Bring Artists of Color to Kean

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History/Background:
John Freddy Hurtado, writing under the pen name Hurtjohn, is currently a journalist at the Source Magazine, art curator, and performing poet. In 2013, after having been laid off from the Star Ledger due to printed publication's decline in sales, Hurtado sought to create something that would uplift his community all while rejuvenating his own spirits. In doing so, Hurtjohn was born.

Who We Are:
Hurtjohn is an art movement comprised of a collective of well over 300 artists of all kinds -- dancers, actors, designers, singers, songwriters, poets, rappers, and other like-minded individuals hoping to revolutionize, recreate, and rejuvenate the art world. Much like the Downtown 500 of the 80’s, our movement has now become the overarching umbrella for underground art, producing greats like Basquiat and Keith Haring.
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Our Goal and Mission:
To continue to establish an art community in NJ and around the world that promotes community building, positive social interactions, critical thinking, and health and well-being.


What We Do:
Hurtjohn specializes in curating artistic platforms not only for artists, but also for institutions and businesses to create traffic and public engagement in ways that they would otherwise not have access to. Due to social indices like budget cuts in underprivileged and dilapidated neighborhoods, there has been a major decline in the arts and community. Therefore, Hurtjohn, recognizing and acknowledging the urgency for a revival in this field, the movement has dedicated itself to reopening these closed doors.
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This summer, #Hurtjohn has been given the opportunity to host a three month long art gallery that will run from July through September at Kean University in Union, NJ. The gallery, titled MOVEMENT, will have both opening and closing receptions, key note speaker events, panel discussions, film screenings and more all geared towards creating awareness for the #BlackLivesMatter movement as well as the injustices that people of color face in institutions across the country.
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We have made this account to raise money to cover the costs that we will accrue while trying to bring this vision to life.
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The funds will go towards the following:

- creating a community driven experience not only for campus students, but for outside residents as well.

- programming open to the community that highlights african and latino history, as well as programming dedicated to advocating expression.

- attracting a household name DJ to ensure opening and closing receptions are lively and entertaining.

- solidifying qualified scholars, heads of organizations, inspirational speakers, and/or other in order to inspire, educate, mobilize, and promote critical thinking.

- purchasing an ad in the local newspaper to create proper awareness of our mission to advocate for artists of color, and communities of color.
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The funds will cover the costs of:

- Paint
- Canvases
- Easels
- Adhesives, hanging hooks
- Catering exepenses (cups, plates, napkins, etc.)
- Decor expenses (balloons, ribbons, etc.)
- Cost of DJ/live band
- Marketing
- Graphic Designer
- Costs of key note speakers
- Give aways (apparel, gift cards, pins, stickers, etc.)
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Thank you! from John Freddy Hurtado:

Message to anyone who has supported and continues to support our movement. I, like this movement, am nothing without you. Like you, if we share similiar backgrounds, I too come from a broken home, underfunded schooling, and an impossible past where I was counted out many times - only saved by the love and belief of those few who believed in me. I, am a writer from a ghetto; and so I have a responsbility to help and provide to those like me, who wish they had the opportunities I was so lucky to receive through hard work, and the belief of certain teachers, mentors, and friends. When I think back of how this movement has come to be, it is by no less of a miracle; and everyday, I am sure it is less of my doing, and more of a calling to serve those of 'urban' communities, by provding artistic platforms not only for artists, but for communities to find ways to express, and relieve the stresses of their life, through meaningful programming and community driven experiences. This movement began from  from a failure. I was fired from a job at the local newspaper, and to comfort my own soul, my only refuge was to express myself. In needing to tell my story, I understood I was not the only one. There are many people suffering from mental illness, and a need to express themselves, but more importantly for someone to tell them they're not alone. This is why we do what we do at Hurtjohn - because we know art saves lives. It saved mine.