Black Lives Matter Mural Unites East Orange’s Art Community

EAST ORANGE, NJ — An effort to create a Black Lives Matter mural at Manufacturers Village in East Orange is galvanizing the community and seeing some big support online.

According to Christine Romanell, one of the organizers of an online fundraising campaign for the mural, there was a tremendous response to an open call for artists that was put out last fall. Ultimately, 16 artists with East Orange roots were chosen to take part in the volunteer-led community project.

The team plans to have the mural completed this spring, and will commemorate its completion with a community dedication and celebration.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has met it’s $10,000 goal, getting support from 70 donors as of Thursday. Learn more about the campaign here.

There’s some major local history behind the location of the proposed mural. According to organizers:

“Built in the 1880’s, the Victorian industrial architecture of the Manufacturers Village factory complex was the site of the original Johnson and Johnson Corporation, then known as Seabury and Johnson. It has since transformed into a diverse community of creative makers and small businesses, and is now a nexus for artists working in a variety of creative practices including filmmaking, photography, painting, sculpture, installation and public art.”

Romanell recently offered an update on the mural’s progress.

“We are so grateful for the support that has allowed the Black Lives Matter community mural at Manufacturers Village in East Orange to not only move forward, but to blossom beyond our wildest dreams,” Romanell wrote.

“We can’t wait for the weather to shift so we can start the actual painting,” Romanell added.

MVArtists are working in partnership with the Arts Council of East Orange and Linda Street of Pink Dragon Artist Syndicate, as well as Liquitex, and Manufacturers Village LLC.

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