Art in the Atrium Opens 34th Annual Exhibit in Morris County
- County of Morris
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Art in the Atrium Opens 34th Annual Exhibit in Morris County
Juneteenth Arts Celebration Showcases Work of More Than 40 Black Artists
More than 40 African American, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latino artists are featured in the 34th annual Art in the Atrium (ATA) exhibit, “From Many to One: A New Tribe,” which officially opened this week with a public reception at the Morris County Administration and Records Building in Morristown.
Artists from as far as Atlanta, Georgia attended the signature county Juneteenth Arts Celebration event yesterday, presented in partnership with ATA, the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), Morris Arts and Morris Museum.
“Morris County is proud to host this exhibit each year right here in the Administration and Records Building, and we are equally proud to recognize Juneteenth as a county holiday, marking the end of slavery and the promise of freedom for all Americans,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw, who delivered remarks at the June 11 reception on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners. “Thank you to the artists, organizers and everyone who made this exhibit possible -- and thank you all for supporting the arts, preserving history and celebrating the stories that bring us together.”
ATA was founded in 1991 by Charles and Viki Craig. Viki Craig, who passed away in 2018, is memorialized with a plaque in the fifth-floor atrium. Today, their daughter, Simone Craig, leads the organization, continuing its mission to elevate Black artists and enrich New Jersey’s cultural landscape.
This year’s exhibit curated by Onnie Strother and Nette Thomas features nearly 180 works of art by more than 40 artists, including M. Gasby Brown, Philemona Williamson, Beverly McCutcheon and Lola Flash. The artists present diverse perspectives on identity, heritage, community and the Black experience. Visitors are welcomed on the fifth floor by Brown’s “Black Beauty” series, a collection of elegant mixed-media portraits celebrating the strength and beauty of Black women. Nearby, Williamson’s “Equality of Balance” greets guests at the entrance to the adjoining atrium gallery.
Their work joins a vibrant display of collages, paintings, photographs and mixed-media pieces spanning four floors of the county building at 10 Court Street. The exhibit is open to the public weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,with extended hours on Wednesdays until 7:30 p.m., through Sept. 18.
The Atrium Gallery traces its origins to 1977, when the Morris County Heritage Commission began hosting small exhibitions of paintings, prints and photographs in a waiting room of what is now the Morris County Courthouse Annex. Since then, the gallery has expanded to four floors of the Administration and Records Building and hosts several exhibitions annually, including displays featuring student artwork, through a partnership with Morris Arts. Morris Arts assumed oversight of the Atrium Gallery in 2008, helping transform the space into one of the county's most accessible public art venues and attracting thousands of visitors over the years.
The opening reception for ATA's 34th annual exhibit was sponsored by Valley Bank. Patron of the Arts sponsors include the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Operating support is provided by the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund and Morris Arts.
The Juneteenth Arts Celebration continues on June 18 at the Morris Museum with “Juneteenth Arts Celebration: Night at the Morris Museum,” featuring a curator-led tour of the museum’s galleries and a panel discussion moderated by Donna Walker-Kuhne. Panelists include artists Ron E.A. Powell and O’Neil Scott, gallery owner Tanya Weddemire and Cheryl Mack of Bridge Art Gallery.
Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, news of emancipation did not reach the last remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas, until June 19, 1865. Today, the holiday honors Black freedom, resilience and culture.
About Art in the Atrium, Inc.
Founded in 1991 by Charles and Viki Craig, Art in the Atrium, Inc. (ATA) is New Jersey’s largest exhibitor of African American fine art. A Black-led, critically acclaimed nonprofit, ATA supports Black artists through exhibitions, educational programming and professional development. The organization also offers youth outreach through its ATA STEAM Academy and scholarships for Black arts students.
For more information, visit artintheatrium.org.
Photo 1: Featured artist Beverly McCutcheon talks to viewers about her artwork, which included two series: Wallflower Portraits and Ladies on Lace.
Photo 2: Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw delivers remarks at the event.
Photo 3: Reception attendees admire work by Philemona Williamson, one of the featured artists.
Photo 4: Charles Craig says a few words at the event. He and his late wife Viki Craig founded the art show in 1991.
Photo 5: The Atrium Gallery holds four floors of artwork illuminated by natural light.
