Learn about the creation of an Arts and Cultural Center in  the Ironbound at The Firestation located at 56 Prospect Street. From October 4 through October 21, 2012, the third of a series of exhibitions, performances, lectures and workshops to highlight the works of local, national and international artists and architects. This arts festival will be in 3 venues: Ironbound Unbound The first floor of the Firehouse at 56 Prospect Street, Opening Reception Thursday October 4, 2012 from 5:30 to 10pm

Ironbound Unbound #3 The first floor of Sumei Art Center, 85 Hamilton Street, (between Bruen St. and New Jersey Railroad Ave.) Saturday October 6, 2012 from 5:30 to 10pm

Ironbound Unbound The second floor of Sumei Art Center, 85 Hamilton Street, (between Bruen St. and New Jersey Railroad Ave.) Saturday October 6, 2012 from 5:30 to 10pm

Council Amador and the City of Newark have made the Fire station on Prospect Street available to the arts community of use as a cultural center for the Ironbound for exhibitions and installations this October. The Ironbound is no longer €bound€. Supporting organizations and persons: Councilman Amador, the Mayor of the City, Ironbound Business District Association, and Uniao De Clubes Luso-Americano De New Jersey.

Originally an artist studio, Sumei began in 1993 with music performances and performance art, and soon became an exhibition space. By 1995, the group of artists who started the organization decided to become a nonprofit and began regular programs of exhibitions, poetry, lectures, and children's activities. The organization continued to grow, providing a space not only for seasoned artists to work and share their talents but also a breeding ground of fertile nourishment for emerging artists. In 2000 the organization was under threat of a condemnation process by the City of Newark to acquire properties for building a hockey arena. Over the next 6 years the organization utilized space owned by other non-profits and churches in the community to present their programs. In 2006 it began reconstruction of an old button factory in the Ironbound. The new space was opened on October 23, 2009.

Sumei has presented and curated programs and exhibitions at venues in Newark and all over New Jersey including: previous kick-off events and numerous exhibitions for the Newark Open Doors Studio Tour event, Rutgers University's Robeson Gallery, Raritan Valley Community College gallery, The Newark Museum; and this year in Sweden a travelling exhibition of the works of NJ artists at the Husby Kunsthalle in Stockholm, the Galleri Estesio in Beddingestrand, Skne, and an upcoming exhibit sponsored by the city of Malm¶, Skne.

Visit our website Ironbound Unbound to learn more about our upcoming exhibit.

Since moving to the Ironbound, Sumei has helped create the Ironbound Artist Association, a coalition of Ironbound artists who exhibit their work and performances locally and abroad. They have exhibited and maintain ties to the global artist's community in Portugal, Spain, Brazil, and other countries, as well as other immigrant communities in the US. The two organizations have partnered on many programs, including workshops and discussion groups, and promoting the work of local artists to the rest of Newark and our region, as well as presenting the Ironbound Unbound exhibitions in 2010 and 2011.

The cultural experience that these artists help create is an underestimated asset to the Ironbound and Newark. The Ironbound Unbound events in 2010 and 2011 have demonstrated the potential of the Ironbound to develop a strong arts culture that benefits the artists, businesses and the community.