Express Newark Events Allow Artists and Non-Artists to Create, and Appreciate, Art

Express Newark invites artists and non-artists alike to explore the act of creating, and appreciating, art across all mediums – from music to sculpture –in a series of events that span the semester and beyond.

Artist-led workshops, salons, and collaborative sessions encourage participants – both on and off campus – to see the world from different perspectives, through the lens of different artistic disciplines. All events are free and open to the public.

“These offerings deepen our mission of bringing campus and community together through artist-led exchange, expanding our studios and interdisciplinary work as a place shaped by participation and ongoing dialogue,’’ said Nick Kline,co-director of Express Newark.

The programs are part of Express Newark’s year-long theme, “Rhythm Changes,” a concept drawn from jazz that celebrates improvisation, experimentation and collective exchange.

“An important goal is to highlight and prepare learners to think transdisciplinary,” said Anthony Alvarez, Express Newark Director of Educational Initiatives.

“Emerging artists and professionals are being called to be more integrative than ever. Programs like the Lyrics Matter Salon Series put students, community members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds in the same room where the fine artist, the designer, the lyricist, the engineers, and executives can stretch the room and begin to build collaborations that are meaningful,’’ he said.

Below is a sampling of upcoming workshops and creative sessions.

Drawing Room, Express Newark
Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m. January-July.
Inspired by historic drawing rooms, this installation reimagines the gallery as a shared space for reflection, conversation and creative exchange. Visitors can participate in free life drawing sessions accompanied by live music while engaging with fellow artists and observers. The open-format gathering encourages both experienced artists and beginners to sketch, talk and experiment together in an informal environment.

Still Life Drawing Workshops
Dates and times vary
Paul Robeson Gallery
These sessions invite participants to practice observational drawing using arranged still-life compositions. Designed for artists at multiple skill levels, the workshops emphasize fundamental techniques—such as proportion, shading and composition—while creating an accessible entry point for community members interested in drawing.

Sculpting the Figure: Introduction to Figure Sculpture
March 26
Express Newark
Led by sculptor Keary Rosen, this introductory workshop explores the fundamentals of sculpting the human figure. Participants will learn basic techniques for shaping and structuring three-dimensional forms while developing an understanding of proportion, anatomy and gesture. The session offers hands-on experience for beginners interested in translating drawing or observation into sculpture.

Harmony Lab Workshops
Mondays, 7 p.m.
Express Newark
Inspired by the teachings of legendary jazz pianist Barry Harris, Harmony Lab sessions explore the theory and practice of musical harmony. Presented in collaboration with the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers–Newark, the workshops provide musicians with an opportunity to deepen their listening skills and artistic awareness while examining harmonic structures central to jazz improvisation.

Harmony Hang
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Express Newark
A companion to the Harmony Lab workshops, Harmony Hang offers an open session where musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and apply what they have learned in a collaborative setting. The gathering focuses on experimentation and listening—key components of improvisational practice.

Gospel Music Workshop Series
Saturdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., through May
Mondays, 11:30 a.m.–12:50 p.m. at Paul Robeson Galleries
Newark-based pianist and educator Brandon McCune leads a biweekly seminar exploring gospel music traditions. The workshops examine the musical structures and cultural foundations of gospel performance while emphasizing underlying themes of empathy, service and community expression.

Lyrics Matter: The Salon Series
Express Newark
The Lyrics Matter salon series explores the craft and cultural significance of lyric writing. In a featured session, rapper and lyricist Rah Digga discusses the art of writing lyrics, offering insight into storytelling, rhythm and the creative process behind hip-hop composition. The salon format encourages conversation and exchange between artists, students and audiences.

Form Design Workshop
Thursdays, 6–9 p.m. (next session April 9)
Express Newark
These design-focused sessions examine how artists can combine digital tools with physical materials to create new forms of visual work. Participants experiment with integrating technology and hands-on craft while exploring how digital processes can expand traditional design practices.

Sound Bath Sessions
March 18, April 15 and May 6
Two sessions each day, Express Newark
These immersive listening experiences invite participants to relax amid resonant tones and gentle vibrations. Designed as a meditative sonic environment, the sessions provide yoga mats and water while encouraging attendees to experience sound as a form of reflection and creative

Sculpt The Figure with Prof. Keary Rosen
Thursday March 26th, 6pm-8pm, Express Newark
Join us for a special Drawing Room evening! Come ready to explore, make mistakes, and have fun-no experience needed, just curiosity. Get your hands dirty and bring the human figure to life in this free, beginner-friendly figure sculpting class!

Portrait in Presence:
A Salon Series Inspired by Paul Robeson and James Van der Zee
Fridays March 20, April 24, and May 8
Presence in Portrait is a three-part interdisciplinary salon series that activates Paul Robeson Galleries at Express Newark as a working studio environment where portraiture and performance occur in real time. Inspired by Paul Robeson and James Van Der Zee, the series blends photography,
spoken word, music, movement, and dialogue into creative sessions.

Community Media Center Events

The Bigger Picture: Visions of Ben Jones
Film Screening + Discussion
FRIDAY MARCH 13 6PM-8:30PM, Express Newark

Join us for a screening of the new documentary film The Bigger Picture: Visions of Ben Jones and discussion with artist, Ben F. Jones, and filmmaker, Souleyman Garcia!

The Bigger Picture: Visions of Ben Jones is a documentary film that offers a compelling exploration into the importance of art as a catalyst for change and revolution in an inequitable world. The Bigger Picture examines these themes through the unique lens of the artist Ben F. Jones, a 1963 William Paterson University graduate and New Jersey City University Professor emeritus of art. For over six decades, he has explored global, social and political issues, showing the connections between racism, capitalism and the environment through a bold and visual style. Through his extensive body of work, we explore the complexities of Imperial history and its legacy. The film illuminates the connected narratives from the UK, USA and Cuba, that have been historically marginalized or suppressed.

Saturdays with Renee Live!
March 14 10:30AM - 1PM, Express Newark
Join us for a live podcast recording of Black Liberation Media podcast 
Saturdays with Renee! at Express Newark in Newark, NJ. Doors open at 10:30am, show will begin (as always) at 11am. Join Jared Ball, Mtume Gant, Geechee Yaw and Renee Johnston for our first show with a live audience.