SJCA Annual Meeting at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts
On October 18, 2024, the South Jersey Cultural Alliance (SJCA) will hold its annual meeting at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts located on High Street in Millville, NJ from 1:00 - 3:00 PM with an Storytelling Workshop from 3:00 - 4:00 PM at Reese's House on Sassafrass street behind the Annual Meeting location.
A Gallery Steeped in History
Since April of 2001, the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts (RRCA) has been a non-profit community arts and cultural center in the heart of Millville. Located in the first block of High Street, the center provides a space for creatives, and the community to use for meetings, events and monthly 3rd Friday art receptions.
RRCA was the pioneering organization in the establishment of Millville's downtown revitalization plan in 2001, and has since continued to lead the way, both individually and through strategic partnerships, in the growth and success of center city. Since its inception, RRCA has worked strategically with city government, and others to use the creative power of the arts to build an ever-changing arts district in the downtown area and attract artists and patrons from the region.
The arts center first began as an idea developed collaboratively by artists, the city’s leaders and community members in 1999. These groups and individuals saw a need for a community arts center and in 2001 they made it happen. What was once an abandoned men and boy’s store on a “main street” of vacant stores was creatively rehabilitated as a gallery and art center. Today, the RRCA is a thriving non-profit and charitable organization supported by many. The RRCA’s history and its accomplishments make it proud of its past and excited for its future.
October 2024 Exhibits: A Glimpse into Local Artistic Excellence
In October 2024, the Center will showcase several exciting exhibits, each offering a unique perspective on the artistic talent thriving in Southern New Jersey. The exhibits will include works that span various forms, from traditional painting and sculpture to more experimental, contemporary pieces.
Among the highlights:
- “ASSOCIATE ARTIST ALCOVE: Lisa Jean & Tania Pomales”: The Associate Artist Alcove at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts is proud to showcase the works of two remarkable artists, Lisa Jean and Tania Pomales, whose distinct styles and artistic visions offer a compelling contrast and dialogue within the gallery space.
- “Daydreams & Nightmares”: This October, the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts invites you to step into the world of imagination and contradiction with its latest exhibit, Daydreams and Nightmares. As we approach the season of Halloween, we challenge artists to reveal the duality of their visions—where beauty meets the bizarre, and serenity transforms into the surreal. In this exhibit, we seek to balance the sweetness of your daydreams with the unsettling nature of your nightmares. Whether it’s the whimsical imagery of your lightest fantasies or the dark shadows of your subconscious fears, we encourage you to explore the full spectrum of your creative imagination. Expect a captivating collection that juxtaposes light and dark, hope and fear, and serenity and chaos. This exhibit will open on October 18 with a reception from 6 pm to 8 pm, running through November 9, perfectly timed for the Halloween season. The gallery promises to take visitors on a journey that embraces the opposing forces of our dreams and nightmares, sparking reflection, curiosity, and perhaps a little unease. Be prepared for an artistic experience that will both soothe and unsettle, as we explore the tension between our waking fantasies and the unsettling visions that emerge in the dark of night.
These exhibits will provide a stunning backdrop to SJCA’s annual meeting, where members of the arts community will gather to discuss future initiatives, celebrate past successes, and explore new ways to support and promote the arts throughout Southern New Jersey.
A Meeting Ground for Art and Collaboration
The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts is more than just a gallery; it’s a community space where creativity and collaboration thrive. The Center offers a wide range of programming, from art classes and workshops to live performances and special events. As a cultural cornerstone of Millville, it continues to bring people together through shared artistic experiences, making it the ideal venue for SJCA’s annual meeting.
The meeting will include a variety of activities, from a keynote address to live performances and networking opportunities, with a limited seating storytelling workshop featuring award-winning storyteller Michelle Washington Wilson at Reese's House behind the venue. Attendees will not only have the opportunity to engage in important discussions about the future of the arts but also explore the beautiful and inspiring exhibits on display at the Center.
Looking Forward to October 18, 2024
As we gather for the SJCA Annual Meeting, we are honored to host this event at a venue at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts. With its rich history and exciting exhibits, the Center reflects the vibrant and diverse arts community that SJCA is proud to support. We look forward to welcoming artists, creatives, and arts enthusiasts from across Southern New Jersey to join us in celebrating another year of artistic growth and collaboration.
Together, in this vibrant space, we’ll continue to foster the creative energy that makes Southern New Jersey’s arts community so unique and thriving.
