Public Art
The Springfield Avenue Partnership Public Art Initiative is working to bring art and visual interest to Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, NJ. We are working to bring more murals to buildings and decorate the utility boxes along the avenue. Over time we plan to bring additional art projects to the avenue in order to attract area residents to enjoy all that Springfield Avenue has to offer: food, retail shops, service businesses, cultural events, and more!
“Public art provides the challenge of new perspective… The creator confronts individuals with a new way to experience the world. He can show the world not only as it is but also as it can be. Public art empowers people with new outlook.”
"Many Hands Make Light Work"
by Elijah Minton - 1978 Springfield Avenue
Working with the theme "Our Community Looking Forward," Elijah used his memories and experiences working in Maplewood as a young teen as inspiration. He was struck by the diversity of the community and, just as much, by how the community works together to lift all people of all backgrounds and races to a better future. Known as the Art Alchemist, Elijah’s goal is to paint as big as possible and inspire others to chase their dreams along the way.
"I Am Maplewood"
by Michael David Adams and VIktorija Bowers Adams - 1883 Springfield Avenue
Michael David Adams and Viktorija Bowers Adams are a husband and wife creative team living in Maplewood with their daughter. They created the mural “I am Maplewood" as a love letter to Maplewood and its people. The focal point of the piece is a “main character” or face, which is a collage comprised of many multi-cultural faces representing the diversity of people, ideas, thoughts, and activities that can be found in Maplewood. The mural highlights physical elements from the town.
"Won't You Be My Neighbor"
by Brian McGowan - 1859 Springfield Avenue
When artist Brian McGowan first moved to Maplewood, he found a place where the benefits of city and suburb exist simultaneously. His mural seeks to translate the abundant sense of community and camaraderie in Maplewood into a welcoming and joyful mural. The bold and colorful characters are very different from each other, yet very much alike, alluding to the idea that they are a community of beings eager to immerse themselves in each other’s cultures. A self-taught artist, Brian creates art because it provides him with a transformative space in which he can play with ideas. His goal is to invite the viewer to play in this space as well.
"Firetruck"
by Vitaly Umansky - 249 Boyden Avenue
Vitaly Umansky wanted to create a mural that looks modern and also addresses the theme of safety and community. He decided to go to the core of any community: family. Since the location is a fire station, he incorporated a firetruck into the main design. It became a toy fire engine painted in the size of the fire engine used by the station, but we see a child’s hand playing with it and an adult hand gently helping from behind. A child playing with a helpful adult nearby is a basic sense of safety that is relatable in any community. To create the modern visual look, Vitaly broke the image into segments of color, as if it is a mosaic or overplayed with photo filters. The color rectangles not only to make the image more dynamic and colorful but also represent the rich diversity of Maplewood.
"Nest and Flight"
by Roberta Melzl - Hilton Branch Library, 1688 Springfield Avenue
Roberta Melzl’s mural represents neighborhood, community, and growth. The nest is a reference to community and home. Like a library, a nest is a place that fosters growth and learning. The origami birds represent the surrounding community and are also a reference to projects offered at a library. The golden egg alludes to growth, evolution, and rejuvenation and is a symbol used in many children’s stories. The piece is created from an accumulation of sources, built to form a multi-perspective and reshaping of real-world imagery.
