black and white compositions.
- Ryan Wright: Also a local, muralist and commercial artist Wright draws inspiration from the urban landscapes of North Jersey and Lima, Peru. The former graffiti artist turned fine artist has a BFA from the School of Visual Arts. Wright has created large-scale work for clients including Nike, Budweiser, Vice, and Heineken. His colorful, abstracted compositions explore the architecture, signage, and cultural rhythm of Jersey City.
- Ji Yong Kim: Based in Brooklyn, visual and muralist Kim creates large-scale works that blend Eastern spiritual iconography with contemporary urban art. Kim attended both the Rhode Island School of Design and Montclair State University.
“So now we have three windows done. We bought a statue. We have two other statues installed. So, we’re actually starting to build a little,” DeMarco said.
The missing piece
Beyond Public Storage, and representing a $600,000 investment, the Exchange Place Alliance’s six newest additions will bring the total sculpture count in the SID to 15. The collection started building about three years ago.
In 2024, the group purchased its first permanent piece, “Adorn Me.”
Acquiring that initial piece helped foster a larger conversation about art generally among the board, according to DeMarco.
To expand its Art Walk collection, the Alliance issued a request for proposals in collaboration with the city. According to the group’s website, a project budget of $50,000 to $75,000 supports the effort.
Click here to read more about the newest sculptures and the artists behind them.
Click here to read more about the newest sculptures and the artists behind them.
Commenting on the mix of artists across both the Public Storage and sculpture initiatives, DeMarco said the Alliance put out a “worldwide call.” However, it aimed to support local creatives first and foremost, he said.
Installation of the newest sculptures is already underway, with that work continuing into 2026. “Puppy Love” by Will Kurtz was a clear favorite among the selection committee, according to DeMarco. The piece sits at 108 1st St.
“There was supposed to be a statue there when they built the walk … but they never put a statue in,” DeMarco explained of the oval seating area that houses the new work. “So we fulfilled the mandate.”
Highlighting the playful nature of “Puppy Love,” DeMarco noted its proximity to a nearby dog park the Alliance also maintains. The spot occupies space along the pedestrian plaza outside the Waldo School and within the Powerhouse Arts District.
While including visuals throughout the SID helps to raise cultural awareness, the Alliance aims to make that art accessible in its consumption, as well. But “they’re still evocative,” DeMarco said. “They’re still looking and saying, ‘Oh, this is something that was done with an intention to make this space better.’”
Bridging gaps
The Alliance’s roots date back to 2017. Its goal is to enhance the SID for all the residents, employees and visitors that move through the space. And the work it does aims to maintain a cleaner, safer, connected and more engaged community, as well as increase property and business values.
The district spans the Hudson waterfront, reaching inward as far as Marin Boulevard in some places.
Having lived and worked in Jersey City extensively, DeMarco recognized similarities between the town and other cities known for their diverse and culturally driven communities. “It was very similar to Brooklyn, N.Y., for example,” the former Mack-Cali Realty Corp. leader told NJBIZ. He noted both hotspots are marked by a collection of neighborhoods with differing resources.
To curate the district on this side of the Hudson River, DeMarco highlighted three mechanisms for the Alliance:
- Taxing, cleaning and maintaining the area;
- Establishing places to gather; and
- Supporting local art groups.
In the context of that work, “You add in art, and it just becomes the last piece of it,” DeMarco said.
