Possessing Harriet: A young woman’s flight to freedom

This Week's Broadcasts

This week on #StateoftheArtsNJ, the East Lynne Theater Company in Cape May presents the NJ premiere of Kyle Bass’s Possessing Harriet, based on a true historic encounter between “the fair fugitive” Harriet Powell, abolitionist Gerrit Smith, his neice Elizabeth Cady, and Thomas Leonard, a free Black man who helped Harriet escape.

Also on this week's episode, photographer Xiomáro captures Morristown’s historic Revolutionary War spaces, including Washington’s headquarters. And, Cuban artist Alexandre Arrechea creates a monumental new work during his residency at ArtYard in Frenchtown.

NJ PBS

Thurs, 5/16 @ 11:30 pm

Sat, 5/18 @ 7:30 pm

WNET Thirteen

Sun, 5/19 @ 11:30 am

ALL ARTS

Mon, 5/20 @ 10:30 am & 3:30 pm

Wed, 5/22 @ 10 am & 3 pm

National Photography Month

Rita Dove sits onstage. She wears a gold-colored suit and sits on a stool to read.

This month, we're focusing on New Jersey and its people through the lens of State of the Arts featured photographers.

Linda Troeller began her career modeling for landmark photographers, such as Eikoh Hosoe and Lucien Clergue, and then devoted the next forty years to a life behind the camera. Working out of the Chelsea Hotel and her home in Lakewood, New Jersey, Troeller has created a deeply evocative body of work, including self-portraiture.

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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

Artworks Trenton presents A Story of Emotions, an exhibition of works by Alia Bensliman advocating for greater awareness of 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

"We still have a lot to learn from nature." Artist Jim Toia collaborates with mushrooms, woodpeckers, and jellyfish.

Our 2015 story: Jim Toia

“Aeolian. Gratis. Great thunderer, half-ton infant of miracles / Torn free of charge from the universe by my mother’s will.” So begins “The Green Piano,” a poem by former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky in which great classical themes entwine with tales from his childhood in Long Branch.

Our 2013 story: The Green Piano

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

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....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