Grand Opening of the Golden Door Mini Golf at Hamilton Park

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Announcing the PBR Tour! The Mini-Golf, Beer & Hot Dog Invitational
Does the thought of mini-golf, beer, and wieners excite you? If the answer is yes, then join us for an awesome evening in Jersey City on Thursday, July 22 where you will have more fun with an art work than should be legally allowed.

Regular readers of Hyperallergic will know how much we L.O.V.E. museums, particularly the small institutions that provide a crucial service to local communities eager to learn more about art. Well, we’ve decided to show our love by doing something … and we would love for you to join us!

As we all know by now, THE JERSEY CITY MUSEUM IS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE! So, we’re doing our part by organizing an awesome fundraiser on Thursday, July 22 (7-9:30 pm) that includes:

1 — a night of all-you-can-play mini-golf exclusively for Hyperallergic readers, friends, and contributors,
2 — a brief talk by the curator about the mini-golf sculptures & unorthodox exhibition concept,
3 — all-you-can-drink beer and soda, and
4 — all-you-can-eat hot dogs, sausages, and veggie dogs.

(more info)

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Made the NYT:


Come for Art, Stay for the Golf
By TAMMY LA GORCE
Published: July 2, 2010
 
FOR reasons ranging from fashion to sky-high club fees, artists and golf courses generally don’t mix. Miniature golf, however, is a different story, at least in Jersey City.

Through Sept. 6, a combination art exhibition/miniature golf course called the Golden Door, presented by the Jersey City Museum and the Liberty National Golf Club, will be open to players of all ages, seven days a week, from 10 a.m. until dusk; a $5 admission ($4 for museum members) at the entrance to the nine-hole outdoor course will benefit the financially strapped museum.

“Basically what happened was there was this empty lot” with no immediate construction plans, “so the owners contacted the museum,” said Christina Vassallo, 30, of Brooklyn, the exhibition’s curator, referring to the real estate developers Paul and Eric Silverman. “They said, ‘You can use this space. We’d love for you to do something this summer.’ ” (more)

[fishwithbraids]

we had more fun than anticipated, I like that the holes aren't easy.
when they are impossible, you ask yourself first how incapable you are,
but if you look closer, some artists are not always the best engineers..
They also say that they want you to sweat. part of the golden door hussle.

Quite true.

[dragonaut]

Yeah they actually hired two art students from the local college there as "groundskeepers", and I know I'm neurotically checking up on the plants on my lady's to make sure they aren't over trampled.  I know the paint job can take a beating, though, and that ramp can hold the weight of two chubby dudes in their late 20's, so that amounts to something in my book.  Glad you enjoyed it!

[Bobblehead]

We did this last weekend. Some of the holes were very creative and fun, some were creative and a little annoying, some I could have done without, but overall, it was a great way to spend $5 and 45 minutes.

Best shot? Misplaying my first shot on the hole with the flowers stapled to the ramps, so that it completely jumped over everything and landed near the hole.

Worst shot? My third shot on hole 8, which went into a structure and never came out.  I am sure, when the summer is over, and they unbolt this stuff, they'll find more than a few balls lost in there.

Haha, the hole with the flowers all over the ramps is my girlfriend's.  I worked the construction, but the carpenters cut a lot of the wood for the tops of the ramps, and definitely cut that first ramp too short, creating a weird dip that causes the ball to fly over the entire thing.  I tried getting her to make giant tall grass and flowers to stop it from happening, but she ran out of vinyl and fabric.

Awesome! The rest of my family got bogged down in the weeds and ate my dust for the remainder of the course. Because beating your wife and children at mini-golf is really what is important. 

The problem with hole 8 was that the internal ramps had no lids, so my ball jumped the course inside the structure. I loved the hole--the elevator was great--but that internal ramp needed to be a PVC pipe.

From the amount of wear on the course, it might need some refreshing over the summer if it is to stay attractive.

[dragonaut]

We did this last weekend. Some of the holes were very creative and fun, some were creative and a little annoying, some I could have done without, but overall, it was a great way to spend $5 and 45 minutes.

Best shot? Misplaying my first shot on the hole with the flowers stapled to the ramps, so that it completely jumped over everything and landed near the hole.

Worst shot? My third shot on hole 8, which went into a structure and never came out.  I am sure, when the summer is over, and they unbolt this stuff, they'll find more than a few balls lost in there.

Haha, the hole with the flowers all over the ramps is my girlfriend's.  I worked the construction, but the carpenters cut a lot of the wood for the tops of the ramps, and definitely cut that first ramp too short, creating a weird dip that causes the ball to fly over the entire thing.  I tried getting her to make giant tall grass and flowers to stop it from happening, but she ran out of vinyl and fabric.

[Bobblehead]

We did this last weekend. Some of the holes were very creative and fun, some were creative and a little annoying, some I could have done without, but overall, it was a great way to spend $5 and 45 minutes.

Best shot? Misplaying my first shot on the hole with the flowers stapled to the ramps, so that it completely jumped over everything and landed near the hole.

