East Brunswick Artist Delighted To Feature In Public Art Project

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — If you happen to visit the Metuchen Public Library Art Gallery, you’ll come across artwork from Dominique Brancato.

A resident of East Brunswick, Brancato was selected to participate in the fourth annual "Windows of Understanding" public art project.

This project unites local artists, organizations, and businesses to promote compassion and awareness around social justice issues impacting local communities.

The project is a collaboration between New Brunswick Community Arts Council, Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, Highland Park Arts Commission and Metuchen Arts Council.

Brancato was asked to center her work around COVID-19 guidelines by promoting awareness within her piece. She met with Metuchen’s EMT workers, first aid squad and volunteers to find inspiration.

“It was really interesting to learn about what they're doing. When I was there, they also had students who are still in college, who are training to be there. It was just really cool to see the commitment that they have to saving lives that are affected by COVID,” said Brancato.

Born and raised in East Brunswick, Brancato is a graduate of East Brunswick Public School. She then enrolled in the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, graduating in May 2020.

“I’m one of six siblings and currently I’m the only artistic one,” she said.

She recalls meeting the other artists for the "Windows of Understand" project over a Zoom call. But she missed working in a common space with them due to COVID.

“It felt a little weird. In art school we had our own little studios, it was open so everyone could walk around and see what you're working on. And help with critique. But with this, it was kind of very isolating,” she said. But the group overcame that through Zoom meetings and sending pictures of their work for feedback.

Through her work, Brancato hopes people understand the severity of COVID-19 and how first responders were risking their lives to help the community.

“Especially the people who are avoiding wearing masks, social distancing or not following the guidelines – I hope they see how it’s not just affecting them, but people around them, their family, community.”

She was especially excited to visit Metuchen and learn more about the borough.

“I’ve only been around East Brunswick. It was exciting to visit Metuchen. It’s such a cute town with a lively feel to it. Everyone I got to work with were very sweet,” she said.

Brancato draws her inspiration from her family. “Growing up we would go to my grandma's house and there was always crayons on a table and we would just draw stuff. And even at home, reading children's books, there were a bunch of cartoon illustrations inside of them. And I would recreate them in my own sketchbook, or just copy the drawings just to see if I can make it myself.”

Her painting style has a “nostalgic mood” to it. “It’s more about invoking memories everyone can relate to,” she said.

The ‘Windows of Understanding’ Project was launched on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 18 and will culminate on Feb. 28. Artwork from the project will be displayed across windows in New Brunswick, Highland Park, and Metuchen.

Artists will showcase work based on topics like food insecurity, public health, climate change, healing from trauma etc.

You can learn more about the project by clicking here.

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