Trinity Church Asbury Park is excited to launch a new Artist-in-Residence program and to announce that Asbury Park-based artist Stephen Aljian has been chosen for the inaugural one-year studio residency. Trinity Church, a progressive Episcopal congregation, is committed to arts and culture, as well as social justice–including food security, affordable housing, racial equity, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Stephen Aljian is a painter and former director of Christminster Gallery, NYC which was a pillar of the East Village art community in the 1980s. His exhibition history in New York includes notable shows at The Drawing Center, PS1, PPOW, and Feature Gallery, Internationally, Stephen has exhibited at Zellermayer, Berlin, Germany and Horsebridge Arts Center, Derby, UK. Stephen’s recent practice takes the form of painting on textiles–specifically, bed sheets– where the connection between having a home (a place to rest and nest) intersects with the mapping of symbolic artifacts. The artist’s current work is informed by the Indigenous Peoples of North America, particularly the Leni Lenape in what is now New Jersey–an exploration and conversation inspired by his own family’s experience of forced migration in the wake of the Armenian genocide of 1915-1917.
Thrilled to have a studio space in his local community after not having a dedicated place to work for a few years, Stephen is looking forward to sharing his new work with residents of Asbury Park and the Jersey Shore region. Trinity Church and New York-based International Arrivals will be holding a public event this summer to introduce Stephen and his work to the community.
About Trinity Church Asbury Park
Trinity Church, an Episcopal parish, is a house of prayer and sanctuary for all people. At Trinity, we strive to share God’s unconditional love with our entire community through spirituality, social justice, and arts and culture. Founded in 1875, our church is historic and many of our traditions are timeless, but also we embrace an inclusive vision of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for today’s world.
About International Arrivals
Based in New York City, International Arrivals supports artists from countries in conflict or whose identity puts them at risk. International Arrivals works to nurture artists in partnership with other artists, organizations, and communities to create a more informed public— offering a deeper understanding of diverse ideas and cultures.
