Project For Empty Space

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Newark Grounds: Benefit for Public Art + Celebration of Groundbreakers. Scroll for some highlights!

Yesterday, we were honored to celebrate three visionary leaders whose support continues to shape Newark’s public art and creative communities: Chantal Fischzang (), Marcy DePina (), & Tai Cooper. 

The night included jazz performance by Brick City Soul Collective (), surprise proclamations by Valerie Valle, from the Office of Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, & a Kaleidoscope-making station by Damien Davis (), inspired by his upcoming sculptural installation in Mulberry Commons.

Thank you to GlassRoots () for creating the awards for our honorees, & thank you to our sponsors CoolVines () & All Points West Distillery ().

Thank you to our fabulous PES Board Members, including Lewis Long (), who raised a wonderful toast in honor of our artists, and Melissa Osterwind (), who led a powerful Live Appeal in support of our mission.
Special thanks to this year’s Community Partner, Leaders Circle, and Host Committee:

Thank you to our Community Partner Newark Alliance ().

Our Leaders Circle included the Department of Arts, Culture, and Media (RU-N) (), Edison Properties Newark Foundation, Express Newark (), RBH Group (), SRI Fine Art Services (), and The Fidelco Group.

Our Host Committee included Deborah Q. Belfatto, BJH Advisors, Naina Boveja, Patricia Capawana,, David Antonio Cruz, Damien Davis, Cat Dawson, Teddi & Scott Dolph, Anne & Peter Englot, Tiana Webb Evans, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC, Amy Goldrich, Hanini Group, Michi Jigarjian, Eirini Linardaki, Lewis Long, Linda Morgan & Phil Haws, Newark Arts Council, Melissa Osterwind, Paramount Assets, Ann & Mel Schaffer, SILVERMAN, Rosemary & Robert Steinbaum, Mickalene Thomas, Tiny Gallery, Michele Tortorelli & Tom Kearns, Shoshanna Weinberger, and Talia Young.

Images by Rachel Fawn Alban () and Carlos Hernandez ().

We are just 🎉 ONE WEEK AWAY 🎉from Newark Grounds: Benefit for Public Art + Celebration of Groundbreakers — an evening honoring Chantal Fischzang (), Marcy DePina (), and Tai Cooper, visionary leaders whose support and investment continue to shape Newark’s public art and creative communities.

Join us on Thursday, May 28, at 7 PM at PES at Ironside Newark (110 Edison Place, Newark, NJ). VIP ticket holders are invited to an exclusive reception beginning at 6PM. Learn more and secure your ticket 📲 tinyurl.com/2026groundbreakerawards! ✨

👏 Major support has been provided through the generosity of our visionary leaders:

This year’s Community Partner is Newark Alliance ().

Our Leaders Circle includes the Department of Arts, Culture, and Media (RU-N) (), Edison Properties Newark Foundation, Express Newark (), RBH Group (), SRI Fine Art Services (), and The Fidelco Group. 👏

Our Host Committee includes Deborah Q. Belfatto (), BJH Advisors (), Naina Boveja, Patricia Capawana (.capawana), David Antonio Cruz, Damien Davis (), Cat Dawson (), Teddi & Scott Dolph (), Anne & Peter Englot (.englot)(.englot), Tiana Webb Evans (), Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC, Amy Goldrich (), Hanini Group (), Michi Jigarjian (), Eirini Linardaki (), Lewis Long, Linda Morgan & Phil Haws (), Newark Arts Council (), Melissa Osterwind (), Paramount Assets (), Ann & Mel Schaffer (), SILVERMAN (), Rosemary & Robert Steinbaum, Mickalene Thomas (), Tiny Gallery (), Michele Tortorelli & Tom Kearns, Shoshanna Weinberger (), and Talia Young () (list in formation). 🎉