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Neumann Leathers redevelopment plans meeting rescheduled for next week

Jordan Coll, Staff Writer
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Neumann Leathers redevelopment plans meeting rescheduled for next week

Discussion of the redevelopment plan for the Neumann Leathers building will reconvene on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. in a virtual meeting, after the original meeting was cancelled due to a disruption by an unknown participant.

The meeting was set to take place last year on Dec. 14 when an unknown individual wrote “No one cares lol” on the images presented. The Jersey Journal reported the alleged “Zoombomber” was scribbling and began displaying porn at the meeting.

“The Hoboken Police Department continues to investigate the incident,” said Marilyn Baer, the city’s spokesperson, who added, that if anyone has any information to contact Det. Adam Colon at (201) 420-2100 ext. 3138.

“The City seeks to explore permanent protections for the arts community and revitalize the property to include commercial and residential space, including affordable housing, while also preserving its historic nature. The City looks forward to gaining public input at the upcoming meeting on Jan. 10.”

The Hoboken City Council adopted the Redevelopment Plan for the Neumann Leathers Rehabilitation Area on Dec. 2, 2015 and passed an amendment to the plan on first reading in March 2021.

That plan amendment was tabled on second reading in order to negotiate stronger rent protections for the Industrial Arts community at Neumann Leathers, 300 Observer Boulevard. In March 2022, the City Council formally re-designated portions of the Neumann Leathers Rehabilitation Area as an Area in Need of Redevelopment.

Famously known for producing and tanning leather, the building dates back to the post-Civil War era, according to archives in the Hoboken Historical Museum.

The city has since been working with both the Industrial Arts tenants and the ownership group to explore permanent protections for the Industrial Arts community at Neumann Leathers, a core objective of the Redevelopment Plan, while evaluating the residential density and tax structure necessary to achieve this objective, according to the city’s Nixle alert sent out to residents.

All attendees must register with the name and email prior to joining the meeting. Members can click here to register.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at jcoll@hudsonreporter.com.

 

How to develop residential units at Neumann Leathers factory

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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During a five-hour City Council meeting on Wednesday, officials and residents listened to a long presentation by a city planner on several development options for the Neumann Leathers factory complex near the city’s southern border.

The council also passed an introductory ordinance for the city’s 500-foot rule. The existing rule states that liquor license holders may not open within 500 feet of one another. Changes might allow bars to open closer to each other, but attempts to amend the rule have met with opposition in the past. (See sidebar.)

Neumann Leathers

The council passed the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Plan in December 2015. The complex built in the 1800’s near the city’s southern border was once a leather manufacturing factory. Currently, artists, musicians, and small businesses rent space there.

The goals outlined in the plan were to preserve the historic buildings and the existing light manufacturing and arts businesses, and to create new public spaces.

The plan includes a requirement for 40,000 square feet of public plazas and outdoor markets. It also includes 230 units of residential development.

“We walk past this project every day and it’s in dire need of rehabilitation.” – Ron Rosenberg

According to City Planner Jessica Giorgianni, of the seven development options considered, only three seem the most viable because they don’t demolish any of the existing buildings. The three development options are entitled Official Submission 3, Option C-Historic Building Preserved, and Residential East.

She said “Official Submission 3” would position the residential portion of the development consistent with the adopted Redevelopment Plan and would meet the goals of separating the residential and light industrial areas and providing public open space. It would also not require any amendments.

The second alternative, “Option C-Historic Building Preserved,” was prepared in June to respond to some residents’ concerns over the location and bulk of the residential portion of the plan.

One residential building would be built to extend over the existing historic Neumann Leathers building, and a separate residential building would be constructed in the eastern portion of the site so that it mixes in with the existing commercial/light industrial buildings.  This option would reduce the amount of public open space and would require redevelopment plan amendments.

The final development option, “Residential East,” was prepared in March to also try an address residents’ concerns and ensure the preservation of the historical structures. This option would include a separate 18-story residential building within the commercial/light industrial building area. This option would also reduce the amount of public open space and would require redevelopment plan amendments.

