Zimmerli Announces 16 Artists in "Hank Willis Thomas Selects the NJ Arts Annual," Opening Alongside "Hank Willis Thomas — LOVERULES" in September
New Brunswick, N.J. (August 13, 2026)—The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University—New Brunswick is delighted to announce 16 New Jersey artists who will be featured in Hank Willis Thomas Selects the NJ Arts Annual. This prominent exhibition celebrates contemporary art from across the Garden State. More than 800 artists living or working in New Jersey submitted artworks to the juried process, which was led by celebrated artist Hank Willis Thomas, a native of Plainfield, N.J.
The New Jersey Arts Annual showcases works from the following artists: Lavett Ballard (Willingboro); Ana Benaroya (Jersey City); Aaron Boucher (Jersey City); Storm Cuff (East Orange); Christina Freeman (Lawrence Township); Sylvan Hamburger (Highland Park); Donté K. Hayes (Cliffwood); Caren King Choi (Fair Lawn); jc lenochan (South Orange); Jackie Neale (Collingswood); Chelsea Odufu (Newark); Miguel Romero-Trejos (New Brunswick); Jesse Satterfield (Point Pleasant); Sasha Stiles (Milford); Kimisha Turner (Turnersville); Roberto Visani (North Bergen).
Hank Willis Thomas Selects the NJ Arts Annual will be on view in tandem with Hank Willis Thomas: LOVERULES — From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, which includes nearly 90 works by the conceptual artist and activist. The public is invited to the free opening reception for both exhibitions on Thursday, Sept. 17. The event also includes an insightful conversation between Thomas and Schnitzer. All details, including RSVP and parking information, will be available at zimmerli.rutgers.edu/events.
“We are honored to host the Zimmerli’s inaugural New Jersey Arts Annual in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts,” said Maura Reilly, director of the Zimmerli Art Museum. “As one of the most influential artists of his generation and a native of New Jersey, Hank Willis Thomas brings a unique perspective shaped by his profound engagement with history, identity and civic dialogue. His vision for this exhibition highlights the extraordinary creativity of artists across our state while fostering meaningful conversations about the role of art in contemporary society.”
"The New Jersey Arts Annual is a unique and longstanding opportunity to feature artists who live and work in our state, showcasing both their talent and contributions to our thriving arts community," said Stephanie Nerbak, Artist Services Manager at the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. "Implementing this annual exhibition is one of several ways the Council focuses on its priority to support individual artists statewide. I am thrilled the Zimmerli has joined the cohort of host institutions that partner with us, and I'm excited to see the vision for their inaugural exhibition come to life."
This New Jersey Arts Annual engages artists at all stages of their careers, with particular interest in work that expands current conversations, and in makers who have not yet received sustained visibility. Rather than being organized around a prescribed theme, this edition presents work across generations and disciplines, catalyzing critical thought, creating space for mindful looking and fostering a regional dialogue on identity and legacy.
As a part of the Zimmerli’s commitment to access, exhibition materials—including gallery texts and a brochure—will be available in both English and Spanish. In addition, content featured on the Zimmerli guide of the Bloomberg Connects app will be available in nearly 50 languages.
Hank Willis Thomas Selects the NJ Arts Annual and Hank Willis Thomas: LOVERULES — From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation are on view from September 2 to December 20, 2026.
The New Jersey Arts Annual is a unique series of exhibitions highlighting the State’s visual and performing artists. In partnership with major museums around the state, exhibitions alternate among host institutions. These exhibitions are open to any artist currently living or working in New Jersey. The Arts Annual series is sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. Since 1985, the New Jersey State Arts Council has co-sponsored the prestigious Annual in keeping with its mission to encourage and foster public interest in the arts, promote freedom of expression in the arts, and to facilitate the inclusion of art in every building in New Jersey. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.
New Jersey State Council on the Arts
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.
ZIMMERLI ART MUSEUM | RUTGERS
The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is one of the largest and most distinguished university-based museums in the country. Its far-reaching exhibitions and public programs explore creative expression from antiquity to the present day, with a focus on underrepresented artists and overlooked historical narratives. The institution stewards more than 75,000 works of art across all media, with strengths in post-war American art, nineteenth-century French art and cabaret culture, Soviet nonconformist art and global Japanism. As a teaching museum and public collection, the Zimmerli is a critical educational hub for over 55,000 visitors annually. Rutgers stands among America’s highest-ranked, most diverse research universities. Founded in 1766, it is the nation’s eighth-oldest institution of higher learning.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Admission is free. The museum is located at 71 Hamilton Street (at George Street) on the College Avenue Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. The Zimmerli is a short walk from the NJ Transit train station in New Brunswick, midway between New York City and Philadelphia.
The Zimmerli Art Museum is open Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday, as well as major holidays and the month of August. For the most current information, including safety protocols, parking and accessibility, visit zimmerli.rutgers.edu.
SUPPORT
The Zimmerli’s operations, exhibitions, and programs are funded in part by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and income from the Avenir Endowment Fund and the Andrew W. Mellon Endowment Fund. Additional support comes from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Arts Institute of Middlesex County, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the donors, members, and friends of the museum. Generous support for bilingual text is provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
###
Digital Images Available Upon Request
Media Contact:
Theresa Watson
Zimmerli Art Museum
848-932-6709