(Morristown, NJ, May 2024) — Juneteenth Arts Celebration is a two-day event that brings together four non profit organizations to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. This FREE event celebrates the African American community and offers the public access to local artists, food, dance, music, and other festivities at major cultural venues in Morristown and Morris Township. Partner organizations for this event are Art in the Atrium (ATA), Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morris Arts, and the Morris Museum.
“Art in the Atrium is very happy to partner with our fellow Morristown arts organizations in celebration of Juneteenth this year,” said ATA’s CEO Simone Craig. “To celebrate Juneteenth is an important cultural statement which we are pleased to honor by these events. We invite the Morristown community to join us for good art, good food, and a good party.”
Juneteenth, traditionally observed on June 19, commemorates Black liberation from the institution of slavery that took place at the end of the Civil War when President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became the law in all states. The day also highlights the resilience, solidarity, and culture of the Black Community. June 19, 1865 was the day word reached the enslaved in Galveston, Texas, though this proclamation actually ended slavery on paper two years earlier on January 1, 1863.
The arts celebration begins at the Atrium Gallery with a public reception of W.O.W.: Women’s Outstanding Works on Thursday, June 13. ATA’s first all-women exhibit curated by Onnie Strother and Bisa Wendy Washington will feature master artist Nette Forné Thomas and showcase the work of 70 Black and Afro-Latina women artists. Atlantic Health System is the event sponsor, Peapack-Gladstone Bank and Valley Bank are VIP Patrons of the Art in the Atrium event.
The party continues at the Morris Museum on Friday, June 14 for a celebratory event that features a performance by the Unity Steppers and local Spoken Word Poets. Installed concurrently at Art in the Atrium’s W.O.W. exhibition and at the Morris Museum, the monumental mural, Wearer of All Socks, by Samantha Modder celebrates a larger-than-life black fairytale heroine. This free event will have delicious catering by Dominiques Dishes, an open bar, and music from DJ Rich. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a sponsor for the Morris Museum event.
See Juneteenth Arts Celebration schedule below:
– Thursday, June 13, 6:30-9 PM
Art in the Atrium Opening Reception of W.O.W.: Women’s Outstanding Works
Morris County Administration and Records Building
10 Court Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
– Friday, June 14, 6-9 PM
Morris Museum’s Celebration with Unity Steppers and Spoken Word Poets
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
For more information and to RSVP, visit: JuneteenthArtsCelebration.com
About Art in the Atrium
Art in the Atrium, Inc. (ATA) is a Black-led critically-acclaimed, culture keeping institution founded in
Morristown, New Jersey in 1991, that is committed to the celebration and advancement of Black culture.
ATA supports and invests in black fine art, and established and emerging artists by giving them visibility
and a creative space to breathe. Since its founding, in addition to its exhibits, ATA has provided unique
arts education programming through its ATA STEAM Academy program for high school students and
gives scholarships to promising black arts students.
About Morris Arts
Founded in 1973, Morris Arts has been fulfilling its mission of “building community through the arts” for
over 50 years. Their guiding principles include the belief that the arts are vital to the social fabric and
economic prosperity of the area, act as a catalyst for social change, and enrich the lives of everyone in the
community. Their varied programs and services serve to inspire, connect and engage. They include arts
education programs for children in grades K-12, the creation of innovative community-building arts
events, including concerts, gallery walks and public art exhibits, and support of area artists and arts
organizations through funding, advocacy, and professional development.
About Mayo Performing Arts Center
Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that
entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of
Northern New Jersey. The 2023-2024 season is made possible, in part, by a grant the New Jersey State
Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as
well as support received from the F.M. Kirby Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and
numerous corporations, foundations and individuals. Mayo Performing Arts Center was named 2016
Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theatres, and is ranked in the top 50
mid-sized performing arts centers by Pollstar Magazine. More information at www.MayoArts.org.
About the Morris Museum
The Morris Museum—founded in 1913 and located on 8.5 sylvan acres in Morris Township, New Jersey
since the mid-1960s—draws visitors from across the region to its dynamic and acclaimed art exhibitions
program and performing arts events. Its 45,000+ object collection of art and material culture from around
the world joins the art of our time in displays throughout the Museum’s purpose-built spaces and within
the historic Twin Oaks mansion, designed by McKim, Mead & White.
Image Captions: Nette Forné Thomas, Liberty Flourishes When Wisdom Prevails, Photo courtesy the artist. The Steppers, Photo by Dawnpoint Studios. Elizabeth Catlett, Young Douglass, Linocut, 16.5×13.5 in
Article courtesy of the Morris Museum.
