Newark Stories: A Community Storytelling & Archive Experience

What stories live inside the photographs we keep?

Join us at The 7 Space for a deeply intentional community gathering led by award-winning facilitator, community architect, and founder of The 7 Space Art Gallery & Wellness Center, Altagracia Montilla—an experience rooted in memory, storytelling, connection, and a love for Newark.

Selected stories and images from this event will help shape a new public artwork by painter, creative, and preserver of heritage and memories Matilda Forsberg for NJPAC that will live in the Cooperman Center, a new building for arts education, community arts programs and rehearsal studios on the Arts Center's campus that will open in 2027.

Together, we’ll explore the people, moments, gestures, and memories that shape our relationship to Newark and to one another. Through reflection, conversation, and creative exploration, participants will help build a living community archive centered on care, connection, and the beauty of everyday life.

Guests are invited to bring a personal photograph connected to Newark—an image of family, friendship, celebration, neighborhood life, or a meaningful moment in time. During the gathering, participants will have the opportunity to share the story behind their image, reflect on the ways care is expressed in our communities, and contribute to a collective visual experience rooted in Newark’s history and spirit.

This experience blends storytelling, gentle facilitation, embodied reflection, and community dialogue to create a space where people can feel seen, connected, and inspired.

Throughout the event, participants will:
• Engage in guided reflection and conversation
• Share stories connected to personal photographs
• Contribute to a collective community photo gallery
• Explore how memory, care, and connection live in our bodies and relationships
• Help shape the inspiration for a future public mural installation at NJPAC that will live in the Cooperman Center, a new building for arts education, community arts programs and rehearsal studios on the Arts Center's campus that will open in 2027

More than a workshop, this is an opportunity to gather across generations and experiences—to honor where we come from, celebrate the beauty of Newark, and recognize the importance of preserving our stories.

Participants will also have the option to leave their photograph on display at The 7 Space for a temporary community archive installation following the event.

Train

• Newark Penn Station (NJ Transit & Amtrak)About a 10–15 minute walk or a short Light Rail ride
• Newark Broad Street Station (NJ Transit)About a 15-minute walk or quick bus/Light Rail connection

Light Rail

• Newark Light Rail – Washington Street Station: About a 5 minute walk

Bus

• Multiple NJ Transit bus lines run along or near Washington Street, Broad Street, and Market Street, all within a short walking distance

Street Parking

• Metered street parking is available on Warren Street and surrounding blocks (check posted signs for hours and limits)

Parking Garages (Nearby)

• One Newark Center Garage
• Edison ParkFast (multiple downtown locations)All are within a short walking distance

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Host or Publisher The 7 Space | Art Gallery and Wellness Center