Project For Empty Space

🗣️ “What does 15 years mean to us? It means honoring every artist who has trusted us with their vision. It means celebrating the many, many communities we serve across the country. And it means amplifying the partnerships that make this work possible.” 🤝 🎉 Last night, we launched our 15 Year Campaign at the 2025 Badass Art Woman Awards! We started the evening with the story of us and our 15-year legacy. Watch our journey above. ✨ We’re so thankful for everyone who’s been on this journey with us for 15 years! Stay tuned for more on last night’s celebration. 🪩 Thank you 👏 to our featured PES family members—Artist in Residence Adama Delphine Fawundu (@adamadelphine ), Damien Davis (@damiendavis ), Ron Norsworthy (@ronnorsworthy ), Shoshanna Weinberger (@shoshannaweinberger ) —along with PES Board Member Melissa Osterwind (@melissaosterwind ) and Tiana Webb Evans (@tiana_webb_evans ), for sharing their voices. 🎥 Video produced by Plusable (@plusable_pr ).

Next Tuesday, May 19, join us from 7:30-8:30 for cocktails and conversation with artist David Antonio Cruz on the occasion of his exhibition black/backroom at PES Futures! Cruz will be joined by PES Co-Directors Jasmine Wahi & Rebecca Pauline Jampol to discuss the exhibition, which continues his unveiling of Queer-Brown-Histories, reflecting on how his work shapes potentialities through intersecting themes of loss, desire, and legacy. Their discussion will contend with how the landscape of art for queer-Brown identities has shifted over the past decade, and in some ways devolved. Looking back at Cruz’s inaugural residency with Project for Empty Space and the coinciding exhibition in 2016, they will consider how Cruz’s practice has evolved while working in community with PES, to underscore how ‘black/backroom’ points toward an abundant future ✨. Head to the link in our (@pesfutures ) bio to RSVP! 🔗 Slides 3-4: Exhibition view of ‘black/backroom’ at PES FUTURES (128 Baxter, NYC) Slides 5-6: Exhibition view of ‘FOR I AM, OR I WAS. THERETURNOFTHEDIRTYBOYS’ at Project for Empty Space (2 Gateway Ctr, Newark, NJ)

David Antonio Cruz’s “black/backroom” at PES FUTURES features a small collage and three personal archive elements tucked throughout the space. Slide 1: Frank (1995)—a tender drawing honoring a past relationship. Cruz captures his partner at rest, turning vulnerability and intimacy into an archival act. Slide 2: Bésame Mucho (2026) —a collage intervening on an archival postcard (originally a man kissing a woman’s cheek). Cruz layers a male buttocks over the scene, playfully reorienting the image toward queer desire. Who gets to kiss whom? Slide 4: A 1965 vintage photo of Cruz’s grandfather, installed alongside an untitled 2020 drawing of a friend in a park—a friend lost to COVID-19. Together, they speak to ancestral legacy and sudden absence, linking personal grief to collective trauma. “black/backroom” considers future-making through loss, desire, and the legacy of Cruz’s grandparents’ land—Puerto Rico. The immersive exhibition envelops viewers in ghostly floral wallpaper (Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, NY), leading to a surprise resting spot, all crescendoing around chandeliers that hold intimate sculptural objects. Come take a closer look at 128 Baxter, on view until August 1, 2026! Link in bio for more.

What a beautiful morning at Project for Empty Space! ☀️ Thank you to everyone who joined us for “Sounds Like Home / Suena a Casa Family Day” in Newark, co-hosted with Para KIDS! (@parakidsbooks ). The day was filled with multilingual arts and crafts designed by Chantal Fischzang (@chantista ) and Gisela Ochoa (@gisela.co ), reading circles led by Para KIDS! founder Daniela Palacios, and a special book signing. We loved welcoming young people and families into the space to explore the exhibition together. 🌈🖍️📚 Para KIDS! is a bilingual education company that empowers youth to feel confident in both English and Spanish. Featured titles included S”ara’s New Country and New Friend / El Nuevo País y la Nueva Amiga de Sara” and “Sara’s Friendship Passport / El Pasaporte de Amistad de Sara / Passaporte de Amizade de Sara” — all part of an onsite multilingual library curated by Lives In Translation. ✨ This event is part of “A Feeling of Itself”, a three-part program developed by Project for Empty Space, Lives In Translation (@litrutgers ), and the Design Consortium at Rutgers University–Newark, unfolding across multiple Newark sites from March through June. Learn more at projectforemptyspace.org/afeelingofitself

