Lisa Dahl is one of the many featured artists in the Jersey City Museum's current exhibition, SPRAWL (which runs through Aug. 24). On Thursday evening, she will be appearing at the Museum for a talk with Jersey City-based architect Brian Loughlin for the latest in the "Introducing" discussion series, "Little Pink Houses to McMansions." The two will "discuss the themes of sprawl and the american suburb in their work as well as the intersection and interplay between art and architecture."

NEW recently caught up with Dahl via email to learn a little more about her work and her thoughts on our suburban nation.

So what kind of work do you have in the exhibition?

I have three small works from my “There Goes the Neighborhood” series where I block out the form of a house in a color photograph with a single color of glitter. The series has many sub-series to it – some are mixed media, others are paintings on actual real estate magazines images, and some use photographs I took myself in the same style used by the magazines – houses front and center with no neighbors, or clutter. All of them use the same method: transform the house by covering it over and turning it into a single, solid form.

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Sunday Sampler: Local Color
Sunday, May 18, 2008, 2pm, Free Event

“In honor of Historic Preservation Month, The Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, The Jersey City Public Library and Jersey City Museum team up to present and preserve the colorful and engaging stories of our local neighborhoods!”

Join Jersey City Museum for an afternoon of history and stories. John Hallanan from the J.C. Landmarks Conservancy will speak about his research into Jersey City during the decades Mayor Hague was in office. The history of education in Jersey City will be the subject of a talk by Cynthia Harris, Manager of The New Jersey Room at the Jersey City Public Library. Council President Mariano Vega will discuss the local Latino experience post WWII to the present. Finally, Barbara Bickart, artist in residence at JCM, will talk about her recent collaborative projectwe call it the river..., a video performance that explores the effects of gentrification on the residents who live, work and worship in Downtown Jersey City. JCM Curator Dr. Rocio Aranda-Alvarado will introduce and moderate the discussion.

Share your stories:
Spearheaded by the Jersey City Museum and the Jersey City Public Library, this program will kick off a special year-long project of collecting and preserving local stories, The public is invited, as are groups who are interested in creating oral histories with their members. Information on how to conduct oral histories and sign up sheets for groups or individuals who wish to become part of the project will be available at the event.

Sunday Sampler is an evolving series that happens each month. The series will highlight the many types programs and events we have on view at the museum. Sunday Sampler is a laid back and casual Sunday afternoon event where wine and light snacks are served as a way to bring artists and art enthusiasts together to mix, mingle and network. Gallery tours will be offered as part of the Sunday Sampler Series. Sunday Samplers act as a way to enhance events and programs already in place.

DWR Warehouse Sale
Save 30-65% on overstocks, discontinued products and customer returns.

DWR Annex
55 Hartz Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Phone: 201.325.8411

Sat., November 10, 10am–6pm
Sun., November 11, 11am–5pm
Click here for directions.

Not that this needs announced, because it is hard to miss the brand-spanking-new, bright orange Home Depot at the mouth of the Holland Tunnel -- but just in case you are a PATH rider who doesn't get over that way much -- well it is now open.

DIY at the shiny new Home Depot:
180 Twelfth Street Jersey City, NJ 07310
homedepot.com
(Rumor has it they will be open 24 hours a day -- anyone know if this is true or not??)

The Architects Newspaper recently gave Jersey City some press in response to the proposal by Rem Koolhaas. Click here to visit their site and read the article.

USA Today featured a great article today on Jersey City. The article discusses the potential for green space and smart growth. Click here for a link, it is worth a read.