Uprooted by Andrea McKenna Opens at The Fold Gallery in Paterson

The Fold is proud to host Uprooted, a new exhibition by New Jersey-based interdisciplinary artist Andrea McKenna, presented in partnership with Prototype 237. The show brings McKenna’s haunting, textured paintings back to Paterson for the first time in a decade.

Exhibition Details

• Opening Reception: Friday, September 19, 2025 | 6:00–8:00 PM

• Closing Reception + Artist Talk: Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 2:00–4:00 PM

• Additional Viewing Hours:

  • Sunday, September 21 | 12:00–2:00 PM

  • Sunday, October 5 | 2:00–4:00 PM

The work will also be on view during Prototype’s fifth anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 27, which includes live performances and a ticketed evening event hosted by comedian Chris Gethard.

About the Exhibition

In Uprooted, McKenna works with burlap, limestone plaster, and acrylics to create figures that seem to emerge from another realm. She describes them as “broken, textured figures that resemble torn bodies marked with scars—wounds that allow light to emerge.” Through layering, burning, and staining her surfaces, she invites viewers to consider what lies between the material and the spiritual.

About the Artist

Based in Jersey City, Andrea McKenna has been showing work across the tri-state area for more than 30 years. In addition to her painting and video practice, she is the Gallery Director at Art House Productions, where she curates exhibitions and supports the local arts community. Her installations often merge found objects with large-scale, nontraditional materials, extending her exploration of transformation, memory, and the in-between.

About Prototype 237 and The Fold

Prototype 237 and The Fold both call 237 River Street home. Two creative spaces stacked within the former Manhattan Shirt Co. Prototype is growning into a thriving artist-run hub for performances, residencies, and workshops. The Fold offers a versatile loft-style venue for exhibitions, events, and community gatherings. Together, they create a unique ecosystem for art and culture along the Passaic River.

Visit The Fold

The Fold is located at 237 River Street, 3rd Floor, Paterson, NJ. The building is accessible via ramp and elevator; please call 929.322.3529 on arrival if you require elevator assistance.

 

Join us this fall for Uprooted and experience Andrea McKenna’s powerful work in person.