NJ MoCA Inaugural Gala

The New Jersey Museum of Contemporary Art (NJ MoCA) invites everyone in New Jersey and the New York/Philly metro area to come celebrate at a fabulous and fun kick-off benefit party on Saturday, October 23 in Asbury Park, NJ. The evening will celebrate NJ MoCA’s entrance onto the cultural world stage and establish New Jersey’s first museum of contemporary art.

The party takes place in the beautiful 1930’s art deco Paramount Theatre where guests will rock to live music by electro-rock band, film and multi-media composers, Fall On Your Sword, with a 30’ screen backdrop of their ingenious and amusing original video performance — plus special guest DJ, Phil Mossman, formerly of LCD Soundsystem.

From 8:00pm – midnight, Gala guests will enjoy mingling with the artists, curators, and movers and shakers of the art world as they preview the amazing exhibition and enjoy cocktails, beer, wine, fine catered hors d’oeuvres, dancing, as well as admission the After Party. Tickets are only $150 for 4 hours of artistic excellence in contemporary art and ribald fun.

From 10pm – midnight, After Party guests will join to view the exhibition and enjoy beer, wine, dancing and an electric art happening. Tickets are $50 and $25 for students with ID.

All guests will enjoy a preview of the inaugural exhibition — IT’S ALL AMERICAN — the largest exhibition of contemporary art ever in the state of New Jersey in 12,000 sq ft of gallery space in the Convention Hall Mezzanine overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean with thought-provoking works by artists from the United States, Israel, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and England. Curators Alex Gartenfeld and Haley Mellin bring together 37 local and international artists whose practices explore the artistic and folk traditions that characterize Americana. The show features artists Peter Coffin, Rob Pruitt, Jessica Houston, Monica Bonvicini, Davis Rhodes, Polly Apfelbaum, Martin Creed, Matt Sheridan Smith, Robert Melee, Grayson Revoir, John Giorno, Mathew Cerletty, David Adamo, Jeremy Deller, Ryan Kitson, Martin Soto Climent, Philippe Decrauzat, Uri Aran, Josephine Meckseper, Les Rogers, Joe Bradley, New Jerseyy, Daniel Turner, Ryan McGinley, Rita Ackermann, Keltie Ferris, Francesca DiMatteo, Brendan Fowler, Michael St. John, Michele Abeles, Van Hanos, Heather Rowe, Zak Prekop, and Aurel Schmidt.

For those coming from New York, a bus has been chartered for NJ MoCA guests for only $25 round trip. The bus leaves at 5:15pm from 305 W. 13th St.; arrives in Asbury Park at 7:00pm; and departs Asbury Park at 11:30pm.

NJ MoCA is a 501c3 organization. Other than $50 for each gala ticket and $20 for each after party ticket, contributions are fully tax deductible. For more information about the event, exhibition and museum, please visit www.njmoca.org.