Paterson Youth Council Explores the Power of Art
December 11, 2025
On December 10, members of NJCDC’s Paterson Youth Council (PYC) gathered at our Great Falls Youth Center for the second installment in this year’s Roundtable Dinner series — an evening dedicated to exploring art, creativity, and the courage it takes to create.
The discussion featured three artists whose work bridges community and creativity in distinct but complementary ways. Talena Lachelle Queen, Paterson’s Poet Laureate, is the founder and president of Word Seed, Inc., a nonprofit that nurtures literacy and self-expression through poetry workshops, open mics, and the annual Paterson Poetry Festival. Alex Pergament, co-owner and Creative Director of Prototype 237, is a lawyer, musician, and arts organizer who helped transform a former warehouse on River Street into a multi-floor hub for artists, performers, and community gatherings. And Joe Waks, a multidisciplinary painter and longtime public servant, currently serves as Senior Advisor in the Office of the Hudson County Executive while continuing to exhibit his socially conscious art across New Jersey.
Together, they offered an expansive conversation on how the arts can shape identity, inspire change, and strengthen civic life — and how Paterson’s next generation of leaders can take part in that work.
Art Everywhere
Early in the discussion, Queen encouraged the group to recognize that art isn’t confined to galleries or concert halls — it’s woven into everyday life. “Every aspect of your life involves the arts,” she said. “When you go to brush your teeth in the morning, an artist designed that toothbrush. The box your toothpaste came in was drawn by someone with creative vision. The chair you sit on, the building you’re in — it’s all connected to art.”
Her point sparked agreement from the other panelists, who each described art as both reflection and foundation — something that underlies nearly every human endeavor. Queen emphasized that artists are problem-solvers. “Some puzzles can’t be solved in old ways,” she said. “They need creative thinking.”
She also shared exciting news: Word Seed, Inc. has just received the keys to its new home — a literary arts and cultural center that will host workshops, readings, and community writing programs. “Not all writers have access to schools that specialize in their art form,” she said. “That’s why we’re opening the Lit Center — so anyone, from poets to short-story writers to novelists, can come create together.”
Queen’s reflections resonated with Pergament, who noted that artistic growth often depends on shared spaces. “Art is fundamentally tied to community,” he said. “You learn by working with other people — by listening, improvising, paying attention.”
Creativity as Collaboration
The panelists continued to trade perspectives on what it takes to make art happen — not just inspiration, but initiative. Pergament described how Prototype 237 provides a platform for that collaboration. “Every Monday night, we host an open jam session where professional musicians and first-timers share the same stage,” he said. “It’s rare to find a place focused purely on creativity — but that’s what we’ve tried to make — a space where anyone can take a chance, try something new, and surprise themselves.”
Queen chimed in to reinforce that sense of collective ownership. She recalled telling young poets in Washington State that they didn’t need permission to organize their own events. “You can just decide that you and your friends are going to have an art show,” she told the students. “Find a coffee shop, a restaurant — someone will say yes. That’s leadership, and that’s how you begin building community around your art.”
Pergament added that most creative projects are possible — they just need someone to push them forward. “The thing that stops projects from happening isn’t a lack of talent,” he said. “It’s a lack of initiative. Every great performance or play or poetry reading represents hundreds of hours of thought and preparation. You just have to start.”
He smiled as he offered one of the night’s most memorable pieces of advice: “You have to be okay with looking foolish at first. That’s the price of growth. The willingness to look silly for five minutes can turn into the confidence to build something incredible.”
Making Art Public
As the discussion shifted toward how art connects to civic life, Waks spoke about the intersection of creativity and public service — and how both can change lives. “I’ve worked in government for decades,” he said, “but art has always kept me balanced. Painting, especially murals, connects me to people in ways policy sometimes can’t. It’s rewarding because it starts conversations — people stop, they ask questions, they share their own stories.”
His reflections prompted dialogue about accessibility and visibility in the arts. Pergament observed that large cities often lack dedicated performance spaces, while Queen noted that access to venues and arts education remains uneven across Paterson schools. “Teaching arts in schools is critical,” Waks said. “It uses your brain differently and gives you tools for expression and empathy. Some of my most memorable moments as a kid were art projects in school — and I think it’s a crime if young people don’t have that opportunity.”
The group agreed that creative expression isn’t a separate pursuit from civic engagement — it’s one of its strongest forms. “Art keeps communities alive,” Queen said. “It reminds people of their humanity.”
Before the night ended, Waks offered a final charge to the students that drew nods from his fellow panelists. “It’s all about you — you’re the future leaders,” he said. “If art matters to you, say so. Speak up for it. Advocate for the spaces and programs that inspire you — because your voice is what keeps them alive.”
A Night of Inspiration
Throughout the evening, the exchange was lively, candid, and filled with laughter — a genuine back-and-forth between generations of artists and civic thinkers. PYC members asked thoughtful questions about creative careers, community spaces, and how to balance passion with practicality.
Panelists responded with openness and warmth, leaving students inspired to see creativity as both personal expression and public leadership. Several said afterward that the event made the arts feel tangible — something they could pursue right here in Paterson. Many expressed plans to attend Word Seed’s open-mic nights or visit Prototype 237 to explore new forms of collaboration.
By night’s end, one message rang clear: creativity and civic engagement are deeply intertwined. Both rely on imagination, empathy, and the courage to act — and both are essential to shaping a stronger, more connected Paterson.