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The Capital Campaign
The Will to Dream: The Courage to Act
I've worked in downtown Newark for over twenty-five years. I've seen the slow and at times uncertain rebirth of this city from a state of decay and desperation. Finally, there's a perceptible excitement about the health and open future of Newark, New Jersey's largest city, the center of an expansive metropolitan region in the nation's most densely populated state. The opening of Aljira's new galleries in downtown Newark's busiest thoroughfare is a major testimony to the vitality of Newark's renaissance-for is there any major city that is not home to a thriving art community?
But Aljira is more than a sign of rebirth; it has been an active, if unheralded agent in the development of Newark. Independently of the large corporations, government agencies, universities, and major foundations that have collaborated to re-build Newark, the small group of visionary artists who founded Aljira in 1983 have always known that the arts can thrive in this city-and that the city needs the arts to thrive.
Right from their first exhibitions in an upstairs loft in the north ward of the city, Aljira has established a reputation for innovation and excellence in contemporary arts programming. Even during times of economic upheaval and developmental stagnation in Newark, Aljira rapidly built a dedicated following among supporters of the arts and earned the respect of the artists, media, and arts organizations of the state and region. Against formidable odds, Aljira's artists, staff, and supporters have steadily worked to increase their public presence and expand their programming, first by moving into third floor quarters on Washington Park in the mid 1990s and this year by opening their grand new galleries at 591 Broad Street.
The utter belief in art's power to expand vision and enliven the spirit that has driven the Aljira community is extraordinary; it is also courageous, for they have dared to dream-and act-for the betterment of our lives even though it places significant burdens upon them.
Such belief, such courage, deserve our support.
I've benefited from Aljira's involvement in Newark. Having followed their exhibitions for more than fifteen years now, I realize that I've discovered art and artists I might never have encountered; I've seen Aljira contribute to the arts education of young people and communities with few opportunities for exposure to contemporary art; and I've delighted watching colleagues and friends from the universities and corporate world in Newark suddenly discover a vital artworld right in their midst.
So now I ask my friends and colleagues-and I invite you who read this-to join me in supporting the vision and growth of Aljira, and through Aljira, the City of Newark. I have agreed to lead Aljira's Capital Campaign to help them complete the construction of new galleries. I'm also supporting their efforts to find dedicated funding for exhibitions, educational programs, and their endowment.
I urge you to join us and make a financial contribution to Aljira. Please contact Victor Davson at Aljira (973) 622-1600 or me at my Rutgers office (973) 353-5279, ext. 501 if you can make a gift to Aljira or if you have any questions about our needs and our capital campaign.
Thank you.
Charles Russell, Chair
Taking It to the Street
The Campaign for Contemporary Art at Aljira
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