Newark, New Jersey | 2025–2026
2026 Role: Lead Curator
2025 Role: Guest Curator
Art Night Out is a citywide cultural experience presented as part of the Newark Arts Festival, connecting contemporary art, local businesses, artists, and audiences through exhibitions and creative programming.
In 2026, I served as Lead Curator, helping shape a connected experience along Halsey Street and throughout participating Newark venues. The program brought art into public spaces, creating opportunities for discovery, participation, and connection beyond traditional gallery settings.
Building on my involvement in 2025, this edition expanded my curatorial leadership across artist coordination, exhibition placement, venue collaboration, and the presentation of public-facing creative experiences.
2026 DOCUMENTATION / HALSEY STREET, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY / LEAD CURATOR
Halsey Street became an extension of the exhibition environment, bringing artistic expression into the everyday landscape of downtown Newark.
Through outdoor artwork, live creative programming, and interactive installations, the street invited visitors to encounter art in a setting that encouraged exploration and participation.
The curatorial approach centered on connecting artists and their work with environments that could support meaningful audience engagement.
Artwork was presented across participating businesses and public spaces, creating a series of exhibitions and artistic encounters throughout the district.
Live painting and interactive installations added another dimension to the experience, allowing visitors to engage with creative processes as they unfolded.
Participation was an essential part of the experience.
Interactive art activations invited visitors to contribute, create, and engage with the work around them, turning the event into an opportunity for shared artistic expression.
These moments reinforced the idea that contemporary art can be accessible, collaborative, and embedded within community life.
The gallery crawl connected participating businesses, cultural spaces, and creative programming throughout downtown Newark.
Each venue offered its own experience while contributing to a broader evening of artistic discovery.
The format encouraged visitors to move between spaces, encounter different creative perspectives, and experience the city through art.
Shown alongside: Newark Arts Festival installation documentation. Broader festival programming retains its own curatorial credits; this image is not an additional curatorial credit for Abigail.
As Lead Curator for Art Night Out 2026, my work focused on developing a cohesive artistic experience across public spaces and participating venues.
Working alongside the Newark Arts team, artists, business owners, and creative partners, I contributed to the coordination and presentation of exhibitions, public art programming, and interactive experiences.
The project reflects my approach to curation as both an artistic and collaborative practice, connecting creative vision with the practical work required to bring cultural experiences to life.
My areas of responsibility included:
Curatorial direction and artist coordination
Artwork selection, placement, and exhibition presentation
Coordination with participating businesses and venues
Creative activation planning
Installation and production oversight
Gallery crawl coordination and visitor experience
TWO YEARS OF CURATORIAL INVOLVEMENT
2025 / GUEST CURATOR
The first edition connected participating cultural spaces, galleries, and local businesses through a citywide art crawl, encouraging audiences to explore Downtown Newark through contemporary art.
2026 / LEAD CURATOR
Art Night Out returned with an expanded public-facing experience centered on Halsey Street and participating venues throughout Downtown Newark.
Two Years of Curatorial Involvement
Public Art & Cultural Programming
Connected Exhibition Experiences
Interactive Art & Artist Engagement
Art Night Out brought together exhibitions, live painting, interactive art experiences, gallery activations, and participating downtown businesses as part of the wider Newark Arts Festival.
The program demonstrated how coordinated cultural experiences can connect artistic practice with public space, local commerce, and community participation.
Broader festival programming / independent of Abigail’s Art Night Out curatorial credit. Further exhibition information and verified credits can be added here.
Project: Art Night Out
Festival: Newark Arts Festival
Location: Newark, New Jersey
Years: 2025–2026
2025 Role: Guest Curator
2026 Role: Lead Curator
Presented by: Newark Arts
Additional production partners, collaborating organizations, artists, and photographers will be credited as verified documentation is added.