Free Juneteenth Arts Events in Morristown Ranging from a Public Opening to a Festive Celebration on Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Juneteenth Arts Celebration is a two-day event that brings together four non-profit organizations to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. This FREE event celebrates the African American community and offers the public access to local artists, food, dance, music, and other festivities at major cultural venues in Morristown and Morris Township. Partner organizations for this event are Art in the Atrium (ATA), Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morris Arts, and the Morris Museum.

“Art in the Atrium is very happy to partner with our fellow Morristown arts organizations in celebration of Juneteenth this year,” said ATA’s CEO Simone Craig. “To celebrate Juneteenth is an important cultural statement which we are pleased to honor by these events. We invite the Morristown community to join us for good art, good food, and a good party.”

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Juneteenth, traditionally observed on June 19, commemorates Black liberation from the institution of slavery that took place at the end of the Civil War when President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became the law in all states. The day also highlights the resilience, solidarity, and culture of the Black Community. June 19, 1865 was the day word reached the enslaved in Galveston, Texas, though this proclamation actually ended slavery on paper two years earlier on January 1, 1863.

The arts celebration begins at the Atrium Gallery with a public reception of W.O.W.: Women’s Outstanding Works on Thursday, June 13. ATA’s first all-women exhibit curated by Onnie Strother and Bisa Wendy Washington will feature master artist Nette Forné Thomas and showcase the work of 70 Black and Afro-Latina women artists. Atlantic Health System is the event sponsor, Peapack-Gladstone Bank and Valley Bank are VIP Patrons of the Art in the Atrium event.

The party continues at the Morris Museum on Friday, June 14 for a celebratory event that features a performance by the Unity Steppers and local Spoken Word Poets. Installed concurrently at Art in the Atrium’s W.O.W. exhibition and at the Morris Museum, the monumental mural, Wearer of All Socks , by Samantha Modder celebrates a larger-than-life black fairytale heroine. This free event will have delicious catering by Dominiques Dishes, an open bar, and music from DJ Rich. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a sponsor for the Morris Museum event.

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