Jajo Is Closing, Tonite

The Jajo Gallery on Orange Street near Broad is closing tonite. A benefit for another artistic endeavor will be held as the last official act.

I was by there Thursday, and tho I hoped to take pix of the current exhibit, the gallery was shuttered. Now I know why. This is the emailed notice, under the subject heading "JAJO GALLERY, AN OBITUARY".

To our beloved friends,

We would like to inform you that our year long performance piece, Jajo Gallery, will officially come to an end this Saturday, Ju[ly] 18.

Jajo Gallery, which stood at 77 Orange Street, was a project intended to prove that hard work and determination can overcome any obstacle. In spite of the country's worst economic recession, two young college girls were still able to found and operate a contemporary art space that was hailed for playing an essential role in Newark's budding art scene. As art students, we both admired Newark's existing galleries but noticed that their lay several critical flaws in the arts community as a whole. As a sincere effort to play our part in correcting these issues, we decided to create an art gallery that would challenge Newark in ways it had not yet seen. We started by learning from the best: Aljira, City Without Walls, Rupert Ravens Contemporary, Gallery Aferro, Seed, Index, Paul Robeson Galleries, and the NJIT Gallery. These are truly incredible institutions, and we would like to thank them for giving us an opportunity to be part of their revolution.

Also, we would like to thank our patrons for supporting us throughout this past year. Without you, this project would have absolutely failed. You helped us, time and time again, believe in the redemptive powers of art as well as witness Newark's undeniable renaissance. In celebration, we ask you to support us for one last time by joining us on Saturday, Ju[ly] 18 from 6PM-1AM, for our final act: RAISING THE RED LANTERN, a performance festival.

Following this Saturday, Jajo will permanently close it's doors. We, however, have several big projects in the making! Stay tuned!

With immeasurable gratitude,
Rebecca Jampol & Deana Haggag
directors of the gallery formerly known as Jajo

This is the second gallery (after Red Saw) I know of that has closed in the past year or so, presumably due to the difficult world economic situation. This is sad, in that Jajo was one of the places that sought to enliven Downtown after dark. Before Jajo goes completely, however, it is holding a fundraising event tonite to send artists from this general area to Beijing.

THIS SATURDAY 7/18:
Raising the Red Lantern
PARTY & Performance Benefit
July 18. 2009
5pm - 2 am
Presale tickets $15
At Door $20

Ticket sales and door goes to traveling Open Art Performance Artists
****Presale tickets can be purchased at Jajo Gallery (Newark. NJ), Grace Exhibition Space (Brooklyn. NY), Grace Space (Brooklyn. NY), Newark Art Supply (Newark. NJ), Jerry's Artist Outlet (W. Orange, NJ) and from the performing artists.

Raising the Red Lantern will be a benefit party to be held at Jajo Gallery in Newark on the 18th of July. All proceeds from this event will help a group of approximately fifteen artists slated to perform in The 10th Open Art International Performance Festival happening in Beijing the first week in September. This festival enjoys the distinction of being the largest and longest festival of its kind anywhere. Jajo Gallery is pleased and honored to cooperate with Grace Exhibition Space of Brooklyn to be a part of this festival.

6pm: Afternoon Chinese Tea Ceremony Party
Raise a cup of tea to the red lantern!

Starting @ 9pm: Raising the Red Lantern Artists
Nick Blume
Rocio Boliver
Myk Henry
Rachel Hoffman
Erik Hokanson
Rebecca Jampol
Jeremy Slater
Jonas
Marni Kotak
Kelly Pinho
Rojeh Torosian

Matthew White
Queen Bee Ladies
And more!

Music Provided By:
High Teen Boogie
Asako
DJ FRANC KOSTANZA
Denver Hughes

Performance "FINE WORKS" Auction

SPECIAL CATERING provided by BIG DICKS HOTDOGS (serving all night)

Complimentary ICE COLD BEER
SERVED ALL NIGHT to help you beat the summer's heat!

Jajo Gallery
77 Orange St.
Newark NJ 07101
551 580 3450

When I was wandering around Downtown at nite recently, I saw this at what has/had been the site of the Newark Arts Council. Has it lost its space? Recessions are hard on almost everyone, but I would hope that most of the Newark arts community will get thru this difficult time and prosper on the other side.