Studio Montclair is pleased to announce an Open Call for an exhibition,

“Things We Carry – a Contemporary Asian Experience”.

Stories of immigration often incorporate the idea of worn baggage, as in, what has

been brought over - intangibly/theoretically/philosophically, and sometimes

subconsciously - and ingrained into our sense of home. This exhibition seeks works

from artists responding to the multitudes that Asians/Asian-Americans carry, represent

and experience, as a modern collective. We encourage artists to reflect on our deep

appreciation for tradition while also affirming our sense of belonging and place.

JUROR: Adriana Proser - Curator of Asian Art and

Chief Curator at the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD.

Call for Essex County Artists – Lackawanna Station Mural Project

bdp holdings LLC & Studio Montclair invite Essex County artists to apply for an exciting opportunity to paint murals at Lackawanna Station. As part of our commitment to supporting and showcasing local talent, we have designated an area exclusively for artists based in Essex County. Lackawanna Plaza is a playfully apt glimpse of what’s to come on a major redevelopment site in the heart of downtown Montclair, NJ. Rather than let the property sit vacant for the years leading up to development, bdp holdings would create a space where entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes could flourish and establish a footing in a unique setting.

A few Details:

No Theme – Artists have creative freedom  /  Murals to be painted in Fall 2025  / 

Artists will receive a $1,500 honorarium (this covers all costs, including materials)  / 

A jury panel selected by Studio Montclair in accordance with public art best practices, will

review and choose the final artists   /   Murals will be featured for a term of six (6) months  / 

Mural size is 17 feet wide by 8 feet high. (See photos below.)

Eligibility:

This open call is exclusively for artists who reside in Essex County, NJ. We welcome applications from experienced muralists as well as artists looking to expand into large-scale public art.

How to Apply:

Submit your application by June 12, 2025. 

You will be prompted to  include:

● A brief artist statement, maximum one page

● A mural concept, to include how this concept will respond to the Appropriateness Criteria

listed below

● A short bio and resume to include public art mural experience

● Proof of Essex County residency

● Budget breakdown

● Timeline for completion

● Samples of your public art (maximum 6)

Studio Montclair’s Black History and Women’s History Month Exhibit: 

Studio Montclair is pleased to announce an Open Call for an exhibit celebrating Black History and Women’s History Month: Strength and Resilience.

Strength and resilience are powerful concepts that are similar but not the same. Strength signifies endurance and toughness, while resilience embodies adaptability and flexibility — qualities that are integral to Black character and history. We invite invite you to submit artwork that captures either or both essential themes.

Studio Montclair’s Black History and Women’s History Month Exhibition.

Studio Montclair is pleased to announce an Open Call for an exhibit celebrating Black History and Women’s History Month: Strength and Resilience.

Strength and resilience are powerful concepts that are similar but not the same.

Strength signifies endurance and toughness, while resilience embodies adaptability and flexibility — qualities that are integral to Black character and history. We invite you to submit artwork that captures either or both essential themes.

Studio Montclair is calling for entries for Dwelling in Hope 2024, our first exhibition

focusing exclusively on photography. It is especially fitting that in challenging times

cultivating hope is both beneficial and meaningful. Open to all photographers, Dwelling

in Hope seeks images expressing the concept of finding hope within the familiar,

everyday aspects of our lives. We challenge you to submit photographs made in and

around your own home or in the heart of your community. Your photographs can be

specific, such as a person or event, or they can be more abstract, drawing from nature,

or images containing symbols of refuge and possibility. We encourage you to unleash

your creativity and let your imagination guide you. Part of the beauty of photography lies

in its power to present scenes that are visible to anyone, while simultaneously revealing

deeply personal emotions.

JUROR: Joel Morgovsky, retired Professor of Psychology at Brookdale Community

College.

Typography and text have been used by artists to make political statements – Jenny Holzer; to comment on societal constructs – Shepard Fairey; to imbed language into the environment – Ed Ruscha.  Who can forget Barbara Kruger’s “Untitled (Your body is a battleground)” from 1989 which resonates possibly even more today? The uses of text and typography are endless.  How do Studio Montclair artists use text in their work?  Show us!