“We want to get input from the community and council to reach consensus on a preferred direction,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer in a press release. She noted that she would not support demolishing the buildings.

The City Council is expected to vote at its July council meeting for a preference among the development options.

 “Based on the results of a city council vote, the administration will then work with the council to possibly amend the plan and then negotiate a redevelopment agreement to move forward with the project,” said Zimmer.

Public input

About 10 members of the public commented on the development options.

Hoboken resident and Neumann Leathers tenant Tom Newman said, “I’ve been here 21 years and for at least half of those years, we’ve been talking about saving Neumann Leathers. It’s gratifying to be at this stage and see the kind of support this project has gotten. I think and have always felt this could be a real jewel in the crown of Hoboken.”

Newman said one of his concerns with some of the development options is the close proximity of residential units to the light industrial tenants.

“I don’t want someone calling me saying, I’m waking the baby,” said Newman, a former councilman and current cabinet maker.

Karen Meneshin said the council needs to spend more time on the project before its scheduled vote on their development preference at the next council meeting and there needs to be better communication with the public.

“Telling us last week of a meeting tonight is far too little time,” said Meneshin. “Three weeks is more than a rush and deserves more time.”

Ron Rosenberg, who lives on Newark Street near the project, said that the presentation and Nixle Alert about the presentation made it seem that the residents of 415 Newark St. took issue with the project and forced themselves into the conversation. Rosenberg said that this is only partially true, because it was not only residents of his building but residents throughout the area who expressed an interest.

“We had 200 people who signed a petition, and they live in 10 different buildings along Newark Street,” said Rosenberg of a past 2015 petition against the redevelopment plan’s height and density.

 “It’s important to note that 415 has never been against this project,” said Rosenberg. “415 is as interested as Tom Newman is, because we walk past this project every day and it’s in dire need of rehabilitation.”

He said he and other residents took issue with the plan’s residential bulk and asked that it be split to lighten the load.

The City Council asked members of the public to submit their comments on the design options to Councilman David Mello via email by Sunday night so that he and the subcommittee can discuss them during their meeting that week.

Residents can submit comments to Mello at melloforhoboken@gmail.com.

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com

SIDEBAR

The 500-foot bar rule, redux

A new introductory ordinance would outline exceptions to a longstanding city rule that plenary retail consumption license holders may not open within 500 feet of one another.

The introductory ordinance outlines proposed areas of exception.

These areas include the Southern Redevelopment Area, the Central Business District, the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Area, the Western Edge Redevelopment Area, the Southwest Redevelopment Area, the 3rd Ward (central west part of town), the 1st Ward area not included in the Central Business District or Southern Redevelopment Area, and any area designated as a theater exception. A “theater exception” is an exception to sell alcohol during certain theater performances hosted by non-profit groups.

In each of the above areas of exception, the amount of allowed licenses would be limited to a specific number, the greatest of which is the Central Business District at 25 plenary retail consumption licenses, and the least of which is the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Area at three plenary retail consumption licenses.

The number of licenses in each exception area is related to what currently exists, according to Councilman Jim Doyle, the ordinance’s sponsor, except for the 3rd Ward, which gets an increase of about five licenses.

The ordinance states, “Based upon changes in the conditions within the city since the prohibition’s initial adoption [in the 1960s] including growth and redevelopment of the city, the city believes that certain modifications to the outright prohibition are in the best interest of the city.”

Bars and liquor stores that were opened before the ordinance’s adoption were grandfathered in, which explains why you may see two close together.

The ordinance also gives owners of plenary retail consumption licenses the ability to petition the City Council for an exception to the 500-foot rule. The petitioner will have to get six out of nine votes for the exception, to be granted due to extraordinary circumstances like claiming an extreme hardship.

The council approved the introductory ordinance unanimously, apart from City Council President Jen Giattino, who was absent. 

Hoboken council considers reuse of Neumann Leathers building

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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Hoboken council considers reuse of Neumann Leathers building

The Hoboken City Council introduced amendments to the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Plan, which proposes to preserve and rehabilitate 118,000 square feet of the historic Neumann Leathers Building along Observer Highway.

