Atlantic City, N.J. – The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University will host “Monuments to Migration and Labor,” a Mellon Foundation–supported public art initiative honoring the histories and contributions of immigrant and migrant laborers across New Jersey. 

Open from March 6 through June 27, the exhibition brings together artists from southern New Jersey whose work reflects themes of migration, labor and cultural identity. The opening reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. April 11.

The exhibition is one component of the broader New Jersey Immigrant Laborers’ Monument Project, a three-year initiative dedicated to honoring and promoting the impact of migrant communities. Through coordinated exhibitions, community dialogues and gatherings across New Jersey, the project seeks to develop installations that reflect lived experiences often excluded from historical narratives.

One of the featured artists is Chung-Fan Chang, Stockton associate professor of Art, whose ink-and-wash paintings explore memory, heritage and the immigrant experience. Chang, a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan, draws from traditional Chinese painting techniques to depict landscapes rooted in both Taiwan and New Jersey.

“I aim to employ traditional ink and wash Chinese painting techniques on xuan paper to depict my memories of the landscape of Taiwan and New Jersey,” Chang said. “Elements of trees, roots and foliage are depicted through highly repetitive and labor-intensive processes of texture strokes and the traditional dotting methods. These painting processes demonstrate patience and perseverance to develop the surface of paper and represent the beauty and spirituality of Chinese art and my heritage as a first-generation immigrant, promoting cultural diversity in South Jersey.”

Chang has also reflected on how the project’s focus on labor and migration connects to his own life. Hearing participants discuss their journeys reminded him of navigating language barriers, maintaining his studio practice and building a life in the United States while much of his family remains in Taiwan.

In addition to the exhibition, the project will host “Flagship 3: Setting Sail,” the free final gathering in a series of public design events, on March 12 at the Arts Garage. Organizers will present a revised design for a mobile monument shaped by earlier community input. Attendees will reflect on how the design honors migration and labor histories while remaining safe, accessible and adaptable across South Jersey. The event will also outline the next steps toward activation and shared stewardship of the monument. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning promptly at 6 p.m. Advance RSVP is required.

As part of a coordinated, statewide effort, “Monuments to Migration and Labor” extends beyond the walls of the Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University. Community members are encouraged to visit the project’s website to explore additional events, installations and programming taking place in other regions of New Jersey.

Go to the Noyes Museum’s website for additional information or contact Noyes Museum Executive Director Michael Cagno at michael.cagno@stockton.edu. 

-- Story by Ella Johnson