Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken’s Division of Cultural Affairs today unveiled the design for the 7th & Jackson Community Mural, a new public art piece that pays tribute to the people, culture, and history of Hoboken’s west side. The mural, spanning 2,025 square feet along the eastern fence of the 7th & Jackson Resiliency Park, is being created in collaboration with local youth and community members, under the guidance of professional artists from local business Mural Painter Inc. founded by Emily Strauss.
The mural, commissioned by the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee and funded by the City’s Public Art Trust Fund, integrates photos submitted by west side residents alongside historic images provided by the Hoboken Historical Museum. The final composition was designed by Aaron Martin, artist with Mural Painter Inc., and reflects the spirit of the neighborhood through scenes of everyday life and native Hudson County flora.
“The final design for the 7th & Jackson Community Mural is a powerful reflection of Hoboken’s west side including its families, its history, and its deep community roots,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Thanks to the creativity of our youth, the vision of our local artists, and the participation of our residents, this mural will be a lasting tribute to some of the people who make Hoboken so special. I look forward to joining the community for the unveiling this fall as we celebrate this new addition to our public art collection.”
Students who participated in the Mural Arts Workshops, a summer program organized by the City’s Division of Cultural Affairs, learned painting techniques from Mural Painter Inc. teaching artists at the Damon Murray Community Gym, adjacent to the mural site.
Children who participated in the mural workshops are invited to assist in painting the mural over the next several weeks starting on Aug. 18, once the design has been outlined. Additional community members interested in painting can contact Zack Olsen at zolsen@hobokennj.gov to reserve a time slot.
This project is part of a broader initiative to bring public art to Hoboken as part of the Public Art Master Plan, through the Public Art Trust Fund, which was established by executive order in 2018 by Mayor Bhalla.
For more information on the initiative, go to https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/public-art-master-plan.