The plan dictates how approximately 3.29 acres of land, surrounded by Observer Highway, Newark Street, and Willow Avenue, could be developed, outlining design standards for all new and rehabilitated buildings.

The council designated the Neumann Leathers Rehabilitation Area as an Area in Need of Rehabilitation in 2014. In December of 2015 the council adopted the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Plan.

R. Neumann and Co. was founded in 1863 as a producer of fine leather and leather goods.

The original four-story factory was constructed on the northwest corner of Willow Avenue and Ferry Street, known today as Observer Highway.

Although leather production ceased in the last century, descendants of the original Neumann family owned and operated the buildings until 2014.

Since the 1980s, the complex has become a hub for small businesses and artists.

The Hoboken Department of Community Development and city council sub-committee have been negotiating with the property owner, Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Group, since 2016 on the details of the redevelopment project.

Now the council has voted to introduce amendments to the plan, reflecting the negotiations.

Artists, makers, and innovators

According to the city, the amended plan seeks to retain and enhance the existing industrial arts community in the Neumann Leathers Building, while constructing new, mixed-use properties.

The introduced plan amendments propose 70,000 square feet of rehabilitated industrial arts space, the creation of 76,200 square feet of new commercial and retail properties, 51 units of affordable and workforce housing, an extension of Grand Street to Observer Highway, stormwater infrastructure to reduce localized flooding, a 32,500-square-foot outdoor public plaza, and a 9,500-square-foot indoor public plaza.

The proposed amendments include the construction of 310 new residential units, the reconstruction of two mixed-use buildings in accordance with historic standards, and 204 parking spaces.

The adopted redevelopment plan calls for reduced rents for industrial arts tenants and green infrastructure design standards that include underground detention systems, above-ground green infrastructure, green roofs, and more to reduce combined sewer overflow events.

“After years of negotiation, I’m pleased that Hoboken has finally produced a revised plan that not only preserves one of Hoboken’s most historic areas and supports our vibrant arts community, but also provides substantial community benefits, including new, mixed-use retail areas and public open space,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. “This plan is a win for our City and I thank the Office of Community Development for their hard work, as well as the council sub-committee members for their assistance.”

“Hoboken has seen its share of cookie-cutter development over the last few decades, and I’m proud to say our plan for the Neumann Leathers Complex breaks that mold,” said First Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco who chairs the Southern Development Subcommittee. “This innovative adaptive reuse elevates makers, creators, artists and innovators while respecting the needs of the surrounding community. Just like Ponce Market in Atlanta, or Union Station in Denver, Neumann Leathers will remain a landmark in Hoboken for generations to come.”

To view the adopted 2015 Neumann Leathers Redevelopment plan go to https://tinyurl.com/s62u5xtv.

To read the proposed amendments to the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Plan go to https://tinyurl.com/2rrx8f39.

Hoboken will host a virtual public meeting on the plan and proposed amendments on March 8 at 7 p.m.

To join via Zoom and offer public comment go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85347160737?pwd=eG9yRCtrVS9HckIxNHZyQjBiOE1wZz09

The meeting will also be streamed live on the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

For updates on this and other stories check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at Marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

A new downtown destination

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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0
A new downtown destination

Hoboken architect John Nastasi walked residents through the concept for the Neumann Leathers redevelopment project during a virtual community meeting last week.

The new vision for the roughly  3.29 acres of land, bounded by Observer Highway, Newark Street, and Willow Avenue, includes the rehabilitation of the iconic Neumann Leathers building along Observer Highway as well as the smokestack. The land will have a new public open-air courtyard, an interior courtyard, and 310 residential units.

The plan includes 70,000 square feet of rehabilitated industrial arts space, the creation of 76,200 square feet of new commercial and retail properties, 51 units of affordable and workforce housing, an extension of Grand Street to Observer Highway, above and below ground stormwater detention, a 32,500-square-foot outdoor public plaza, and a 9,500-square-foot indoor public plaza.

Details discussed

The outdoor public plaza will be in the center of the property surrounded by six buildings publicly accessed by entrances on all four sides.

It will replace low tertiary buildings which are roughly one story, currently used as storage.

