This is probably my favorite event of the year—I get to welcome you into my actual studio! It’s full of jars of ochre, shelves of books, stacks of canvases, and walls of paintings. Josh will be there with his carved jades, too! Come see it all!

Manufacturers Village is a fantastically amazing arts space in East Orange. A factory complex built in the 1880’s by Johnson & Johnson, it has served many functions, including, purportedly, a stint as a production site for adult films. Now all of that creative energy is harnessed by 65+ artists. In its 15th year, the Open Studios welcome the public into this warren of creativity. For one weekend, the doors will be open to explore the work and spaces of professional painters, sculptors, woodworkers, quilters, designers, printmakers, photographers, multi-media artists and more.

The annual Open Studios weekend is a free event designed to fuse art, architecture, community and inspiration. It will be a chance to meet the artists, view their work and purchase original pieces. It also hopes to inspire visitors to start a new artistic pursuit, meet other people in the local community and to give lovers of history and architecture, the rare opportunity to explore these well-preserved historic buildings with a self-guided tour. 

Visitors will also be able to view the East Orange Community Black Lives Matter Mural, one of the state’s largest murals. Painted in the spring of 2021, this 9,000 square foot mural was created by sixteen artists from the greater East Orange Community.