The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie announced the launch of their “Curated by Trenton” exhibit, a celebration of the talent and vision of local artists. The exhibit will be on display at Trenton City Museum (1 Theater Ln, Trenton, NJ 08606) through January 22nd, 2023. Per Lead Curator and Managing Director of Artworks C.a. Shofed, “These curators have been doing interesting things in respective locations for the last few years. Each of them is inventive in their way, each making a special effort to highlight the talented art community in Trenton or discovering a hidden gem. None of them is unapproachable, all are artists in their own right. I’m proud to be working with each one of them and Trenton City Museum.”
With over 20+ artists featured and 6 curated shows from some of Trenton’s top talent, the museum is certain to be brimming with eye-catching masterpieces. Read on to learn more about each of the talented artists behind the exhibit:
- C.a. Shofed: C.a. Shofed is a photography and fierce advocate for the arts in Trenton. Described as “industrial meets nature”, his art highlights the beauty in settings that would not otherwise naturally be considered beautiful. With an uncanny ability to capture magic in the mundane, his photos turn the ordinary to the extraordinary. Shofed is also the Managing Director of Artworks, a Trenton-based arts coalition that brings art exhibits and programing to Trenton each year.
- Lank: Johnathan Conner, otherwise known as Lank, is an artist, educator, and designer. He has created public art, murals, and has even designed signage for Whole Foods. He is also a founding member of the S.A.G.E Coalition, a city beautification initiative. Aside from his art, Conner serves as a professor of drawing, two-dimensional art, and digital media at Mercer County Community College.
- Buck Malvo: Buck Malvo is an artist and curator of arts events throughout the City of Trenton. As a Trenton native, he utilizes his talents and expertise to further forge the thriving arts community in Trenton. Recently, Malvo was responsible for curating First Fridays events for the Mill Hill Saloon, bringing together a variety of Trentonians to celebrate local arts and culture.
- Heather Palecek: Heather Palecek is a fine artist, educator, and photographer based in Trenton. Palecek specializes in a variety of mediums, including pinhole photography, lumen printing, cyanotype, and media-media cameraless photography. Her work has been featured regionally and internationally. Much of her work explores the themes of man’s relationship to nature, amongst one another, and with oneself.
- Brass Rabbit: Brass Rabbit is a data artist and curator who lives and works in Trenton, NJ. She uses the mediums of photography and data collection to create meaningful pieces. Much of her art explores themes of social expectations and economic inequality. Her work has been featured in regional and international galleries, as well as a myriad of private collections. Besides her art, Brass Rabbit is also the founder of Brass Rabbit LLC, an arts-based consulting firm that serves artists, non-profit groups, and small businesses. Some of the services she offers includes content editing, exhibit curation, and more.
- Habiyb Shu’aib: Habiyb Shu’aib is a Trenton-based photographer who has spent much of his career capturing the beauty of the Capital City. He is also a fine art curator, bringing his vision to galleries throughout the region. Through moments of both pride and pain, Shu’aib has a unique capacity for capturing the raw essence of the city. As a Trenton native, his work speaks to the complex reality that many of our city’s residents face on a day-to-day basis.
The talent and expertise of the curators who brought this vision to life are certain to create a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit you won’t want to miss. If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact the Trenton City Museum at info@ellarslie.org.