Once removed, the space will be reconfigured into a vibrant public courtyard modeled after open-air European markets with places for dining, shopping, and ground-floor art galleries.

Nastasi said it could also host live music and film screenings.

Under the 32,500-square-foot courtyard will be a stormwater detention system, which will detain 110,000 gallons of stormwater during heavy rain.

Six buildings, topped with green roofs, surround the central courtyard.

Five are envisioned as mixed-use buildings, and one is slated as an industrial arts building.

They vary in size and height, from five to 14 stories.

The southeastern-most building will have a 9,500-square-foot indoor public courtyard topped with a glass ceiling that will also offer dining and retail.

The 310 residential units will primarily be on the southwestern portion, where a parking lot currently sits.

It will be constructed above a two-story parking garage with an entrance and exit along the new Grand Street extension.

It will have spaces for 204 vehicles.

Public feedback

The majority of public speakers approved of the new plan but raised some questions.

Concerns included the possible need for more parking and impacts on traffic congestion.

“When the past administration changed Observer Highway to a single lane in each direction basically … that road is already congested, I can’t imagine what it would be like if Grand was extended,” said resident Michael Klein. “It will back up another street trying to turn onto Observer Highway.”

Others were worried about displacement and the projects phasing.

“My building is slated for reconstruction; do I get relocated somewhere,?” asked Bill Hamilton, a TV producer who operates a studio in one of the buildings. “Will rent stay the same?”

“How are we going to keep the rent affordable for the artists?” asked resident Liz NDoye whose husband has a studio at Neumann Leathers. “I’m concerned for the artists … we are the people that made this city so desirable.”

Resident Joseph Gallo asked if artist housing could be considered, noting he was glad to see affordable and workforce housing included in the plan.

Hoboken’s Director of Community Development noted that a phasing plan will need to be submitted as part of the redevelopment agreement, but generally the idea is to move the existing tenants to vacant space on the property while their building is undergoing renovations.

He noted that the city will work to create a commercial rent control program for the site adding that the redevelopment plan already has language calling for rents to be kept below-market rate for the industrial arts property.

He said the city will need to adopt a workforce housing manual which could be crafted to include artists as a priority.

Planner Jessica Giorgianni noted that the existing traffic study will be updated. The plan had changed since the original traffic study was conducted, adding that the developer will need to submit a transportation demand management plan as part of the redevelopment agreement.

For updates on this and other stories check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at Marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

Feed your soul

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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0
Feed your soul

Over 100 local artists will be featured in this year’s Hoboken Artists’ Studio Tour on Sunday, Nov. 5. The self guided walking tour features local artists’ studios, galleries, and group exhibitions, ranging from sculptures to photographs to paintings. It’s free for attendees.
According to Hoboken Administrator of Cultural Affairs Geri Fallo, the tour is designed so that patrons can walk easily from studio to studio and gallery to gallery as Hoboken is only a square mile and every location is convenient.
The tour takes advantage of Hoboken’s artistic hotspots like the Neumann Leathers complex or the Monroe Center for the Arts.
Union City photographer Joe Epstein will also have some of his photographs on display.
“It’s a good way for people to get to know how many different artists and what type of different artists are in and around Hoboken,” said Epstein of the annual tour. “The art community in town pretty big, but I don’t know if it’s something Hoboken known for. People think of artists and they think of the Monroe Center or Neumann Leathers building, but there are a lot of people in other places in town and around town that are really very talented. It’s a very diverse community and the more exposure to it hopefully will draw people out of town and in town to it.”
Epstein’s art will be on display at Right Angle, a framing shop at 320 Washington St.
Attendees will be able to view his photographs of the flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy as well as shots showcasing life in and around Hoboken.

