Artists in Hoboken, N.J., are working hard to preserve the building where they live and work, Neumann Leathers, "one of the city’s last artistic and historic arts complexes." They've formed the Neumann Leathers Tenants Association to save the building at Observer Highway and Willow Ave., now scheduled for demolition to make way for luxury housing. Neumann has been full of artists, artisans and creative technology-based small businesses for two decades. their alternate "Piazza Plan" will preserve some structures and create new ones, including public space "that will benefit all Hoboken citizens." An open house and studio tour is set for May 18, 2008, and everyone who has ever worked at Neumann -- as artist, artisan, entrepreneur or employee -- is urged to come and their memories, opinions and feelings about the building, documented by resident filmmaker Mark Gaspar. [LINK] Posted by Linda Frye Burnham