Trenton365: Trenton Mural Arts Paint Day Summary

Trenton Mural Arts

Apr 2011

The mural paint day was awesome! Big up to everyone who helped to make the day complete. The paint by numbers idea was perfect. Small children to older adults took part. Several of the "350" where in attendance.

The site at the Home Rubber factory near the McDonald's on

Cass Street

will become a sort of "Welcome to Trenton".

Once again thank you to Taneshia Laird, Candice Fredericks and Phil DeRose and others who have worked long hours on this project and are dedicated to making Trenton thrive; they indeed are part of the 350!

The Trenton Mural Arts project is collaboration with Artworks, Trenton Downtown Assoc., Destination Trenton, City of Trenton and Princeton University.

http://www.artworkstrenton.org%20http//www.trenton-downtown.com http://www.trenton-downtown.com

http://www.nj.gov/ccrc

http://www.destinationtrenton.com/

www.princeton.edu/arts

http://www.trentonnj.org/

Jane Golden who is the creator of the mural arts program in Philadelphia is one of the many driving forces behind the expansion into Trenton. She is also an instructor at Princeton University. Jane had many positive things to say, however she diverted attention from herself and put it onto the project, the artist and what the program has the ability to do. “Students can change the world!” Jane has a way of motivating you with very few words.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Golden

Noliwe Rooks who is the Associate Director at Princeton University’s Center for African American Studies is the other. Noliwe who is consistently quiet about her role brings a wonderful spirit to the project, and several years of dedication to make this happen. http://www.princeton.edu/africanamericanstudies

The artist is Philip Adams who has been with the Philadelphia Mural arts program for several years, and has led several murals. He mentioned that he has travelled to and stayed in Trenton on several occasions over the last 7 years and is excited about the project and to be here. Kudos to Philip! Several of Philips projects incorporate different mediums such as stained glass, the murals are interactive.

http://www.phillipadams.net/

In my first breakout session thoughts came to mind of the space being organic, something that would be a “welcome sign” to travelers coming into Trenton via 129 and the Riverline. The site has several issues because of the proximity to the highway, from some angles the view may be obstructed by things such as safety fencing, commercial multi story billboards and the fact that the mural will be on several buildings that are different heights.

In closing the mural will continue to evolve at the hands of the artist Philip. I have nothing but the highest expectations about the finished project and will indeed enjoy the dedication!

Remember that this is the beginning, and you can and should be apart of the future!

As always thank you for visiting. Share this with friends, make some suggestions about people, places or services and I will check them out.

Remember this is only the beginning of the project, drive by and take a look and see the progress.