Other hotspots

Neumann Leathers at 300 Observer Hwy. is home to the renowned artist and tour founder Timothy Daly who will have his work displayed this year. “About 1982, my artist friends and I organized the first Hoboken Studio Tour,” said Daly. “We charged five bucks for a tour map.”
He said he got the idea to start one in Hoboken because of the rise of such tours in New York.
“Well a few art tours and open studio tours had started in Manhattan at the time, SoHo and the Lower East Side, and it seemed like it would be a fun idea to see each others studios and get our art exhibited,” said Daly. “It’s nice to see that it still has legs.”
“It is great citizens and people are coming in,” added Daly. “We probably have 40 or 50 artists [in the Neumann Leathers building], which will have their studios open.”
He added that attendees might even see a few unmapped locations, as some artists don’t sign up for the tour but “just open their doors last-minute, so there could be some real surprises.”
He said he will have several urban industrial landscapes on display.
Anyone wishing to go can simply download a map of tour locations via the city’s website or pick one up at City Hall, 94 Washington St.
At City Hall you can begin the tour right in the lobby. A sculpture called “Plastic Storm” by George Sabra of Austin Texas is currently on exhibit, which represents the massive storm of plastic waste generated by people on a daily basis.
Visitors will have a chance to meet the artists, photographers, sculptors and artisans and witness the creative process at work. Even poets, musicians and performance artists will be on hand to make the day a memorable one, according to Fallo.
Liz Cohen Ndoye and her husband Ibou Ndoye are two artists who are participating in this year’s tour.
Liz will be showcasing her mixed media art including sculptures and glass paintings in both her personal home studio at 235 Garden St. and Hob’art Gallery in the Monroe Center at 720 Monroe St.
“It brings in a lot of people from places far and wide and it enables people, at no charge at all, to see what is going on in the art world. And I think that’s pretty exciting stuff,” said Liz. “It enables us artists out there to be looked at and purchased, which is always a good thing got to move that inventory.”
Ibou will also be exhibiting his work in their home studio including glass paintings, prints, and sculptures.
Liz said she likes to open her home studio in addition to displaying art in galleries, because she thinks people should see the artistic process.
“The nature of the tour is for artists to see our work and the process of creating, as well as finished art,” said Liz. “I love that aspect of the tour. I believe the process is more important than finished work.”

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

Feed your soul

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
-
0
Feed your soul

Over 100 local artists will be featured in this year’s Hoboken Artists’ Studio Tour on Sunday, Nov. 5. The self guided walking tour features local artists’ studios, galleries, and group exhibitions, ranging from sculptures to photographs to paintings. It’s free for attendees.
According to Hoboken Administrator of Cultural Affairs Geri Fallo, the tour is designed so that patrons can walk easily from studio to studio and gallery to gallery as Hoboken is only a square mile and every location is convenient.
The tour takes advantage of Hoboken’s artistic hotspots like the Neumann Leathers complex or the Monroe Center for the Arts.
Union City photographer Joe Epstein will also have some of his photographs on display.
“It’s a good way for people to get to know how many different artists and what type of different artists are in and around Hoboken,” said Epstein of the annual tour. “The art community in town pretty big, but I don’t know if it’s something Hoboken known for. People think of artists and they think of the Monroe Center or Neumann Leathers building, but there are a lot of people in other places in town and around town that are really very talented. It’s a very diverse community and the more exposure to it hopefully will draw people out of town and in town to it.”
Epstein’s art will be on display at Right Angle, a framing shop at 320 Washington St.
Attendees will be able to view his photographs of the flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy as well as shots showcasing life in and around Hoboken.

