About Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts
With Much Appreciation!
"Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts" is made possible by Project for Empty Space and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program.
"Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts" Founder Denise Toney
Denise Toney is a New Jersey multi-disciplinary artist who delves into fiber art, quilting, découpage, collage, mixed media, digital art, functional art, and wearable art using predominantly African, Aboriginal, Dutch, Asian, and other imported and domestic textiles. She is the founder of "Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts", a community project art workshop series that offers a constructive outlet for individuals navigating grief, depression, or emotional distress, fostering positive expression and community support.
Denise is a 2023 recipient of a community project grant from Project for Empty Space made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts for "Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts". She is also a 2023 recipient of an individual grant from Peters Valley School of Craft on behalf of The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. In 2022, Denise was awarded a Black Artist Resilience Grant graciously granted by Art in the Atrium, Inc., made possible by the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund.
Denise has been invited to and selected for several juried art exhibitions at: The Morris Museum – New Jersey’s only Smithsonian Affiliate - the Newark Museum of Art, the Newark Arts Festival, Newark Symphony Hall, the Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled Gallery, West Orange Arts Council, Studio Montclair, East Orange City Hall, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturers' Artist Village, Art in the Atrium, Bloomfield Civic Center, the Indigo Residence, and the Bridge Art Gallery. She had a solo exhibition at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in 2020.
Denise and her artwork were featured on NBC's television program, "1st Look" on the "Choose New Jersey" episode (June 2023). She is included within "The Golden Life" mural at the intersection of the Route 280 underpass and the Broad Street station rail entrance.
Often invited to share at Artists' Talks, Denise is in five publications: “On the Easel” – where artists share their works in progress, Bella Magazine, “The God-S Movement Coloring Journal” by Artist Yvonne Onque, “SheEO’s Rock! – 99 Tips to Transform Your Business Today” as a contributing author who appears on the book’s front cover, and an excerpt from her quilt is published on the back cover of The Morris Museum’s catalog.
"Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts" Facilitating Artists
Suliman Onque is a multifaceted artist from Newark NJ that does paintings, portraits, murals, logos, graphic design, comic books, wearable art and NFT art.
Suliman Graduated from Arts High School 1992. He Created his own comic book Super Sketch painter 2015, 2016.
Suliman Has been in over 60 different Art exhibits throughout his art career. He Has created 2000 plus art creation physical and digit
Maria Luis Estrela was born in Cascais, Portugal and raised in a large extended family from Cape Verde, West Coast of Africa. Settling in Newark, NJ in 2002, she attended The Newark School of the Arts in 2008, where she met her mentor, Andrew Cohen, and further developed her interest in digital photography. Estrela’s photographs of nature and travel serve as an expression of self-healing, stilln
Yvonne Onque is a native of Newark, NJ. She has been making art since she was a child. Mother of five and grandmother of 18, Yvonne is dedicated to family but art has always been her passion. She attended Arts High School but most of her artistic skills are self-taught. She worked professionally as a graphic designer for over thirty five years. She has also owned a wearable art business for o
Denise Toney is a New Jersey multi-disciplinary artist who delves into fiber art: quilting, découpage, collage, mixed media, digital art, functional art, and wearable art using predominantly African, Aboriginal, Dutch, Asian, and other imported and domestic textiles. She is the founder of "Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts", a community art workshop series in the City of Newark, NJ th
Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Through the Arts Facilitating Artists in action-Newark Arts Festival '24
The Newark Lifts, Newark Lights Facilitating Artists Team