DEDICATION
OF NEWARK PUBLIC ART PROGRAM MURAL “EMANCIPATION OF MUSIC” IN LINCOLN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD
May 10, 2013
PRESS RELEASE
Newark Central Ward Council Member Darrin Sharif
and Deputy Mayor of Economic and Housing Development Adam Zipkin joined with dignitaries
from Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District and Rutgers University to dedicate an
outdoor mural on Friday at the South Presbyterian Church Façade located at 1033
Broad Street at Lincoln Park.
The mural entitled “Emancipation of Music” was
produced by the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Rutgers University,
Integrity House, the Newark Public Art Program and Yendor Arts with lead artist
Armisey Smith and supporting artist Malik Whitaker and students from Rutgers
University. The mural was painted onto the side of a residential building
operated by Integrity House. The mural will complement Lincoln Park Coast
Cultural District’s transformation of The Façade, a historic eight-story high
Greek Revival blue sandstone facade on a half-acre site, into a 615 person
outdoor performance venue and urban farm to become the center of the emerging
artist movement in Newark and the cultural revitalization efforts in Lincoln
Park. The mural also marks the first collaboration between the Newark Public
Art Program and Rutgers University in which the mural was attached to an
undergraduate American Studies course entitled “Murals, Street Art &
Graffiti: Power and Public Art in Contemporary Urban America,” and the mural
was designed with the help of Rutgers students enrolled in the course.
The mural’s theme is the history and
contemporary culture of the Lincoln Park neighborhood, epitomized by African
American music. The Lincoln Park area, once referred to as the Barbary Coast, was
an African American business district that became a hub for jazz clubs and
nightlife. “When people think of the
hottest cities of the Jazz Age and Swing Era, New York, Nashville, New Orleans,
Memphis, Kansas City, and Chicago immediately spring to mind. But Newark, New
Jersey was just as happening as each of these towns. On any given evening, you
could listen to a legendary singer like Sarah Vaughn or laugh at the celebrated
comedy of Red Foxx. Newark was a veritable maze of theaters, clubs, and
after-hours joints where people like to have a good time. Many entertainment
careers were launched in the City of Newark” (from the book “Swing City: Newark
Nightlife 1925-1950” by Barbara Kukla.) Lincoln Park is now home to the Lincoln
Park Music Festival, which attracts over 50,000 visitors and is one of Newark’s
largest cultural events. The Festival has been a driving force in the
revitalization of the Lincoln Park neighborhood, which is becoming a thriving
area for arts and culture.
The mural celebrates Lincoln Park’s past and
present by featuring images of a choir, musician Billie Holiday, who performed
in Newark and of Sarah Vaughn and James Moody, who were from Newark and began
their career here. The mural includes an image of a blues player to represent
that genre and an image of a disc jockey (DJ) to represent the music genres of
House and Hip-Hop which are the mainstays of the Lincoln Park Music Festival.
The mural also depicts images referring to Africa and to slavery, a reference
not only to African American people but specifically to the South Presbyterian
Church which was once an abolitionist church.
“By far the most gratifying part of my job is
having the privilege of working with so many incredible residents and
community-based organizations. Newark’s greatest strength lies in its diversity,
and its ability to create partnerships that change the community in profound
and lasting ways. The Newark Public Art Program is one such partnership.”
Councilman Darrin Sharif said. “The
beautiful mural that we are celebrating today is the result of a partnership
between an incredibly talented group of stakeholders. This mural represents yet
another important investment in a neighborhood that has transformed this part
of the Central Ward.”
The final artwork was developed collaboratively
with input from the partnering organizations, Rutgers students, a community
meeting where residents and other stakeholders attended and the Newark
Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, which had to approve the design
of the mural because it is in a Historic District.
The mural is one of twenty that have been
completed over the last four years by the Newark Public Art Program in
partnership with City Without Walls, Groundswell Community Mural Project and
Yendor Arts. Each mural is produced by professional artists and Newark youth
from designs developed in collaboration with community-based organizations and
residents. Each mural takes a specific approach to the theme “THIS IS NEWARK,”
highlighting the landmarks, history, and spirit of the City’s neighborhoods.
Organizations and property owners that offer wall space participate in the
design and must agree to maintain the artwork for 10 years.
“The Newark Public Art Program is not just
about beautiful works of art but about collaborative partnerships that
strengthen communities. The beauty of this public piece of art and the message
behind it is a reflection of the richness of a partnership that brought many
different voices into one song. Newark’s healthy growth and development is
predicated on strong partnerships. This mural will contribute to the vitality
and regional appeal of the Lincoln Park neighborhood for many years to come and
it will be a constant reminder of the what is possible when community
stakeholders come together to improve their neighborhoods” Deputy Mayor Zipkin
said.
The
Newark Public Art Program is an initiative of the Newark Planning Office to create public works of art
and design that manifest the spirit and pride of Newark in its public spaces.
It aims to bring public art and design into each of Newark’s neighborhoods,
cultivating civic and community pride, bringing unexpected visual pleasure to
the urban landscape, empowering residents and other stakeholders, and
connecting Newark’s youth to community-based artists.
“This is a great community story on creative
place making. Through our collaborative
efforts, we capitalized on our local assets, inspiration and potential. Ultimately, creating a good public space
that promotes health, happiness and well being.” Anthony Smith, Director of
Communications and Community Affairs for Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District.
“Rutgers-Newark is truly thrilled to partner on
this initiative and introduce our students to the phenomenal talent and
leadership within our city, the rich history and heritage of Lincoln Park and
tenets of community organizing that center on the many assets and resources
within Newark. Because of this project,
our students are more committed to Newark’s success and, with deep pride, see
themselves as part of the city’s fabric” said Maren Greathouse, Director of the
Rutgers LGBTQ and Diversity Resource Center.
“We are pleased to partner with the City of
Newark, LPCCD, Rutgers Newark, Yendor and all of the community
stakeholders. We’ve been in the area
since 1968. This is a step in the right
direction as we collectively restore our community” said Robert Budsock,
President & CEO of Integrity House.
