This past weekend was the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour and I previously wrote about the kick off party Friday night and the wonderful gallery hopping walkabout on Saturday (more about that).

On Sunday, I decided to look around my own neighborhood, fondly known as “The Heights” of Jersey City (www.jcheights.com). It’s a little ways from the center of action in Downtown JC, closer to Hoboken, but I was hoping to see some art here. As I walked down Central Avenue, I was admiring the street art project of utility boxes that were decorated by local artists. They range from painted animal prints we all recognize, like Giraffe and Zebra, “Patterns” by Sergio Sandino (www.sergiosandino.com), to a gigantic sunflower called, “It Ain’t Aries” by E. Jan Kounitz (www.ejankounitz.com). Others on the avenue are, “Guilded Chest” by Milosz Koziej, “Untitled” by GJ Lee, (www.neonjelly.net), “Rain, Rain Go Away” by Brendon Carroll, (www.agitatorscollective.com), and “You Say Potato, We Say Po-Tah-To” by Brendon Carroll. (Click here to see my photo gallery)

As I arrived at Lincoln Street I noticed a huge mural, Jersey City Museum Public Art Program’s “Where will your journey begin” created in 1996. Further down, as I approached Pershing Field, I noticed a few outdoor sculptures.

That was just about it.

Now, I know there are outdoor sculptures and statues in various parks around, but I’ve seen those before and there is also the “Hope Center for Visual & Performing Arts” but I’m talking about local artists opening their studio doors, like they do in Downtown JC.

This area is full of artists, so I’m wondering where are they all? Perhaps their art is in group shows further downtown? If we can put on the “Everything Jersey City Festival” and draw 15-20,000 people to the area, why can’t we participate at a higher level in the Artists Studio Tour, and make a bigger statement about our own community of artists.

Perhaps if we start now, we can be ready for next year.