Independent Arts News Reporting Trenton Artist April Cooper Accepted into Prestigious Gallery 14C Exhibition
Reported on Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Pictured Above: “Invited to the Cookout” Oil Painting 36×48. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: TRENTON, NEW JERSEY
Celebrating Black Life and Culture Through Vivid, Narrative-Driven Oil Paintings
Trenton, NJ — Ewing-based painter April Cooper has been accepted into Gallery 14C’s “Under the Influence” exhibition in Jersey City, one of New Jersey’s premier showcases for emerging and established artists. Cooper was also recently accepted into another juried art show, “Food Story,” and has gained recognition from Goldman Sachs’ “Black in Business” program for her growing art business. Her work focuses on celebrating Black life and culture through vivid, narrative-driven oil paintings.
The Gallery 14C exhibition “Under the Influence” runs October 3, 2025 through January 11, 2026, and invites artists to show a painting that influenced their own practice. Cooper’s featured artwork is inspired by Ernie Barnes’ iconic painting “The Sugar Shack,” which highlights community, joy, and cultural moments. Cooper draws on similar themes of gathering and celebration, with inspiration rooted in her upbringing in Trenton.
April Cooper will be present at Gallery 14C for the exhibition’s opening reception on October 3rd, from 5:00–8:00 pm.
Pictured Above: “Out All Night” Oil Painting 24×36. Photo Credit: Contributed.
“This painting is my way of honoring everyday moments in Black communities, from family gatherings to local spaces and sharing that joy and identity through my art,” says Cooper.
Cooper’s recent milestones reflect her dedication to elevating everyday experiences in Black communities and expanding her presence in the New Jersey arts scene.
For more information about the exhibition, visit: https://artfair14c.com/gallery14c/
