BOONTON

'Underground art chamber' sets up shop in Boonton

Gene Myers
NorthJersey
Co-owners Monifa Brinson and her daughter Shandira Mulraine are moving into a space below Boonton Coffee Co. on Main Street with an art space they call NTUR.

A fledgling business has moved to Main Street and is looking to help fledgling artists. 

Monifa Brinson and her daughter Shandira Mulraine have signed the lease and are moving into the space below Boonton Coffee Co. on Main Street. The business has art space the two call NTUR. It’s an acronym with fluidity, much like their business model.

“It sounds like ‘enter’ but we didn’t actually intend for it to sound that way,” Brinson said. “It stands for a phrase that I like to use. I want to have events that are Not The Usual. Sometimes the R stands for Recreation. Sometimes the acronym stands for Not the Usual Revelation. Sometimes the R is for Relaxation.” 

Brinson said the space can be thought of as an art gallery, but it’s more than that, so she calls it an “underground art chamber.” 

It is devoted to promoting independent, upcoming artists in all genres. Visual art will coexist with music, poetry, film, dance and more. 

“We are open to all types of artistic presentations,” she said. 

So far they have had three events and they have yet to establish a web presence or even regular hours. They are working with groups such as Boonton Main Street, the non-profit dedicated to promoting and revitalizing downtown, to spread the word. 

They are also working to get a license that will let them serve food during events. But for the time being, they are only open while events are taking place. 

“We are growing and we are very excited,” she said. “Being an entrepreneur can be difficult but Boonton’s Main Street is very welcoming and supportive.” 

The first event featured Richard Nwaoko AKA DJ Rich Chill, who hosted the space’s First Friday event in June. Recently featured in Bud Light commercials, Brinson said the local celebrity DJ/director/actor is “a perfect example of someone who is up-and-coming in the arts.” 

While he was deejaying, they encouraged guests to come to the mic to spontaneously collaborate with him. 

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As far as what the space looks like, Brinson said it is a mixture of a small theater and art studio. Works by visual artist Nala currently hang on the walls. 

“We like to encourage people regardless of what level of talent they have,” Brinson said.  “You could be 15 and starting to write poetry or older and like to sing, but need encouragement. We want to be a location that provides a venue for that.” 

Freestyle Friday Nights with a DJ and open mic will be reoccurring. Other possible events might include a daytime interview series with local artists that would feature live performances.   

Brinson said if people have ideas or they are looking to collaborate, they can reach out to her via email at ntur.llc@gmail.com, at least until regular hours are established. 

Email: myers@northjersey.com