Worst shot? My third shot on hole 8, which went into a structure and never came out.  I am sure, when the summer is over, and they unbolt this stuff, they'll find more than a few balls lost in there.

[dragonaut]

My friend Dylan wrote this article for the art blog Hyperallergic.

CLICK

[MCA™]

Pictures from last night's event, via the JC Independent.

[PuddinPop]

Hahaha. I was also drunk. And "surfing" on a long, white cooler.

Check this shit out.  I am drunk.

[shahaggy]

good time tonight, the course is awesome, (just need a little netting in a few spots) you can see a lot of hard work went into the project.  well done and I hope the $100K goal is met.

[dragonaut]

Check this shit out.  I am drunk.

[itsaurora]

disappointed I'm going to miss the grand opening, but I can't wait to check it out. Fun times for a good cause!

[PuddinPop]

A Fight To Save Jersey City Museum

Btw, I will be slinging sangria and beer at the event. It's not too late to buy a ticket!

[MCA™]

Jersey city artists fuse history, masterpieces and mini-golf
Published: Thursday, June 17, 2010, 3:08 PM
Updated: Thursday, June 17, 2010, 3:12 PM
Gem Jefferson/The Jersey Journal

The once empty lot that served as a temporary park until Hamilton Park recently reopened has now transformed into a mini-golf course, designed and constructed by artists, that will raise money for the Jersey City Museum.

"We wanted to create a perfect marriage between art and mini-golf," exhibition curator Christina Vassallo said.

The course, called "The Golden Door Mini-Golf Course", will be themed after the period 1892 to 1954 when Jersey City serving as America's Golden Door to immigrants that came through Ellis Island in that time.

The course will open at 6 p.m. Wednesday with a $75 per person fund-raiser. The goal is to raise $100,000 for the Jersey City Museum.

The course will be open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to dusk through Labor Day. A round will cost $5 per person, $4 for Jersey City Museum members.

[Binky]

Artist screwing on carpet

Doesn't look like that comfortable a place to screw, if you ask me.  Likely to get rug burns.

Or should that read "Artist screwing UP on carpet?"

[jehu]

You would think that he would color coordinate the greens!

[fasteddie]

Artist screwing on carpet

[shahaggy]

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/06/mini-golf_fund-raiser_for_jers.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Mini-golf fund-raiser for Jersey City Museum at Hamilton Square


A group that includes developers Paul and Eric Silverman and former U.S. Rep. Frank Guarini are hoping to raise $100,000 for the financially ailing Jersey City Museum.


The group also includes the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), the museum and Liberty National golf club. They will host the grand opening of “The Golden Door Mini-Golf Course” at Hamilton Square, on Pavonia Avenue in Downtown Jersey City on Wednesday, June 23, at 6 p.m.


Admission party is $75 per person and includes food and drink.


Known as America’s Golden Door, Jersey City was the first stop for
immigrants coming through Ellis Island (1892-1954) to seek their
American Dreams.

Inspired by the city’s history, 10 artists and collaborative teams were
invited to create golf holes that portray their interpretations of “The
Golden Door” by referencing immigration, economic mobility, and
obstacles, as well as solutions and various ways to achieve success.

The exhibit, designed by Risa Puno, features holes not only

designed to be functional, but also possesses a unique artistic twist
that captures the artists’ imagination and originality. In addition to
sculptural golf holes, there will be a golf shack, fountain, and other
elements to further emphasize the exhibition’s theme.



“An artist designed mini-golf course is the perfect way to get the public
interested in their local museum,"Jersey City Museum Curator Christina Vassallo said. "We hope that people who might be more inclined to play mini-golf would consider visiting Jersey City Museum after having such an exciting experience interacting with art.”


Since April 1, the museum has been operating on a limited schedule and is now open only from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

“Building neighborhoods takes many ingredients and Jersey City Museum plays a critical role, developing and supporting artists, entertaining our residents and educating our students.” said Paul Silverman, who along with his brother developed Hamilton Square, a condo complex at Hamilton Park. “The museum is under severe financial strain right now, Hamilton Park has re-opened and the neighborhood is booming, so what better time for us to work to raise $100,000 for the museum.”

[MCA™]

The Grand Opening of the Golden Door Mini Golf at Hamilton Park

Date:    June 23, 2010
Time:   6pm – 10pm
Details: SILVERMAN, developers of Hamilton Square, celebrate the Grand Opening of Jersey City Museum and Liberty National “The Golden Door Mini-Golf Course” Wednesday, June 23, 2010, 6pm -10pm. The mini-golf course is located at Hamilton Square at Erie Street and Pavonia Avenue in Jersey City, NJ. Tickets for the Grand Opening Party are $75 per person and include food and drink provided by our sponsors. This is a wonderful chance to support the museum while enjoying a round of mini-golf, a favorite American leisure sport. Proceeds collected from the entire mini golf event will go to Jersey City Museum to ensure the livelihood of art and culture in Jersey City.

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