The Lost Archive of a New Jersey Photographer

This Week's Episode

This week on State of the Arts...

At the New Jersey State Museum, glass-plate negatives circa 1890-1910 reveal a world in rapid transition. Stunning prints of Grant Castner’s photographs reveal everyday life in and around Trenton as it was then.

Plus, celebrated choreographer Mark Morris returns to the McCarter Theatre with work from four decades.

And, the Princeton University Art Museum’s Art@Bainbridge gallery presents the work of two Trenton-based Muslim women artists, one from New Jersey, the other raised in Tunisia.

NJ PBS

Sat, 2/14 @ 7:30 pm

Sun, 2/15 @ 9:30 am

WNET Thirteen

Sun, 2/15 @ 11:30 am

ALL ARTS

Mon, 2/16 @ 10:30 am & 3:30 pm

Wed, 2/18 @ 10 am & 3 pm

Images in GIF: Self-portrait of Grant Castner, Stony Brook Bridge, Princeton Township, New Jersey, 1898 / Mark Morris Dance Group in performance / Moorish Sunshine by Alia Bensliman

Find out where (and how) to watch!

Black History Month

During February, explore Black History through a variety of artistic mediums.

Based for over 60 years in Teaneck, New Jersey, songwriter Rose Marie McCoy (1922-2015) wrote over 800 songs, recorded by luminaries such as Sarah Vaughn, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Ike & Tina Turner. Watch here.

On the Blog

Max Roach (1924-2007) was one of the most important drummers in history. This throwback blog feature was written at the centennial of his birth. Read here. Plus, he's listed in this week's blog post about Grammy winners in the State of the Arts archives!

Happening Now

Congratulations to the 2026 Individual Artist Fellows and Finalists, awarded this week by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts! Pictured: Victor Davson

Our related stories of this year's artists: Victor Davson, Laia Cabrera, Alia Bensliman

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Horse with performances happening through Feb 25. See here for their calendar of events! Image courtesy: Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

Our related documentary: Unity: Nai-Ni Chen Remembered.

The Dr. Carter G. Woodson BHM Photography Exhibition Invitational honors of the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month at JPEG Photo Gallery in Camden, hosted by EJM Foundation! The show will then run through Feb 28.

Our related stories: Erik James Montgomery, Wendel White, Aubrey Kauffman.

Khalilah Sabree (pictured), featured on this week's episode, is taking part in the group exhibition Trenton Makes Jazz at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, on view through March 22!

Don't miss Toshiko Takaezu: Dialogues in Clay, on view at the Princeton University Art Museum through July!

Our related documentary: Toshiko Takaezu: In the Stars.

Highlights

Howard Finster (1916-2001) was a prolific artist with a mission to communicate his visions to the world. This story from our archive visits Finster’s “Paradise Garden” in Georgia, where he was busy making art.

Our 1992 story: Howard Finster, Man of Visions.

Korean American artist Nam June Paik (1932-2006) is generally considered the father of video art. This feature looks at the restoration of one of his major works, PBS (1963-2000), at the former NJN Public Television building in Trenton.

Our 2019 story: Nam June Paik.