“Welcome, reader. This is the day your world and my world meet under one sky…or wait—many skies? Is that a thing? How many skies can we see? I think it depends on how we look.” ☁️ Scroll ➡️ for a peek at “Dream Up: Constellation Bench”, a new publication celebrating “Constellation Bench” by Eirini Linardaki (@linardakiandco )! ✨ Inside, you’ll find behind-the-scenes images, insights from the artist, details on how the sculpture came to life, and even an interactive collage sticker activity. 🎉 First editions of the book were given out at the sculpture’s unveiling, and more copies will be available during the bench’s upcoming programming. Stay tuned! 🌃 “Constellation Bench” is the inaugural sculpture of Newark Grounds, an initiative to create a more continuous, walkable cultural corridor in downtown Newark. The route links nearly 100 public artworks and spaces along a pedestrian-friendly path connecting Newark Penn Station to Teachers Village and beyond. ⭐️ The star-shaped installation serves as seating and gathering space. Inspired by a search for a place to picnic, it responds to the need for welcoming, inclusive public spaces. Drawing on constellations—ancient systems of navigation and connection—the sculpture’s radiating arms symbolize the many cultures and stories that converge in the city. “Constellation Bench” is currently on view in📍Mulberry Commons in Newark, New Jersey, and will remain on view through August 2026.

Last week, Tareq Baconi joined Amir Moosavi, Associate Professor of English at RU-N, for a powerful conversation about his memoir Fire In Every Direction. They discussed the challenges of writing across generations of displacement, coming to terms with queer identity, and political awakening around the Palestinian cause. Thank you, Tareq and Amir, for such a thoughtful evening. Thank you to everyone who showed up and held space together. And thank you to @projectforemptyspace and @runspanishportuguese for your continued support. ✨ The event is part of A Feeling of Itself, a three-part program developed by Project for Empty Space, Lives in Translation, and the Design Consortium at Rutgers University–Newark unfolding across multiple Newark sites from March through June 2026.

Project for Empty Space is proud to collaborate with @rwjbarnabas_health to develop public art for its newest partnership-driven spaces. ⚕️RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with @saintjameshealth , is commissioning a second large-scale mural as part of the redevelopment of 604 Market Street in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood. This new outpatient clinic will expand access to community-based healthcare services and represent a visible investment in the health and well-being of Newark residents. ✨We are currently inviting proposals from New Jersey–based artists for this public art commission. 🎨 The selected artist will create a mural that reflects the shared mission of RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James Health: delivering accessible, compassionate, whole-family care rooted in dignity, trust, and long-term community wellbeing. The artwork should communicate—without words—that this is a place where people are welcomed, supported, and cared for. It should feel approachable to all who encounter it, including patients, families, staff, neighbors, and young people, while expressing a broad vision of wellness that includes prevention, nourishment, healing, and intergenerational support. A request for proposals is now live on Project for Empty Space’s Submittable platform. The deadline for proposals is July 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM. 🔗 Learn more link in bio.

This Saturday! Join PES, Lives in Translation @litrutgers , and Para KIDS! @parakidsbooks on Saturday, May 9th at 📍800 Broad Street, Newark, for a day of workshops and creative art-making! 🌈🖍️📚 Para KIDS!, a bilingual education company, empowers youth to feel confident in both English and Spanish. The day will feature hands-on crafts ✂️, coloring activities 🎨, and bilingual bingo worksheets —all inspired by themes of friendship and immigration. 📖 There will be a special reading and book giveaway at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. 📘 In addition, Para KIDS! publications will be on view in the exhibition, and a limited number will be available to take home. Featured titles include Sara’s New Country and New Friend / El Nuevo País y la Nueva Amiga de Sara and Sara’s Friendship Passport / El Pasaporte de Amistad de Sara / Passaporte de Amizade sa Sara, all part of a multilingual library curated by Lives In Translation. ⬆️ RSVP via Link in Bio! ✨ The event is part of A Feeling of Itself, a three-part program developed by Project for Empty Space, Lives in Translation, and the Design Consortium at Rutgers University–Newark unfolding across multiple Newark sites from March through June 2026.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the unveiling and celebration of “Constellation Bench,” a new public sculpture by artist Eirini Linardaki (@linardakiandco )! Congratulations, Eirini! Scroll ➡️ for highlights 🎉 The event started with an introduction from PES Co-Directors Jasmine Wahi (@browngirlcurator ) and Rebecca Pauline Jampol (@rjampol ) a stunning performance by Brandon Mejia (@brandonw.mejia ), Devonne (@sophiasdaughter_ ), Janétza Miranda (@jane.tza ), and Yeimi Gamez Castillo (@yeiei.y ), and followed by remarks from the artist, Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Tai Cooper (Chief Community Development Officer, New Jersey Economic Development Authority), and Marcy DePina (Executive Director, Newark City Parks Foundation) (@marcydepina ). ✨ This work wouldn’t be possible without our collaborators and partners: the NJEDA (@newjerseyeda ), the Newark City Parks Foundation (@newarkcityparks ), the City of Newark Division of Art and Cultural Affairs (@cityofnewarknj ), Newark Arts and Education District (@newarkartsed ), Newark Alliance (@newarkalliance60 ), Newark Happening (@newarkhappening ), Newark Downtown District (@newarkdowntowndistrict ), Newark Arts Council (@newarkarts ), Four Corners Public Arts Partnership (@fourcornerspublicarts ), and the Rutgers University–Newark Design Consortium (@acm_gd ). 👏 Thank you to SRI Fine Art Services (@srifineartservices ) for installation support! 🌃 “Constellation Bench” is the inaugural sculpture of Newark Grounds, an initiative to create a more continuous, walkable cultural corridor in downtown Newark. The route links nearly 100 public artworks and spaces along a pedestrian-friendly path connecting Newark Penn Station to Teachers Village and beyond. ⭐️ The star-shaped installation serves as seating and gathering space. Inspired by a search for a place to picnic, it responds to the need for welcoming, inclusive public spaces. Drawing on constellations—ancient systems of navigation and connection—the sculpture’s radiating arms symbolize the many cultures and stories that converge in the city. “Constellation Bench” is currently on view in📍Mulberry Commons in Newark, New Jersey, and will remain on view through August 2026.

