As Tenton Art All Night 2019 returns from last year’s tragedy, supporters are excited about the artwork seen here. — Photo by Michelle Dryden
With beefed up law enforcement following last year’s tragic incident, the 24-hour Artworks event was scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Saturday and to end at its usual time Sunday at 3 p.m., but there was a significant break from 1 to 7 a.m., for this year only.
This year, there were two public entrances to the event that the staff closed during the break as they asked patrons to leave at 1 a.m., and invited them to return at 7 a.m.
Artworks Director Lauren Otis explained that, “We want everyone to be comfortable…coming back, so we decided to close the event in the wee hours, but next year we’ll be back 24-hours.”
Otis appreciated turnout to see the art by 6 p.m. Saturday. He also said that more than 900 artists who
promised to continue to support the fest submitted artworks, but there were about 500 less than last year.
This year’s incident-free Art All Night event depicts the City’s beauty, with everything coming “together in a perfect triumphant storm,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who spoke to a positive crowd at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Gov. Murphy said, “Art measures the soul of this particular community.” He believes that whatever takes place in Trenton affects the entire State of New Jersey.
Thanking all the supporters including City workers, law enforcement, artists, and the community at large, the Gov. officially kicked off the event by cheering it on.
TRENTON, N.J. — For Fine Arts Photographer John Clarke, retirement from a career in Architecture
Fine Arts Photographer John Clarke displays his favorite piece, “Reflection of Man,” in his current exhibition called “People in Geometry” at Artworks in Trenton. — Provided photo
has led him to defining relationships between people and their unique geometric surroundings.
Clarke’s most recent photography collection called, “People in Geometry” is a black and white monochrome exhibition at Artworks in Trenton lasting a month through Feb. 23.
With this exhibition of fine arts photography, Clarke said that light is an important factor in all the photographs.
“Sparkling surfaces that glow and reflect draw the viewer’s interest into the photo,” he states.
Clarke also said that the idea to monochrome his photographs is deliberate, and he does it “to emphasize the relationship between the geometry of the setting and the people.”
He chooses to make them black and white because he wants his photos to be “timeless and abstract.”
As longtime architect, who is a partner emeritus of Clarke Caton Hintz, an award-winning architectural and planning firm based in Trenton, Clarke said he spent his professional life “immersed in architectural and urban design issues.”
His work involved photography.
At the recent opening reception for this exhibition, Clarke said, “I like the idea of exhibiting my artwork here because the space is very ideal and conducive to showing photos and paintings.”
Clarke has a lot of history with the Artworks building and the Mill Hill area in general.
But he said, “I’ve never had an exhibition in this building before, and I’ve only being doing this type of (fine arts) photography since I retired from my architectural practice” eight years ago.
Clarke’s relationship with the Artworks building dates back to nearly 50 years ago when he was the City of Trenton Director of Planning and Development.
He said he was instrumental in acquiring the old Sears building, getting federal funds, and renovating it to make sure they would create a space for artists.
This photo is called “Bicycle in Princeton,” from Fine Arts Photographer John Clarke. — Provided photo
Now Clarke is finally “closing the loop” by exhibiting his own work in a building that he helped to design, and he is also educating the public about this new type of photography that he is enjoying.
He says his favorite piece in the “People in Geometry” exhibition is the one called the “Reflection of Man” photograph that he took in the courtyard of PS1 Museum in New York City.
To express action in a setting, Clarke creates this photo to show the “reflection of the uniquely dressed older man looking at the young woman.”
With most of these photos, Clarke is trying to tell a story about a person somewhere who has an expression, or is doing an action. He captures a decisive moment. He says light can also define the settings, or the peoples in the photos.
The Artworks exhibition also has a photograph by Clarke that is called, “Bicycle in Princeton.”
This local photo shows a male on a bicycle in a science building at Princeton University.
“I am interested in this location due to the people moving through the pattern of light and shadow created by the buildings sun screen,” explains Clarke.
As an architect, Clarke has the ability to choose the ideal spaces and buildings for his photos.
“I think he’s remarkable. Because he’s an architect, he has such an eye for how spaces and shapes and people all come together,” said John D. S. Hatch, FAIA, LEED AP at Clarke Caton Hintz Architectural and Planning Firm.
“It’s about the connections and contrasts of the people to the geometry,” he said.
At the opening reception to “People in Geometry,” Clarke expressed gratitude to be showing “this group of photos” in a neighborhood that he is “very familiar with.
He also mentioned that as an architect in the City, he was also involved with the creation of the Architects Housing, Passage Theater, and the home renovations in Mill Hill.
To become more familiar with John Clarke’s photography, visit his website at
– Photo by Michelle Dryden The 50th annual House Tour in Mill Hill District featured a Horse and Buggy ride during the touring event from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Historic Mill Hill District commemorates nostalgia and contemporary living as seen on 50th Anniversary House Tour event that featured various art forms and fun activities today.
Visitors and residents came out to tour homes, sing in choirs, see art show exhibits at Artworks, enjoy live music, look at classic/antique cars, have lunch from the Crepe Food Truck, enjoy the crisp fall weather, take fun photos, among other fun stuff.
The annual House Tour happens on the first Saturday of December each year. This year’s event was bigger and better than the tours in recent years because it marks a half-century milestone since Mill Hill residents have been opening their doors for visitors to see unexpected views and charms of homes in Trenton.
