Jersey City, NJ – The 36th Annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST) kicks off Friday, transforming the city into a sprawling gallery with more than 120 venues across all six wards from October 3 through October 5.
This year’s theme, “Convergence: Art, Technology, Business, and Wellness,” highlights the intersection of creativity and community. The three-day event will feature over 60 open artist studios, curated exhibitions, live performances, film screenings, poetry readings, and interactive installations.
Founded in 1990 as a small downtown studio tour, JCAST has grown into one of the region’s longest-running open studio festivals, drawing more than 5,000 visitors annually and reinforcing Jersey City’s status as a major cultural hub.
Mayor Steven Fulop praised the event’s citywide reach, saying JCAST “showcases what makes Jersey City special: world-class creativity in every ward and a community that celebrates its artists and small businesses.”
Produced by The Creative Side under founder and director Atim Annette Oton, along with Donna Kessinger, Melissa Ulto, Judith Rahilly, and Shantel Asante-Kissi, the 2025 edition includes two major curated shows: “Convergence: Pivoting a Renaissance” at Eden Wood Realty and “The Art of Convergence” at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center.
The weekend will also feature business networking sessions, a VIP fundraiser, and Friday’s official kick-off party with live jazz and the presentation of JCAST Legend Awards to photographer Ernie Pannicioli and the late Ruth Moore of Moore’s Lounge.
Saturday programming includes guided art tours, a two-wheel “art crawl” by Bike JC, LGBTQ+ and women-focused artist tours, and panel discussions. Full schedules and locations are available at TheJCAST.com.
Christine Goodman, the city’s cultural affairs director, said the tour embodies the city’s spirit. “Every October, JCAST brings the city to life through the beauty and energy of art,” she said.
For one weekend, the streets of Jersey City will double as a canvas, celebrating artists and the communities that support them.