Ricardo Roig, one of the Hoboken Girl team’s favorite local artists, recently moved into a new exhibition and gallery space at the W Hotel in Hoboken. Roig, who has been living in Hoboken since he moved here in 2007, spoke with Hoboken Girl recently to tell us all about his Hoboken story and his new space. And just recently, he painted a large mural outside of Napoli’s downtown location that is a head-turner for sure {pics below!}. Read on to learn more:
Tell us about how you first came to Hoboken, and where you find your inspiration here. What is it that makes Hoboken special to you?
“I first came to Hoboken in 2007 to work as a waiter at Elysian Cafe while I took courses for a teacher certification at Kean University. The charmed interior of the restaurant was like a stage and it was fun meeting all of the characters that brought daily colors to it. I’d sketch scenes there capturing the great light filled setting in my waiter book. Hoboken became my muse as I moved around town having inspirational experiences with all the good energy, people and places here.”
How did you come to partner with the W Hoboken?
“The W Hoboken reached out and offered us an Artist Residency to open in their lobby shop and River Street window display – truly, it was a dream come true to partner with a company that appreciates the art that I make and wants to help us share the work with their guests, residents, and our Hoboken neighbors. The W Hoboken is so much a part of the Hoboken community and wanted to further connect through an art space. They believe, like we do, in the power of art and how it brings people together through shared creative experience and unique communication.
Art unlocks curiosity, new perspectives, and ideas that celebrate our shared humanity. Having a venue to have these wonderful interactions is necessary and so they graciously offered to open their doors to us. We are open four days a week (Th/Fri 12:00PM-8:30PM / Sat 10:00AM-8:00PM / Sun 10:00AM-4:00PM) and appointments are also available. In addition, we are thrilled to be able to host monthly art events in our space at the W Hoboken. Our next event, to showcase my latest work, is on September 20th.”
See More: Local Hoboken Artists’ Scenes to Hang in Your Home
How long will you be in the space at the W?
“That’s entirely up to the W Hoboken! They are amazing hosts and partners and I will work hard to continue to surprise their guests and visitors with new works as long as they’ll have me. We are grateful for every day we’re there.”
What can people expect when they visit?
“We are proud to offer a rotating exhibition of new art. Visitors will be able to experience our process and view the complete inventory of my available works {not just what is on display}. We hope everyone feels welcome to share in the art, see something new, be inspired, and connect with art and design and life in a new way. All the art is for show and for sale so if you are looking to invest in art or give the gift of art we have many works to choose from. All of my art is original and I create, sign and date every piece.”
Is there anything else you want our readers to know?
“In addition to the pieces you will see on the walls of our space at the W Hoboken, I make custom commissioned artwork. If someone has an idea for a work of art and wants it made in my style, I’m happy to create it. I like offering this service because it is always fun to collaborate with another person’s idea and realize the shared vision through the challenging hand cut print process.”
READ: Art Galleries to Visit in Hoboken + Jersey City {August 2018}
“I’d also like to share that our store at 252 First Street is still open and we’ve partnered with Red Lion Framing Co. to make it a fine art custom framing shop that is low cost and high quality. I found that many others were also having an issue with finding affordable framing in Hoboken for artists and art collectors, so my wife Michelle and I partnered with Ed to open up a fine art custom frame shop of our own and share this great resource with our community. Roig Collection + Red Lion Framing Co. is open at 252 First Street this summer T/TH 11:00AM-5:00PM Friday 1:00PM-9:00PM Sat/Sun 12:00PM-8:00PM.”
“I would like to add a big thank you to the Hoboken Girl team for always helping to get the word out and being a great resource of info for all things locally and fun, the W Hoboken for believing in us and offering us this big break, all of my collectors who have allowed us to live this dream and continue creating. Lastly, I would like to thank my family for all of their support, my mom for always being there and my wife Michelle for being my muse and so encouraging with her love.”
Besides his W Hotel residency, Ricardo Roig is making huge moves around Hoboken — he recently created a mural dedicated to the Mile Square on the exterior of Napoli’s downtown location {133 Clinton Street}. We stopped by a few times during the process and we’re amazed by the final product — so impressive!
Photo: @roigcollection on Instagram
Photo: Ricardo Roig
Thanks for chatting with us, Ricardo — what an inspiration!
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