About

The 10-block Valley Arts District is located in the old industrial core of the Valley neighborhood on the Orange/West Orange border. Once known as the “hat making capitol of the world,” it is home to Italian restaurants and workingmen’s taverns. Yet the 1980s and 1990s were hard on the area: buildings fell into disrepair, businesses suffered, the neighborhood’s natural vitality faded away.

In 2001 an array of stakeholders – residents, artists, local government, public and private funders – created a common vision of the neighborhood as the urban village of the 21st century and figured out how to work together to make that vision a reality. The Valley Plan was the first proposal to be approved by the State under the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Act, opening the door for $10 million in corporate tax credit investment which in turn will bring in another $150 million in private development.

Today artists creating in many different media live and work in the Valley Arts District in renovated spaces in old factory buildings. Music and poetry festivals, curated art shows, a graphic design business run by teenagers, and new restaurants and performance spaces provide opportunities for community, creativity and celebrations of all kinds.

For more information about the Valley Arts District, contact Lorena La Grassa at lorenalagra@gmail.com.

Coordinator Statement

 

When I was given the opportunity to take over the helm at ValleyArts, I saw this as the extraordinary opening to unveil the consciousness of the Valley that my past experience as coordinator of two of its recent major art events in 2009 have given me. I am aware of the potential that this community is offering, ready to transform and to be make it “The place to go” virtually and in person. My appreciation of this unique geographic area comes also from my prospective as artist. A territory of historical industrial buildings and open uncharted sites gives artists an opportunity for new themes and inspirations.

As the new coordinator of the Valley Arts District my commitment is to inspire, encourage and promote art in this community. Embracing the idea of celebrating art as a catalyst for growth and development, my goal is to nurture and support relationships with many local and non-local art organizations under the common belief that art is and will make a difference. I also will consolidate the interaction with the local community with the increment of educational programs and activities for the youth along with accomplishing a growing range of curated exhibitions, exhibition events and initiatives attracting an increasing the number of visitors and participants every year. The result of this effort will be the creation of a strong identity among the local population, the art community and all the supporting organizations.

The Valley Arts District is a vibrant growing community of resident artists and a diverse multicultural population. One my desires, is to support and create a number of public art projects, interactive art initiatives and events to stimulate and nurture the development of public awareness of arts and its benefits to the social environment. Community involvement, including local business, is an important component of all our initiatives from art exhibits to education programs. We found the Valley to be an excellent ground for new ideas and new projects and I will continue to work to make it a fascinating place to visit, work and live.

 

Lorena La Grassa

Valley Arts District Coordinator

ValleyArts Executive Director

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ValleyArts, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow and maintain a vibrant arts district in the Valley neighborhood of Orange and West Orange and to create cultural and artistic opportunities for local residents of all ages.

VALLEYARTS GOALS

 

·      Enhancing educational opportunities

·      Creating careers for young people

·      Expanding businesses, jobs, and tax revenues

·      Increasing recreation programs and events

·      Beautifying the neighborhood

·      Lifting community spirit

·      Celebrating the history of the Valley

·      Projecting a unique identity for the Valley neighborhood and beyond 

 

Past Events

 

 

Open Studio Stroll 2009

 

On Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2009 artists, local business and art organizations from the Valley Arts District united to announce the inaugural of the first annual Open Studio Stroll. 37 artists working across a broad spectrum of fine art media shared their work with the public creating also site-specific works of art as a means to engage the community, residences and business through this two days art event. Visitors to the Open Studio Stroll had the opportunity to see a variety of artist studios, art installations, musical performances, theatrical improvisations and outdoor initiatives in both traditional and non-traditional spaces throughout the townships of Orange and West Orange.

The Valley Arts District was alive with 500+ community leaders