The Golden Experience: A Night of Art and Community at Newark's Gold Ball 2025

The Newark Museum of Art was transformed into a dazzling golden spectacle as it hosted this year’s anticipatory Gold Ball, marking the opening of Newark Arts Festival 2025: JOY. On October 8, 2025, a variety of guests—from local artists and community leaders to fashion enthusiasts—gathered in splendid attire, celebrating an evening that cleverly intertwined art, fashion, and community spirit.

Inspired by the success of the previous year's Pink Ball, this edition of the Gold Ball was grander in scale and creativity, showcasing a vision crafted by renowned designer Bailey Li and fashion artist Erika Hicks. Guests entered a mesmerizing world filled with immersive art installations, featuring gold accents that sparkled with every flicker of light, thereby establishing an engaging backdrop for the night’s festivities.

Lauren LeBeaux Craig, the Executive Director of The Newark Museum of Art, elaborated on the event’s significance: “The Gold Ball is more than just a gala; it’s a vibrant celebration of Newark’s artistic essence. We are thrilled to open our doors for a memorable night that encapsulates the joy of creativity and community, launching the Newark Arts Festival with JOY infused at its center.”

The theme embraced all aspects of joy, resonating through performances and installations that filled the atmosphere with energy and wonder. With guests being continually engaged by the artistic expressions surrounding them, the celebration was recognized as the epitome of vibrant community connection and cultural reflection.

Notable for the night was the breathtaking opening of the “Ode to Joy” exhibition in the Traphagen Gallery. This showcase presented works from six local visual artists, whose diverse mediums explored the concept of JOY as a transformative force in the community, shedding light on themes of resilience and identity.

Bailey Li, the installation designer, shared, “Creating a luminous setting for the Newark Museum of Art was a pivotal achievement for me. Observing attendees interact with the art—touching shimmering surfaces and exploring soft draped forms—was a uniquely magical experience.” Erika Hicks, designer and founder of Milele Atelier, added, “This night was a testament to cultural celebration and rich creativity; watching guests embody incredible styles was truly unforgettable.”

The celebration did not conclude with the Gold Ball. The Newark Arts Festival continues throughout the city until October 12, with exhibitions, performances, and experiences that collectively celebrate JOY across various artistic forms.

Festivals United Newark (FUN) spearheads this vibrant undertaking, thanks to a generous $1.5 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. FUN consolidates efforts from various festival organizers to ensure a continuous vibrancy of music, art, and community engagement throughout Newark, making it a season of cultural resonance.

This groundbreaking coalition comprises several prominent events such as the AfroBeat Fest, Halsey Festival, and Newark Winter Village, all contributing to Newark’s thriving cultural landscape. Together, they illustrate that FUN is not just a name; it's a spirited movement unifying the hearts and minds of the Newark community through shared cultural experiences.

The environment at the Gold Ball and the overarching festival embodies resilience, creativity, and connection, reminding attendees of the immense joy that grows when communities celebrate their culture and art. This extraordinary evening stood as a beacon of innovative community spirit, encouraging a collective exploration of what it means to revel in the arts.

As the Gold Ball fades into memory, the spark of creativity generated will continue to flicker brightly through the remaining days of Newark Arts Festival 2025, where joy takes center stage and creativity knows no bounds.