  EXHIBITIONS & WORKSHOPS | GALLERY SERVICES | DIRECTIONS | FRIENDS OF SUMEI |
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Contact Us Sumei Multidisciplinary Art Center 19 Liberty Street | Newark, NJ 07102 | Telephone: (973) 643-7883 Fax: (973) 242-7914 | E-mail: sumeiart@aol.com MISSION STATEMENT/ABOUT US Sumei Multidisciplinary Arts Center is a non-profit organization that provides a space for artists of all disciplines to perform and exhibit their work and to interact with the public in order to promote an exchange of cultural ideas and practices. Located on the first floor of a commercial building in famous downtown Newark, with the work of local artists on display, a one hundred year old (still in excellent condition) grand piano and greenery to spare, the 2000 sq. ft. exhibit space is airy and comfortable, and can accommodate 80 to 100 people. Two other floors of the turn of the century factory building are used for work, living spaces and offices. The center was started by a collective of professional artists in 1993, who live in and around Newark, and includes musicians, architects, poets, graphic designers, visual and fine artists all interested in broadening the opportunities between the local and broader audience. The Havana Newark Exhibition was started by a group of Havana and New York based artists in need of a venue for exposure. Sumei Arts Center, recognizing the need for both exiled artists and artists living in Cuba to interact, reached out to these artists and provided a forum for discussion and reconciliation. As a result the exhibit has become an annual presentation of multi-disciplinary arts by Cuban and Cuban American artists while Cuban artist are invited to visit and lecture on their specialties and to meet with curators and collectors. The Sumei Center also hosts presentations of music and theatre from different cultures, and international exhibits of art from different areas of Africa and other parts of the world. Funding for past events has been sponsored by Newark artists and residents. Additionally, the Sumei Center is in the process of developing its own collection of art work that has been donated by artists and other organizations. The collection includes eighteenth and nineteenth century religious carvings and tapestries from Yoruba culture in Nigeria, works by contemporary African American artists, and works by contemporary Cuban and Cuban American artists. OUR PURPOSE Exhibitions of the work of emerging artists; exhibitions of cultural and historical significance; lectures, seminars and workshops involving public discussions on art and health topics, educational tours for high and elementary students. Art and Music performances around specific historical or cultural themes. Literary performances including audience participation. Audio, video and printed documentation of performances and educational events for broadcast or public access. Collaboration with community based organizations in the surrounding area and other areas to bring educational events to public. FUTURE ACTIVITIES Publication of literary and educational materials. Production and Training in Video and Recording Media. Technical Assistance and training in the Arts and in Arts Management for children, junior and senior high school students to include portfolio preparation, career guidance for art and art related fields, internships. |