Other hotspots

Neumann Leathers at 300 Observer Hwy. is home to the renowned artist and tour founder Timothy Daly who will have his work displayed this year. “About 1982, my artist friends and I organized the first Hoboken Studio Tour,” said Daly. “We charged five bucks for a tour map.”
He said he got the idea to start one in Hoboken because of the rise of such tours in New York.
“Well a few art tours and open studio tours had started in Manhattan at the time, SoHo and the Lower East Side, and it seemed like it would be a fun idea to see each others studios and get our art exhibited,” said Daly. “It’s nice to see that it still has legs.”
“It is great citizens and people are coming in,” added Daly. “We probably have 40 or 50 artists [in the Neumann Leathers building], which will have their studios open.”
He added that attendees might even see a few unmapped locations, as some artists don’t sign up for the tour but “just open their doors last-minute, so there could be some real surprises.”
He said he will have several urban industrial landscapes on display.
Anyone wishing to go can simply download a map of tour locations via the city’s website or pick one up at City Hall, 94 Washington St.
At City Hall you can begin the tour right in the lobby. A sculpture called “Plastic Storm” by George Sabra of Austin Texas is currently on exhibit, which represents the massive storm of plastic waste generated by people on a daily basis.
Visitors will have a chance to meet the artists, photographers, sculptors and artisans and witness the creative process at work. Even poets, musicians and performance artists will be on hand to make the day a memorable one, according to Fallo.
Liz Cohen Ndoye and her husband Ibou Ndoye are two artists who are participating in this year’s tour.
Liz will be showcasing her mixed media art including sculptures and glass paintings in both her personal home studio at 235 Garden St. and Hob’art Gallery in the Monroe Center at 720 Monroe St.
“It brings in a lot of people from places far and wide and it enables people, at no charge at all, to see what is going on in the art world. And I think that’s pretty exciting stuff,” said Liz. “It enables us artists out there to be looked at and purchased, which is always a good thing got to move that inventory.”
Ibou will also be exhibiting his work in their home studio including glass paintings, prints, and sculptures.
Liz said she likes to open her home studio in addition to displaying art in galleries, because she thinks people should see the artistic process.
“The nature of the tour is for artists to see our work and the process of creating, as well as finished art,” said Liz. “I love that aspect of the tour. I believe the process is more important than finished work.”

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

Feed your soul

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
-
0
Feed your soul

Over 100 local artists will be featured in this year’s Hoboken Artists’ Studio Tour on Sunday, Nov. 5. The self guided walking tour features local artists’ studios, galleries, and group exhibitions, ranging from sculptures to photographs to paintings. It’s free for attendees.
According to Hoboken Administrator of Cultural Affairs Geri Fallo, the tour is designed so that patrons can walk easily from studio to studio and gallery to gallery as Hoboken is only a square mile and every location is convenient.
The tour takes advantage of Hoboken’s artistic hotspots like the Neumann Leathers complex or the Monroe Center for the Arts.
Union City photographer Joe Epstein will also have some of his photographs on display.
“It’s a good way for people to get to know how many different artists and what type of different artists are in and around Hoboken,” said Epstein of the annual tour. “The art community in town pretty big, but I don’t know if it’s something Hoboken known for. People think of artists and they think of the Monroe Center or Neumann Leathers building, but there are a lot of people in other places in town and around town that are really very talented. It’s a very diverse community and the more exposure to it hopefully will draw people out of town and in town to it.”
Epstein’s art will be on display at Right Angle, a framing shop at 320 Washington St.
Attendees will be able to view his photographs of the flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy as well as shots showcasing life in and around Hoboken.

Other hotspots

Neumann Leathers at 300 Observer Hwy. is home to the renowned artist and tour founder Timothy Daly who will have his work displayed this year. “About 1982, my artist friends and I organized the first Hoboken Studio Tour,” said Daly. “We charged five bucks for a tour map.”
He said he got the idea to start one in Hoboken because of the rise of such tours in New York.
“Well a few art tours and open studio tours had started in Manhattan at the time, SoHo and the Lower East Side, and it seemed like it would be a fun idea to see each others studios and get our art exhibited,” said Daly. “It’s nice to see that it still has legs.”
“It is great citizens and people are coming in,” added Daly. “We probably have 40 or 50 artists [in the Neumann Leathers building], which will have their studios open.”
He added that attendees might even see a few unmapped locations, as some artists don’t sign up for the tour but “just open their doors last-minute, so there could be some real surprises.”
He said he will have several urban industrial landscapes on display.
Anyone wishing to go can simply download a map of tour locations via the city’s website or pick one up at City Hall, 94 Washington St.
At City Hall you can begin the tour right in the lobby. A sculpture called “Plastic Storm” by George Sabra of Austin Texas is currently on exhibit, which represents the massive storm of plastic waste generated by people on a daily basis.
Visitors will have a chance to meet the artists, photographers, sculptors and artisans and witness the creative process at work. Even poets, musicians and performance artists will be on hand to make the day a memorable one, according to Fallo.
Liz Cohen Ndoye and her husband Ibou Ndoye are two artists who are participating in this year’s tour.
Liz will be showcasing her mixed media art including sculptures and glass paintings in both her personal home studio at 235 Garden St. and Hob’art Gallery in the Monroe Center at 720 Monroe St.
“It brings in a lot of people from places far and wide and it enables people, at no charge at all, to see what is going on in the art world. And I think that’s pretty exciting stuff,” said Liz. “It enables us artists out there to be looked at and purchased, which is always a good thing got to move that inventory.”
Ibou will also be exhibiting his work in their home studio including glass paintings, prints, and sculptures.
Liz said she likes to open her home studio in addition to displaying art in galleries, because she thinks people should see the artistic process.
“The nature of the tour is for artists to see our work and the process of creating, as well as finished art,” said Liz. “I love that aspect of the tour. I believe the process is more important than finished work.”

