“Pure Joy” Group Exhibition at Paul Robeson Galleries

Opening Reception
Thursday, October 9th, 2025
5 - 9pm ET

Join Newark Arts Festival for the grand opening of Pure Joy, Newark Arts’ inaugural group exhibition at Paul Robeson Galleries at Express Newark.

Curated by Adrienne Wheeler and Cheyenne Ceasar for Newark Arts, Pure Joy features over 70 visual artists responding to the festival call to explore joy as a creative force. The works—spanning painting, film, and mixed-media—affirm joy as more than an emotion. They reveal joy as resistance, resilience, and love for life.

About the Exhibition

Pure Joy celebrates Newark Arts Festival 2025 and the transformative power of joy. Featuring more than 70 artists, this exhibition illuminates joy as a catalyst for catharsis, resilience, and hope.

As poet and activist Audre Lorde reminds us: “Once we recognize we can feel deeply, we can love deeply, we can feel joy, then we will demand that all parts of our lives produce that kind of joy.”

This milestone event also marks Newark Arts’ debut as an official organization in residence at Express Newark.Pure Joy celebrates Newark Art Festival 2025 and the transformative power of joy. Featuring more than 70 artists, this exhibition illuminates joy as a catalyst for catharsis, resilience, and hope. As poet and activist Audre Lorde reminds us: "Once we recognize we can feel deeply, we can love deeply, we can feel joy, then we will demand that all parts of our lives produce that kind of joy."

Exhibition Hours:
Monday - Wednesday 12 - 5pm ET
Thursday 12 - 8pm ET
Saturday 12 - 5pm ET