Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art facts for kids
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| Established | c. 1983 |
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| Dissolved | 2018 |
| Location | 591 Broad St., Newark 07102 |
| Type | Contemporary art |
Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art was a special place for artists in Newark, New Jersey, United States. It started around 1983. The center was known for showing modern art.
Aljira was recognized as a Major Arts Organization by New Jersey's State Council on the Arts. It closed its doors in 2018 due to money problems.
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What Was Aljira?
Aljira was a unique art center that focused on artists. It showed art from both famous artists and those who were just starting out. It also helped artists who might not have had many chances to show their work.
The center also had an online store. Here, you could buy books, fine art, and prints. Every spring, Aljira held an auction where people could bid on beautiful artworks.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Aljira comes from an Australian Aboriginal word. It means "dreamtime." This name was chosen to suggest ideas of timelessness. It also meant that anything was possible for the artists and their art.
Important Exhibitions and Programs
Aljira played a big role in the art world. In 1993, a special group called the Federal Advisory Committee on International Exhibitions chose Aljira. They picked Aljira to represent the United States at a major art show. This show was the IV Bienal Internacional de Pintura in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Aljira Emerge Program
The center had a special yearly program called Aljira Emerge. This program helped artists get ready for the art market. It taught them how to present and sell their work.
At first, Aljira Emerge focused on painting. But over time, it grew to include other types of art. These included sculpture, art installations, and video art.
E10 Exhibition
In 2009, Aljira held its tenth Emerge show. This exhibition was called E10. It featured the work of 22 active artists. All these artists lived in the northeast part of the United States.
See also