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

Black and white frogs

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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0
Black and white frogs

A hundred and one students age 6 through 12 from Wallace Elementary School have had their artwork published in the “101 Wallace School Frogs Coloring Book.” The book, published in May by Jersey City resident Susan Newman, supports Frogs are Green, a Jersey City-based educational non-profit Newman founded to raise awareness about the decline and possible extinction of amphibians caused by global warming.
The idea for the book came after Newman received 400 entries from Wallace Elementary School in an international contest her organization has run for seven years, the Kids’ Art Contest.
The contest received 1,441 artworks from 32 countries, including Sri Lanka, China, and Turkey, and from around the U.S.
“Every year our reach grows farther and farther and it gets bigger and bigger,” said Newman.
Newman, a part time Wallace teacher, collaborated with the district and with art teacher Lynn Fusco to encourage Wallace students to submit their drawings of frogs.
“Mrs. Fusco decided to take on the contest as a project and work with as many students she could,” said Newman. “Every time I would substitute at Wallace, she would hand me another stack of entries. I had no idea it would become as widespread as it did.”
Newman said it was because of the widespread involvement that she decided to create the coloring book.
“When I got all the art from them, I said I had to do something more with them, because they all did such a great job,” said Newman. “All their submissions were in black and white art, so I thought it would make a great coloring book. I picked the top 101 drawings. We wanted to make sure there was a variety. There is a little bit of fantasy and a little bit of reality and a lot of different types of art in the book. I scanned all the pieces and designed the cover, put it together, and published the book through my non profit.”

_____________
“I wanted to honor their hard work and accomplishment.” – Lynn Fusco
____________

A learning experience

Newman said not only did the children draw frogs for the contest, but they learned about them as well.
“They learned about the patterns frogs have which you can see in their drawings,” said Newman. “They learned about some frog’s ability to camouflage. Some of the art shows frogs disappearing into the background; they learned what frogs eat and what eats frogs, some of the pictures have bugs… There was a lot of learning going on in addition to just art.”
The submissions were also displayed in the lobby of Hoboken City Hall at 94 Washington St.
Fusco and Newman decided to throw a publishing party for the kids in the school’s cafeteria that included cake and copies of the book so the children could see their hard work.
“I just thought it was great idea,” said Fusco. “I wanted to honor their hard work and accomplishment. I don’t think any other school has had a coloring book published in Hoboken.”
“The look on their faces was unbelievable,” said Newman. “They were so excited. I don’t think they really realized they would be published until they saw the book themselves. They were like, ‘holy moly.’ ”
The coloring book is available at frogsaregreen.com and Amazon Smile. If purchased on Amazon, the Wallace Parent Team Organization will receive a portion of the proceeds as long as the purchaser enters Wallace Parent Team Organization as their charity.
According to Newman, the coloring book will also be available at Little City Books on First and Bloomfield streets for $9.95.

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

Cool Customers

Kate Rounds, Editor
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0
Cool Customers

There’s a lot going on in Hoboken. Just ask our Hoboken Reporter staff writer, Marilyn Baer, who writes ongoing stories on hot-button issues such as the budget, Union Dry Dock, scooter rules, green space, you name it.

