Victor Davson: Lessons from the Trees

This Week's Broadcasts

For 30 years, Victor Davson ran Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art in Newark, helping establish under-represented artists and promoting cross-cultural dialogue. Now, the Guyana native and West Orange resident has turned to the landscape, finding beauty in his own backyard and nearby walking trails.

Also on this week's episode, Roberto Lugo has a wildly successful career making pots that draw on his life as a Puerto Rican kid growing up in Philadelphia. Plus, the young jazz vocalist Samara Joy’s deeply personal take on the standards calls to mind the greats, including her own personal favorite, Sarah Vaughan.

NJ PBS

Thurs, 4/11 @ 11:30 pm

Sat, 4/13 @ 7:30 pm

WNET Thirteen

Sun, 4/14 @ 11:30 am

ALL ARTS

Mon, 4/15 @ 10:30 am & 3:30 pm

Wed, 4/17 @ 10 am & 3 pm

National Poetry Month

This month, we're celebrating women poets in New Jersey.

Poet Sharon Olds appeared on State of the Arts in February 1997, where she talked about her career with host Amber Edwards. She also read two poems: her classic, “I Go Back to May 1937,” and “First Birth,” from Wellspring, published just the year before. Sharon is among the most anthologized poets in America, and has published more than a dozen collections. Among her awards are a Guggenheim, the T.S. Eliot Prize, and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Thumbnail photo: Hillery Stone

♡ SUPPORT ♡

Our team greatly appreciates support from our viewers—your gift helps State of the Arts spotlight the most creative people in New Jersey and beyond. Thank you!

Happening Now

Gallery Bergen presents Arrivals/Departures – East80West, curated by Bay Area artist/curator Cece Carpio and Gallery Bergen Director Tim Blunk. The group exhibition includes work by Layqa Nuna Yawar and is on view until April 12.

Our related story: Layqa

Artworks Trenton presents A Story of Emotions, an exhibition of works by Alia Bensliman advocating for invisible illnesses, on view through May 24!

Our related story: Reciting Women, featuring Alia Bensliman

Century: 100 Years of Black Art at the Montclair Art Museum runs through July 7. The exhibition features work by 59 artists, including Willie Cole, Chakaia Booker, Joyce J. Scott, and Philemona Williamson.

Our related stories: Willie Cole, Chakaia Booker, Joyce J. Scott, Philemona Williamson

The Zimmerli Art Museum celebrates the centennial of renowned sculptor George Segal's birth with George Segal: Themes and Variations through July 31.

Read more on our blog!

Catch up on some of the best of State of the Arts

In 2003, Alan Willoughby and a group of artists inaugurated a Noborigama Kiln on the Appel Farm Arts & Music campus in Elmer, NJ. This type of kiln was developed in Japan in the 17th century.

Our 2003 story: Noborigama Kiln

Frankie Gavin, Irish fiddler, and his group De Dannan performed in 2012 for a packed house at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.

Our 2012 story: De Dannan

Did you know you can watch our past features online? You can catch all of our stories and full documentaries on our Youtube channel and website, or on PBS.org.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, too! We post special behind-the-scenes content and sneak peaks into new episodes, plus current arts events happening around the state.

Pictured: Mark Morris Dance Group

Share This Email

....going on location with New Jersey's most creative people!

Producers Circle:

Pheasant Hill Foundation

Philip E. Lian & Joan L. Mueller

in memory of

Judith McCartin Scheide

Peter A. Benoliel & Willo Carey

Monica & Carlos Camin

Melanie & John Clarke

Elizabeth G. Christopherson

Hella & Scott McVay

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, encouraging excellence and public engagement in the arts since 1966, is proud to co-produce State of the Arts with Stockton University, New Jersey's distinctive public university, in cooperation with PCK Media.

Additional support is provided by: Friends of State of the Arts