Artist as Activist
Artist as Activist
June 7 - August 2, 2025
Location:
Rowan University Art Gallery and Museum
Cost:
FREE
Audience:
Open to All
Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum in partnership with New Jersey State Council on the Arts presents the 2025 New Jersey Arts Annual Exhibition
ARTIST AS ACTIVIST
EXHIBITION DATES June 7th, 2025 - August 2nd, 2025
OPENING RECEPTION June 7th, 4 - 7 pm
FEATURED ARTISTS
Catherine Allen - ShinYoung An - Ellis Angel - Ylvia Asal - Donna Bassin
Kristian Battell - Michael DalCerro - Kirstin Demer - Laura Frazure
Adam Gustavson - Ellen Hanauer - Sam Horowitz - Tony Khawam
Krystle Lemonias - Christopher Lopez - Jazlyne Sabree
Chanika Svetvilas - Hui Tian - Alan Willoughby, and one artist who wished to remain anonymous.
GUEST JURORS
Brittany Webb, Evelyn and Will Kaplan Curator of 20th Century Art and the John Rhoden Collection, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)
Dejay Duckett, Director of Curatorial Services, African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP)
Artist as Activist presents work that is an artistic response to the concept of activism. The selected artists use their creative practices to challenge societal norms, raise awareness, and inspire audiences to engage critically with the world around them. The works address a broad spectrum of urgent topics—including environmental stewardship, immigration, health and well-being, political engagement, and more. Rather than employing overt or reactionary tactics, these artists adopt a more nuanced approach. Their work invites viewers to engage with complex issues on their own terms, promoting personal reflection and dialogue rather than prescribing a singular viewpoint. Some artists use humor to disarm and draw in the viewer, while others use ambiguity or conceptual forms to allow multiple interpretations. Scale is also used deliberately, amplifying the urgency of the challenges we face collectively. Ultimately, this exhibition presents art as a vehicle for advocacy—illuminating injustices, proposing alternatives, and envisioning change. Through emotion, experience, and truth, these artists seek to cultivate empathy, spark conversation, and inspire action.
The New Jersey Arts Annual is a unique series of exhibitions highlighting the State’s visual and performing artists. In partnership with major museums around the state, one exhibition takes place each year, alternating between host institutions. These exhibitions are open to any artist currently living or working in New Jersey. The Arts Annual series is sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. Since 1984, the New Jersey State Arts Council has co-sponsored the prestigious Annual in keeping with its mission to encourage and foster public interest in the arts, promote freedom of expression in the arts, and to facilitate the inclusion of art in every building in New Jersey. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.
ARTIST AS ACTIVIST
EXHIBITION DATES June 7th, 2025 - August 2nd, 2025
OPENING RECEPTION June 7th, 4 - 7 pm
FEATURED ARTISTS
Catherine Allen - ShinYoung An - Ellis Angel - Ylvia Asal - Donna Bassin
Kristian Battell - Michael DalCerro - Kirstin Demer - Laura Frazure
Adam Gustavson - Ellen Hanauer - Sam Horowitz - Tony Khawam
Krystle Lemonias - Christopher Lopez - Jazlyne Sabree
Chanika Svetvilas - Hui Tian - Alan Willoughby, and one artist who wished to remain anonymous.
GUEST JURORS
Brittany Webb, Evelyn and Will Kaplan Curator of 20th Century Art and the John Rhoden Collection, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)
Dejay Duckett, Director of Curatorial Services, African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP)
Artist as Activist presents work that is an artistic response to the concept of activism. The selected artists use their creative practices to challenge societal norms, raise awareness, and inspire audiences to engage critically with the world around them. The works address a broad spectrum of urgent topics—including environmental stewardship, immigration, health and well-being, political engagement, and more. Rather than employing overt or reactionary tactics, these artists adopt a more nuanced approach. Their work invites viewers to engage with complex issues on their own terms, promoting personal reflection and dialogue rather than prescribing a singular viewpoint. Some artists use humor to disarm and draw in the viewer, while others use ambiguity or conceptual forms to allow multiple interpretations. Scale is also used deliberately, amplifying the urgency of the challenges we face collectively. Ultimately, this exhibition presents art as a vehicle for advocacy—illuminating injustices, proposing alternatives, and envisioning change. Through emotion, experience, and truth, these artists seek to cultivate empathy, spark conversation, and inspire action.
The New Jersey Arts Annual is a unique series of exhibitions highlighting the State’s visual and performing artists. In partnership with major museums around the state, one exhibition takes place each year, alternating between host institutions. These exhibitions are open to any artist currently living or working in New Jersey. The Arts Annual series is sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. Since 1984, the New Jersey State Arts Council has co-sponsored the prestigious Annual in keeping with its mission to encourage and foster public interest in the arts, promote freedom of expression in the arts, and to facilitate the inclusion of art in every building in New Jersey. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.
Event Type: