Arts & Entertainment
Murals Infuse Newark Historic District With Hope, Positivity
A wave of 14 murals in downtown Newark are spreading powerful messages about social justice. Learn more about the artists and their work.
NEWARK, NJ — A wave of public murals in downtown Newark are demonstrating the thought-provoking power of art.
Last month, Newark Arts announced that the first phase of the Four Corners Public Arts project is finished, bringing 14 new murals to the Brick City. The project is an ongoing collaboration between the city via Invest Newark, the Newark Downtown District (NDD), Newark Arts and property owners RBH Group and Paramount Assets.
Since the project began, previously stark alleyways on Treat Place and Beaver Street have been transformed with vibrant, welcoming art painted on building facades and sidewalks. The eye-catching artwork uses the city itself as a backdrop, drawing inspiration from its past.
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Murals include:
- Daniela Pulliti’s Welcome Quilt sidewalk mural greets visitors with the words “All Are Welcome,” beckoning pedestrians to follow a patchwork path intertwining the LGBTQ flag with a spectrum of skin tones and quilt squares inspired by the Newark Museum’s quilting archive.
- Gabe Ribeiro's Newark is for Artists thoughtfully demarks space for artists’ pride and representation.
- The Barat Foundation’s Sewing a Path to Freedom is a nod to the legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman, the First Presbyterian Church of Newark’s contributions as a safe haven, and a survey of Underground Railroad quilts and corresponding codes.
- Magnitude and Bond, the tallest mural in Newark to date, is collaborative mural by A Womb of Violet Collective led by fayemi shakur, Layqa Nuna Yawar and Kelley Prevard. It is a striking tribute to Newark’s “Mother of the Arts,” the late Gladys Barker Grauer, and to the beloved poet Breya ‘Blkbrry Molassez’ Knight that can be seen throughout downtown Newark.
The project saw support from sponsors such as The Sherwin Williams Company, which donated more than 175 gallons of paint to the effort. Other sponsors included Wilber’s Painting of Maplewood, Jerry’s Artist Outlet of West Orange, Hanini Group of Newark and several other local restaurants and organizations that offered meals and material support for the artists.
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Learn more and see photos of the murals.
“When private and public partners invest in artists, we spur the economy, beautify our streets and inspire our children,” said Jeremy Johnson of Newark Arts. “We look forward to future phases that will engage more artists and partners to keep Newark rising.”
View this post on InstagramTOMORROW! Join the Four Corners Public Arts team, artists and special guests Tuesday, November 19th for a celebration of the program’s first phase! 3 - 5pm, stop by the project headquarters, grab a map, and tour the recently completed murals. 5pm, join the team for toast, conversation and activities! Link in Bio to RSVP Phase 1 Artists & Collaborators: Womb of Violet (fayemi shakur @fayemi_ , Dr. Antoinette Ellis-Williams @annieellis5, Bimpé Fageyinbo @bybimpe, Margie Johnson @bestthingcreated, Jennifer Mack-Watkins @mack_jenniferprints, Jasmine Mans @poetjasminemans, K Desireé Milwood @haikuguru, Sheikia Norris, and Jillian Rock @illyjilly in collaboration with Layqa Nuna Yawar @layqanunayawar and Kelley Prevard @prevardk, Armisey Smith @javart3, Barat Foundation @baratfoundation with featured artist Sue Daly , Daniela Puliti @danielabobella, Eirini Linardaki @linardakiandco in collaboration with Discovery Charter School, GERALUZ @geraluz, HIMED @himed_stencil, Jo-El Lopez @jo_ellopez, Manuel Acevedo @698manuelacevedo in collaboration with the Jerry J. Gant Estate/Pink Dragon Artist Syndicate @pinkdragonmgt, Nancy Saleme @threadingtrends and Patricia Cazorla @patcazorla, Noelle Lorraine Williams @black_abolitionists_newark. The first phase was curated by Rebecca Pauline Jampol @rjampol, co-director of Project for Empty Space and visiting professor at Rutgers University-Newark. Four Corners Public Arts advocates for impact-driven, public art initiatives in and surrounding Broad & Market St. in Newark, New Jersey. The multi-phase program is driven by a public-private partnership between the City of Newark, Invest Newark (formally NCEDC), real estate developer RBH Group, real estate investment firm Paramount Assets, the Newark Downtown District (NDD) and Newark Arts. The program is made possible by a generous sponsorship from The Sherwin Williams Company. They have donated over 175 gallons of paint to the first phase, as well as product and support. Additional sponsors include Wilber’s Painting, Jerry’s Artist Outlet, Hanini Group and many local restaurants and organizations that have pledged meals and support. #NewarkArts
A post shared by Newark Arts (@newarkarts) on Nov 18, 2019 at 1:39pm PST
View this post on InstagramYou’ve seen the new murals, now join the celebration! Newark Arts, @fourcornerspublicarts partners, artists and special guests will come together on Tuesday, November 19th for a celebration of the program’s first phase! From 3 - 5pm, stop by the project headquarters, grab a map, and tour the recently completed murals. At 5pm, join the team for a toast, conversation and activities! RSVP link is in our bio! Phase 1 Artists & Collaborators: Armisey Smith, Barat Foundation with Sue Daly, Daniela Puliti, Eirini Linardaki with Discovery Charter School, GERALUZ, HIMED, Jo-El Lopez, Manuel Acevedo with Pink Dragon Syndicate, Nancy Saleme & Patricia Cazorla, Noelle Lorraine Williams, The Rorshach Collective and Womb Of Violet Collective in collaboration with Layqa Nuna Yawar & Kelley Prevard. The first phase was curated by Rebecca Pauline Jampol, co-director of Project for Empty Space and visiting professor at Rutgers University-Newark. Photo credit: @fslyphotography About Four Corners Public Arts: Four Corners Public Arts advocates for impact-driven, public art initiatives in and surrounding Broad & Market St. in Newark, New Jersey. The multi-phase program is driven by a public-private partnership between the City of Newark, Invest Newark (formally NCEDC), real estate developer RBH Group, real estate investment firm Paramount Assets, the Newark Downtown District (NDD) and Newark Arts. The program is made possible by a generous sponsorship from The Sherwin Williams Company. The Sherwin Williams Company prioritizes initiatives such as this and has dedicated themselves to the Newark community, fueling initiatives such as the 2016 Gateways to Newark mural project. They have donated over 175 gallons of paint to the first phase, as well as product and support. Additional sponsors include Wilber’s Painting (Maplewood, NJ), Jerry’s Artist Outlet (West Orange, NJ), Hanini Group (Newark, NJ) and many local restaurants and organizations that have pledged meals and support for the artists at work. #NewarkArts #publicart #muralart #linkinbio
A post shared by Newark Arts (@newarkarts) on Nov 15, 2019 at 4:41pm PST
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