Welcome to Newark International Airport Terminal A:
Dirty Soles Footwear Group x Hudson
Featuring INK bookstore.
Art is Life.
+The Dirty Soles Founders are Artists
We are greatly inspired by works of Art. In its various forms, Art influences the creative genius in who we are, the way we think and how we do business. From fashion to footwear, photography, painting and poetry, every medium has its place in our “sole” and in our community.
All About INK.
For the opening of our location, INK by Hudson at Newark Airport’s Terminal A, we are proud to shine a spotlight on our personal friend and ancestor, Newark Artist — Jerry Gant. Visit us at INK, where the volumes of curated books and publications, collection of creative works and a vintage-inspired record store nestled within this location, provides the perfect experience in literature, art and music for the New Jersey traveler.
Jerry Gant x Solepack
Featuring the JEYGO print created by Jerry Gant and multifunctional bags in collaboration with Solepack.
Jerry Gant (b. 1961- d. 2018) was a Black American artist whose work is associated with Abstract Expressionism, Neo Dada, and Street Art practices. He is best known for his depictions of urban Black expression in the forms of fashion, poetry, street art, painting, sculpture, and performance. Gant’s artistic practice traversed and bridged all forms of visual and performance art disciplines; in this sense, the hallmark of his creative impulse has been an enduring genre-defiance, one that shattered all categories while resisting the limits of classification.
“The Solepack journey began in the Staten Island-NYC area around the late 90s-early 2000. The cultural hotbed of NYC around those times played a heavy influence on the movement. As a student, commuter, bballer, sneaker enthusiast , runner, hiker, & traveler I always needed a way to store my shoes on the go. Constantly running out of room in my backpack, I would end up carrying around a plastic bag just for shoes. I looked for a product that let me store my shoes on my backpack, but there were none… so I invented one myself!” ~ Mike Sala, Solepack Founder
2023 is the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop.
An art form in its own right, Hip Hop has and continues to inspire the fashion and footwear industry. Through music and art inspiration, creative design and direction, the Dirty Soles team builds customized one-of-kind designs and produces branded product that speaks to the true definition of getting your “soles dirty” in the community; never talking the talk but always walking the walk toward being the change you seek in the world.
Shoe Customization…
the Dirty Soles Way
In alignment with the Jerry Gant x SolePack collaboration, New Jersey Shoe Maker and Dirty Soles team member, Puneet “Pete” Sandhu utilized the the JEYGO printed fabric to customize and enhance original designs by Luis Matos from the Dirty Soles archives.
Dirty Soles team member Kevin Cristancho customized an AF1. As a DSFG “Art of Shoe Making” instructor Kevin assists in teaching Newark Public School students the proper technical and artistic skills of shoe customization further cementing our love of sneakers, footwear and community.
Customization Inquiries & Concessions Info Requests: DirtySolesFootwear@gmail.com
Dirty Soles Merch.
How do you measure purpose work? We measure it by the physical and metaphorical dirt on the soles of our feet generated from “walking the walk” in our community and beyond. This is the catalyst for the creation of Dirty Soles merchandise. The name speaks for itself.
For INK’s opening, Dirty Soles Merchandise includes tees, sweatshirts and hoodies — with more to come!
How do you get your “soles dirty” doing purpose work that holds meaning to you? Whether in your local community, through volunteering, in service via the workplace, or personal efforts in social justice and equity impact investments, ALL purpose work is not only needed but necessary for the positive advancement of our society. Join the movement!
+ a portion of all proceeds benefits Dirty Soles Foundation, a 501c3.
Jerry Gant, Art.
An interdisciplinary visual artist, writer, educator, activist, cultural historian and theorist, Jerry Gant was a native of Newark, New Jersey, and, along with his divergent body of creative practices was a major component of the vibrant Newark arts and culture scene for over 35 years. Jerry’s extensive list of achievements span and connect the literary, performing and visual arts, and feature numerous solo projects, group exhibitions, as well as significant and varied critical reviews, including the New York Times.
An early creator and proponent of eco-friendly and sustainable fashion, Gant first emerged as an artist on the streets of Newark and New York City in the 1980’s with repurposed, hand-painted streetwear. Over time, his upcycling methods evolved to include bold images and an intricate system of visual symbols, similar to hieroglyphics, which ultimately became recognizable as distinctive features of his art wear practice, aptly branded as ‘Gantalism’.
Art provided by the Jerry Gant Estate Executor, Linda Street.
Be sure to visit ink + all of our locations at Newark International Airport Terminal A.
Coming Soon to an Airport Terminal and local retailer near you… Newark Kiosk
Food & Beverage.
Healthy foods and beverage supplier / retailer of natural fruit juice infused detoxidant teas, veggie juices and grab & go items made / manufactured in Newark, NJ.