Triumph in Color Gallery Reception at Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at HACPAC

In recognition of Black History Month, the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center will present Triumph in Color, an art exhibition showcasing works by artists Michael L. DuBose Jr, Jonte’ Drew, and Winston Watt. A public reception for the exhibition takes place on Thursday, February 19, from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm. The exhibition runs February 6 through February 28.

Michael L. DuBose Jr is a rising artist from Paterson, NJ. His work draws inspiration from nature, personal reflection, and everyday experiences.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation with a minor in Graphic Design from William Paterson University, and later completed a Master of Fine Arts in Computer Art at the School of Visual Arts. He currently works at the Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology where he was once a student serving as the art teacher for students in grades four through seven.

Jonte’ Drew is a visual artist from Paterson who earned both his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2018 and Master of Fine Arts in 2021 from William Paterson University.  His work features Black men in moments of peace, ease, and reflection, presenting vulnerability as a necessary and valued part of mental well-being.  Drew is currently exploring connections between ancestry and identity through nature by researching plants native to the African diaspora. By placing these figures within colorful, idealized environments, he emphasizes their humanity and inner lives while challenging narrow or stereotypical portrayals of Black men. Humor, color, and personal references allow him to approach these ideas in a direct and accessible way, creating images that center calm, connection, and presence.

Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Winston Watt has been drawn to art from an early age. He attended Rosa Parks High School of Fine and Performing Arts, where he began developing his creative foundation. While he didn’t study art formally in college, he continued to create, using art as both an outlet and a passion.