In Hoboken 07030, we cover cool-button issues: cool people to know, cool things to look at, and cool stuff to do in the beautiful spring and summer season.

Speaking of seasonal fun, in this issue, Marilyn takes a look at Resilience Adventures.  This great organization combines fun paddle sports with environmental awareness. On the Hudson River, right off the boat house, folks can learn to use paddle boards and kayaks, and search for sea life along the shoreline.

Pat Bonner gets down and dirty with some cheese. In our “On the Job With” segment, Pat heads down to Fiore’s to find out just how they make their famous mutz. Don’t try this at home!

We welcome Diana Schwaeble back to the Hudson Reporter family. Diana talks suits and pocket squares with Joseph Genuardi, tailor to the stars. Tucked away in the Neumann Leathers Building, he custom-makes suits for the likes of Barack Obama, and, yes, that other guy who currently occupies the White House.

Diana also gets the lowdown on Hoboken’s Rocket Club.

Tara Ryazansky hits the stacks to get the full story on Hoboken Public Library Director Lina Podles.

Meanwhile, I had a blast talking journalism with kids at the Mustard Seed School.

I was poking around in the dictionary the other day and discovered that the word “magazine” is derived from the word “storehouse.”

In each issue we strive to offer you a storehouse of information. Email me at krounds@hudsonreporter.com and let me know what you would like to see in our storehouse.

Recycled into art

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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Recycled into art

They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This old adage couldn’t be truer for local artist Issa Sow who, in his latest exhibit, recycled old pieces of wood into canvasses for his colorful works of art.

The exhibit, “Hoboken, from Old to New” in the upper gallery of the Hoboken Historical Museum, features over two dozen paintings by Sow painted on cabinet doors, shutters, and unused pieces of wood found in town.

The exhibit

“Everything is art in my mind,” said Sow. “When I saw it, I just got inspired by it.”

Sow said his goal was to make the wood more beautiful.

“My first thought was someone did a lot of work on it to make that material what it is,” said Sow speaking of the shutters and wood he used. “I see something beautiful and I thought, ‘what can I do to make it even more beautiful?’”

Sow said he is constantly inspired by the world around him and that every moment of the day is full of creation, whether it’s getting up to make breakfast in the morning for him and his family, or sitting in the studio.

He said he  wanted to show that many things can be repurposed and recycled.

“Everybody has to do something to help the world,” said Sow. “If we leave them there will just be more and more trash. We have to figure out a plan and do what we can. If everyone just did one thing the world would be cleaner faster.”

Sow said it took him only 15 days to create the pieces in the exhibit. The works of art, created with brightly hued oil pens, express a lot of different imagery including shapes, faces, and animals.

He said the faces show how all living things are connected.

“We are all the same. We are like the birds, the dogs, the cats, the mice and all human beings,” said Sow. “We all have two eyes and nose. It’s very important for me when you see birds and so many animals and don’t know what they are saying or where they are from, but yet we all live together.”

Artistic rebirth

Sow moved to Hoboken roughly eight years ago and opened his own gallery in the Neumann Leather Building at 300 Observer Hwy. nearly six years ago.

Sow, who is originally from Senegal, said one of the reasons he opened the Issyra Gallery was to learn English.

“I came here and I didn’t speak English,” said Sow, who had tried taking classes in the city before deciding to immerse himself in the language through everyday life at the gallery. “I didn’t have one teacher, I had 20 a day and this made me so happy. Everyone became my teachers. I made so many great friends.”

Sow said he had never done art formerly before he came to Hoboken but moving here he was “born again.”

“I was born again here to start a new life here. It’s a new book,” said Sow. “I am so happy to be here and to understand myself on another level. To understand myself in a different way through art and culture.”

“Everybody has to do something to help the world” — Issa Sow.

Issyra Gallery represents work from local and international artists from Africa as well as his own pieces.

It also hosts events which feature a variety of musicians, artists, and poets once a month in ONE ART-Hoboken.

“Hoboken, from Old to New” is on display in the Upper Gallery of the Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St. until March 10.

Museum hours are from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday; and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5.

For updates on this and other stories keep checking www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at Marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

 

 

 

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