In observance of National Arts and Humanities Month, as well as Jersey Arts Month, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation invites people to see public art and online programming available for free in Bergen County. The Foundation’s ArtsBergen initiative created a list of free public art and also online movies it produced for people to enjoy.In addition, a digital project joins the illustrious list.
The Foundation’s ArtsBergen initiative, a regional arts alliance, works with a range of stakeholders. These stakeholders encompass artists, and arts organizations, as well as businesses and municipal leaders. Furthermore, these stakeholders use the arts to shape the social, physical, cultural, and economic identity of communities. Creative placemaking, a community-led, arts-driven approach, is used to increase vibrancy, spur economic development, and build capacity among residents to take ownership of their communities.
ArtsBergen is the only initiative in Bergen County, New Jersey offering a range of services in creative placemaking. The initiative partners with multiple municipalities facilitating creative teams, developing public art and creative placemaking plans. In addition, ArtsBergen directs and manages public art projects to preserve and express community culture.
Free Public Art in Englewood
The Black Women’s Mural in Englewood
Women’s Rights Information Center, 108 Palisade Avenue, Englewood
The mural, painted by artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, celebrates Black women’s voices, raises awareness about Black suffragists, and also encourages civil discourse within the community. Leaders shown in the mural include suffragist Ida B. Wells; Dr. Josie Carter, an original member of the Women’s Rights Information Center’s board of directors; and activists protesting segregation at the city’s Lincoln Elementary School. Other community members shown are Hali Cooper, an Englewood resident, who walked in the Black Lives Matter march, as well as Kia S. Thornton Miller and her daughter Toni Michelle Miller, who come from a long family line of Englewood residents.
Beyond the Wall provides more details about the local heroes honored in the mural.
Beyond the Wall: Digital Project
Beyond the Wall, a website illuminating the history and stories behind the Black Women’s Mural, celebrates and honors the efforts of the past and the current women from Englewood continuing the movement. The site provides a rich resource about the history of the fight for women’s right to vote, the role of Black suffragists, as well as the stories of modern-day, local women, who took the baton passed to them by stalwart trailblazers of the past advocating for equality.
Free Public Art in Hackensack
Another example of free public art, Luminous Passage: Night Migration
Luminous Passage: Night Migration
210 Main Street alleyway, Hackensack
See this stunning projection artwork created by artist Ann LePore. The site-specific light installation is based in data visualization inspired by the migratory bird species that travel through the Hackensack River watershed. Visit the site after dark to experience the full magical illumination! Furthermore, this new public art was commissioned by the Hackensack Main Street Alliance in partnership with NNJCF’s ArtsBergen.
Artist Amrisa Niranjan joins NNJCF’s Executive Director Leonardo Vazquez, in front of the Community Mural.
Community Mural
Johnson Public Library, 274 Main Street, Hackensack
At the opening of the Seed Library at the Johnson Public Library in Hackensack, the Community Mural was installed! The NNJCF commissioned artist Amrisa Niranjan to design and also to paint the Community Mural. In addition, she worked with volunteers to paint the mural at Hackensack High School on June 1, 2024 at ‘Boost the Block’. The Foundation and Greater Bergen Community Action produced this fun event.
The Sack Mural
The Sack Mural
135 Main Street at the corner of Demarest Place in Hackensack
The mural, created by artist Damien Mitchell, presents the municipality’s rich history with a postcard of Hackensack. The postcard also reflects the city’s unique cultural assets.
Free Public Art Blends with the Environment in Hackensack
Artist Suzi Gerace with the bird bath
Community Rain Garden Art
Hackensack High School’s entrance at First Street
The Community Rain Garden located at Hackensack High School is a keystone project of the NNJCF’s Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice initiative. This garden serves several purposes — absorbing stormwater in an area prone to floods and helping students learn about the local environment and sustainability. Furthermore, this project adds natural beauty to the area. The garden features public art, such as painted birdhouses, insect houses, and a bird bath. The art was created by Suzi Gerace of Dream Makers Art Studio & Gallery, in partnership with support from the High School’s arts and woodshop teachers. The free public art adds even more beauty and interest to the colorful garden abloom with flowers and plants designed and installed by Dave Chalek of Sprout Farms & Gardens.
Utility Art Box
Utility ARTBoxes
Found at various locations along Main Street in Hackensack
Anti-littering messages were painted on utility boxes on Main Street. Several artists painted the anti-littering themes on the boxes. These artists include Monica Chavarria, Lawrence Ciarallo, Tai Hwa Goh, and also Jonathan Houssou. Additional artists were Marcus Story, John Newcomb, Poramit Thantapalit, and Kenneth Ziobro.
Free Public Art in New Milford
Art Takes the Bench in New Milford
Locations: Hardcastle Pond, New Milford Public Library
The NNJCF’s ArtsBergen partnered with the Borough of New Milford on this project to beautify the community by incorporating public art into open spaces. Artists Emily Gilman Beezley, Fiona Clark and Shani created and painted the design for each bench using themes selected by the borough’s residents.
This project follows the NNJCF’s focus area to create Places of Belonging and Opportunity and provide access for visually challenged people also to participate in more inclusive communities. Furthermore, plaques in Braille were installed on the benches for visually challenged individuals to read about this free public art.
Free Public Art in Oradell
Where’s Wally?, a free art work in Oradell
Where’s Wally?’ Ground Mural
622 Oradell Avenue in Oradell at the intersection of Oradell Avenue and Kinderkamack Road
This public art honors the late Oradell native and also NASA astronaut Walter Schirra. Local artist Nina Tsur designed the artwork. The ‘Where’s Wally’ art appears on the park’s sidewalks leading to the gazebo. Furthermore, this art presents the community’s shared vision of exploration and space.
Free Movies
“Stories on Main”
Watch the inspiring docuseries about immigrant business owners in Hackensack. Award-winning filmmaker and also producer Dana Glazer filmed the movies. Entrepreneurs featured in the film include Aida Yungasaca, owner of Colombian Fashion LLC, as well as Nelfita Rodas, owner of the Colombia Bakery Factory. Domenico Daniele from Coffee Break was also interviewed. In addition, Glazer interviewed Yusef and Tess Ural, previous owners of El Turco Restaurant. View the docuseries for free online.
For more information about the public art, contact nnjcf@nnjcf.org or call 201-568-5608.
