About This Episode
In this episode, we explore how art can preserve forgotten histories and create a sense of belonging through conversation with visual artist Jin Jung, whose WERE HERE project places handmade blue ceramic markers throughout Jersey City to commemorate overlooked historical figures and events.
Meet Jin Jung
Jin Jung is a visual artist, educator at NJCU, and creator of the WERE HERE project. Born in Seoul, Korea and having moved to the US at age 11, Jin uses public art to explore community history and create connections to place. Her handmade ceramic markers throughout Jersey City honor forgotten histories while creating what she calls "shelters for stories that might otherwise fade away."
Connect with Jin Jung:
Instagram: @constructed_ephemera
Website: jinjung.com
WERE HERE Instagram: @wereherejc
WERE HERE Website: https://www.wereherejc.info/home
Key Insights
Jin began the WERE HERE project with photographer Duquann Sweeney to commemorate forgotten figures in Jersey City history
The handmade ceramic plaques serve as temporary markers that invite official recognition of these important stories
As an immigrant, Jin uses art and historical research to build her own relationship with Jersey City
The WERE HERE plaques honor figures including Cliff Joseph (founder of the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition), Betty Shabazz (Malcolm X's widow who studied at NJCU), and the site of the African Burial Ground
The project's title intentionally functions as both "we are here" and "were here," connecting past and present
Community reactions have been largely positive, with residents often helping maintain the markers
Jin views the changing city as inevitable but believes understanding its history helps us better understand who we are and our responsibilities as residents
Hidden Footsteps by Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham - documentary about Jersey City's African American history that informed some of Jin's and Duquann’s research
Related Resources
Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy - partnered with Jin on the African Burial Ground marker
Duquann Sweeney Photography - Jin's collaborator on the WERE HERE project
New Jersey City University (NJCU) - site of the Betty Shabazz marker and alma mater of several artists Jin has commemorated
Explore Further
Visit my Substack for the show notes with photos and an upcoming article that dives even deeper in the markers and what they mean for the community.
Coming Up Next
Join me for a conversation with Jersey City music legend and cultural chronicler Tris McCall as we explore how songwriting, journalism, and deep local knowledge combine to document a city's changing identity. Tris brings unique insights into Jersey City's cultural landscape through his decades of artistic and journalistic work.
Connect with Nat
Website: natkalbach.com
Substack:
Instagram: @natkalbach
Email: podcast@natkalbach.com
Music: Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke.
Support the Show: Subscribe to the podcast and sign up for Nat's Substack to receive additional stories and visuals that complement each conversation.
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Nat's Sidewalk Stories explores the intersection of place, community, and storytelling through conversations with practitioners, community leaders, and local changemakers. New episodes release on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month through August, with a break in September before Season 2 begins in October.
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