Simone Leigh

The Newark Arts Council is pleased to announce the opening of Red Badge of Courage, on Sunday, October 28th when it will present new work by 66 artists from New Jersey, New York and abroad in a 13,000 square foot space in downtown Newark .

Curated by Omar Lopez-Chahoud, the exhibition is based on the life and work of 19th century writer/poet/journalist Stephen Crane, a native of Newark. Although he died young, at age 28, Crane's work and life have inspired many artists throughout the years: His portrait was used by the Beatles on the cover of their album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The 2001 film The Dark Riders was based on a Crane poem. And there have been a number of film versions of The Red Badge of Courage, the most famous of which was directed by John Huston and released in 1951. The Red Badge of Courage tells the story of a young man's life as a soldier during the American Civil War.