The City of Jersey City has chosen The Creative Side to produce the 36th Annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST), scheduled for October 3 to 5, 2025. The announcement was made by Mayor Steven M. Fulop in collaboration with the Office of Cultural Affairs and the Jersey City Arts Council.
JCAST is the city’s signature arts festival and has been a major cultural event for over 35 years. The appointment of The Creative Side follows a new producer selection process that included public input and open participation.
- The Creative Side, led by local entrepreneur and curator Atim Annette Oton, has been chosen to produce the 36th Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST), taking place October 3–5, 2025.
- The producer selection followed a transparent, open, and community-led process, with public forums, feedback sessions, and input from local artists and curators.
- This year’s production will focus on community inclusion, artist empowerment, and a renewed cultural vision, supported by a female-led team of curators and organizers.
Community-Guided Selection and Advisory Committee
The producer was chosen through a process guided by a JCAST Advisory Committee composed of five members from the local arts community: Catherine Hecht, Lexie Levin, Antonio Martez, Dan Pieraccini, and Sylvia Riley. The committee worked in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Jersey City Arts Council to create a selection framework based on public feedback.
The selection process began in January 2025 with a public visioning session held at the Bethune Center. Artists, curators, and community members participated in the session to provide input on the future of JCAST, all of which led to the formation of the volunteer advisory committee.
To ensure alignment with community values, the Jersey City Arts Council compiled public feedback into a document titled “The Future of JCAST: Community Feedback Report.” This report was used as a guide for evaluating producer candidates.
A Call for Letters of Interest was issued in April 2025, inviting qualified applicants to submit proposals. Responsibilities outlined for the producer included logistics, marketing, sponsorship, accessibility, and community engagement.
The Creative Side and Its Leadership Team
The Creative Side was founded by Atim Annette Oton, a Jersey City resident and former co-owner of Calabar Imports, a Brooklyn-based retail business that operated for 20 years. Oton was selected for her experience, creative vision, and community-based approach. She will oversee the planning, design, and execution of JCAST 2025.
In addition to Oton, the production team includes Donna Kessinger, who previously managed JCAST under the city’s operations. Kessinger will lead the signature exhibition and act as liaison for artists, galleries, and venues.
The full team also includes:
- Melissa Ulto
- Judith Rahilly
- Shantel Asante-Kissi
Public relations for JCAST 2025 will be handled by Cheryl Duncan & Company, Inc. Fundraising will be supported by Gardenship, a nonprofit artist-run organization known for community-based projects.
Continued City Support and Public Engagement
Following a review of applications, interviews, and scoring, The Creative Side was selected. The advisory committee stated that they were impressed by the applications received and the commitment shown by applicants to the Jersey City arts community.
While The Creative Side takes over as producer, the City of Jersey City will continue to support JCAST with staff, event equipment, transportation, planning assistance, and promotional resources.
For updates on JCAST 2025, visit thejcast.com or follow @jc_artandstudiotour on Instagram and @TheJCAST on Facebook.
