Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3: Jersey City Art Book Fair

The ink is dry, the doors are open! If you’ve spent any time in the industrial corridors of Jersey City lately, you know it’s no longer just Manhattan’s sixth borough—it’s a formidable creative engine in its own right. This weekend, the focus shifts to Mana Contemporary as the fourth annual  Jersey Art Book Fair (JAB Fair) takes over the main floor.

Presented by the team at Dense Magazine, JAB Fair isn’t just a trade show; it’s a high-tactility celebration of the place-based narrative. For those of us who still live for the scent of fresh ink and the specific weight of a well-bound zine, this is the motherboard. From the meticulous risographs of Draw Down Books to the grassroots energy of #blkgrlswurld ZINE, the fair brings together over 150 exhibitors who prove that print is not just surviving—it’s reinventing itself. Whether you’re a veteran collector or just looking for that one limited-edition monograph that refuses to be digitized, let Mana be your weekend destination.

Mana Contemporary, 888 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ Info

The Jersey Art Book Fair (JAB Fair) 2026 features a robust lineup of interactive programming at Mana Contemporary, ranging from zine-making workshops to expert-led talks on print culture and design history. 

Featured Talks and Panels: Check Mana Contemporary for dates and times. These sessions delve into the theory, history, and practice behind independent publishing: 

Leaves & Spreads / Zines as Landscapes: Hosted by Alex Kostiw, this talk explores the intersection of zine layout and environmental themes. 

Counter-Archiving through Altered Books: An in-depth discussion on how artists use the book as a structure to challenge traditional historical narratives. 

Draw Down Books Rebrand Talk: Designers Kathleen and Christopher Sleboda discuss their research into Journal Square's transit systems and print history that informed the 2026 fair's visual identity. 

Zine-Making and Career Readiness: A talk hosted by DENSE exploring the future of print as a community tool in an AI-driven era. 

Demonstrations and Workshops: Tactile, hands-on sessions allow attendees to learn specific print and bookmaking techniques. Check Mana Contemporary for dates and times.

Live Cutting / Inside Surprise: A demonstration by Julien Gardair showing intricate cutting techniques that transform flat paper into 3D sculptural forms. 

Riso-Printing Demos: Interactive sessions throughout the weekend focused on the unique aesthetics and mechanics of Risograph printing [above]

Simple Folding Pop-Up Workshop: Hosted by Andre Lee Bassuet, this workshop combines storytelling with paper engineering to create mythological "imaginary beasts.

Tintype Portrait Demos: Live studio demonstrations of the classic tintype photography process hosted by AgNO3 Lab. 

Everyday Poetics: A hands-on session focused on the synergy between writing and creating artist books. 

While the Jersey Art Book Fair takes center stage at Mana this weekend, the 2-million-square-foot complex is also hosting several permanent and rotating exhibitions that you can explore during your visit. Here’s the tip of this iceberg:

Current Key Exhibitions: Check Mana Contemporary for dates and times.

Pierogi / Flat Files: A partnership with Monira Foundation featuring an extensive archive of works on paper from the renowned Pierogi Gallery.

Open Book(S) / Observations: On view through September 1 this exhibition explores the book as an artistic medium through traditional and non-traditional forms.

Andy Warhol / The Original Silkscreens: This long-running installation by the Ayn Foundation features Warhol's iconic prints spanning from 1963 to 1984.

Dan Flavin / Cornered Fluorescent Light: A major installation that explores the relationship between light and architecture by placing commercially available fluorescent tubes in specific "situations".

John Chamberlain / Photographs: A collection of panoramic images created using a Wide-Lux camera, offering a different perspective on the artist known for his crushed-metal sculptures.

While you’re in JC, several other venues are hosting artists receptions this weekend: 

Art House Gallery: Join the opening reception for Jersey City artist Bryant Small,  Playing Favorites on Saturday, May 2, 3:00 PM – 5:00. This intimate solo show features Small’s luminous alcohol ink compositions, many never before exhibited publicly. 345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ Info

Firmament Gallery at Nimbus Arts Center: On Saturday (8:30 AM–6 PM) and Sunday (9:30 AM–5 PM), you can visit River, Flood, Fire by Jill Scipione. The exhibit features large-scale works on paper and a crocheted wall installation exploring humanity and the natural world. 

329 Warren St, Jersey City, NJ. Info 

Museum of Jersey City History: On Sunday, May 3 at 1:00 PM, the museum hosts In Her Footsteps, an immersive multimedia experience celebrating influential women in history through interactive actors.

298 Academy Street, Jersey City, NJ Info.