Constellation Bench unveiling by artist @linardakiandco at Mulberry Commons📍🎨🌳

Today at 2pm! Newark Grounds, led by Project for Empty Space in collaboration with civic and cultural partners, announces the unveiling of “Constellation Bench,” a new public sculpture by artist Eirini Linardaki (@linardakiandco ). 👏 🎉 The work will be revealed at📍Mulberry Commons in Newark, New Jersey, and will remain on view through August 2026. RSVP at constellationbench.eventbrite.com or via 🔗 link in bio! 🗣️ “I wanted to create an artwork where people in Newark can feel welcomed—to rest, be in peace, gather with friends, eat, listen to music, and reflect on the multiculturalism of our community. By coming together and sharing the beauty of our different cultures, we can find solace under the stars and recognize that we are all part of one vast universe.” — Eirini Linardaki, Artist ➡️ “Constellation Bench” is the inaugural sculpture of Newark Grounds (@newarkgrounds ), an initiative to create a more continuous, walkable cultural corridor in downtown Newark. The route links nearly 100 public artworks and spaces along a pedestrian-friendly path connecting Newark Penn Station to Teachers Village and beyond. The star-shaped installation serves as seating and gathering space. Inspired by a search for a place to picnic, it responds to the need for welcoming, inclusive public spaces. Drawing on constellations—ancient systems of navigation and connection—the sculpture’s radiating arms symbolize the many cultures and stories that converge in the city. 🌳 Developed with the Newark City Parks Foundation (@newarkcityparks ), the program reflects a shared commitment to parks as vital civic spaces and integrating public art into everyday life. The initiative is a collaboration with the City of Newark Division of Art and Cultural Affairs (@cityofnewarknj ), Newark Arts and Education District (@newarkartsed ), Newark Alliance (@newarkalliance60 ), Newark Happening (@newarkhappening ), Newark Downtown District (@newarkdowntowndistrict ), Newark Arts Council (@newarkarts ), Four Corners Public Arts Partnership (@fourcornerspublicarts ), and the Rutgers University–Newark Design Consortium (@acm_gd ).

🌟Families! Join us on Saturday, May 9, from 11 AM to 3 PM for “Sounds Like Home/Suena a Casa”, co-hosted by Para KIDS @parakidsbooks ! There will be a special reading and book giveaway at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. ⬆️ RSVP via Link in Bio! ✨The event is part of “A Feeling of Itself,” a three-part program developed by Project for Empty Space, Lives in Translation @litrutgers , and the Design Consortium at Rutgers University–Newark, led by designers Chantal Fischzang @chantista and Gisela Ochoa @gise.la.co , unfolding across multiple Newark sites from March through June 2026. The event will take place at 📍800 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102, within the exhibition space. 📚Para KIDS!, a bilingual education company, empowers youth to feel confident in both English and Spanish. The day will feature hands-on crafts, coloring activities, and bilingual bingo worksheets—all inspired by themes of friendship and immigration. In addition, Para KIDS! publications will be on view in the exhibition, and a limited number will be available to take home. Featured titles include “Sara’s New Country and New Friend / El Nuevo País y la Nueva Amiga de Sara” and “Sara’s Friendship Passport / El Pasaporte de Amistad de Sara,” all part of a multilingual library curated by Lives In Translation.