Local Arts Organizations and Youth Paint Community Mural at Kitch Organic

More than 20 local youths joined community volunteers and representatives of Red Bank’s Indie Street Film Festival, Two River Theater and Red Bank RiverCenter to paint a colorful community mural at Kitch Organic on Leighton Avenue.

Participants represented Two River Theater’s Education Programs, Project Write Now, Red Bank Regional High School and Middle School, Horizons at Rumson Country Day School, JBJ Soul Kitchen and other community organizations.

After a successful installation in 2016, Indie Street’s Artistic Director, Jay Webb, and world-renowned street artist, MDot, teamed up again this year to bring public art and an unforgettable community experience to Red Bank. At the kickoff to the painting project, Webb thanked Kitch Organic’s owner, Joe Durso, for giving the green light to the mural at his restaurant, and the large number of volunteers for their contributions to the project.

In response to his question regarding why public art is important, Red Bank resident Kate Triggiano, who brought her young son to participate, said “because it makes our space ours; it makes our town ours.”

Diana Archila, Red Bank Middle School Art Teacher, said she was contacted by another community member who remembered Archila’s students had hands-on experience creating public art through a mural unit she had done with them in class.

Julie Flores Castillo, one of the students from Red Bank Middle School, said she lives near Kitch Organic and thought it was fun and exciting to contribute to the mural and to be able to pass by and see it every day. Her classmate, Brenda Flores Avila, added that art brings people together to share ideas and the mural project helped underscore the importance of working as a team.

“There are no wrong answers when it comes to art,” stated MDot, adding that this year’s mural will highlight the diversity and differing points of view that are a big part of independent film and help make Red Bank a distinctive, arts-focused community.

“This project is a perfect example of what the arts in Red Bank are all about – inspiring the community to unite around the arts,” concluded James Scavone, Executive Director of Red Bank RiverCenter. “The Indie Street Film Festival and the Crossing Borders Festival are both events that reach out into the community to engage them in the arts.”

The Indie Street Film Festival will return to Red Bank from July 26th through the 30th featuring more than 60 independently produced narrative, documentary and animated films, panel discussions, Q&A’s with filmmakers, live art, an interactive community mural project, a community cookout, and both live and DJ music performances. Two sets of “Jersey Shorts” showcasing the work of local filmmakers and New Jersey locations and subjects will also be featured. For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.indiestreetfilmfestival.org.

Entering its 7^th year, Two River Theater’s Crossing Borders (Cruzandon Fronteras) Festival in August will present new plays by Latino writers and includes play readings, audience discussions, a keynote address from a leader within the Latino arts community and a neighborhood kickoff party with food and live music – all free and open to the public. For more details visit www.tworivertheater.org.