Among many other things – Jersey City is known for its vibrant art scene and its commitment to providing a space for local artists to flourish. Mayor Fulop, Mana Public Arts, the Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Jersey City Mural Arts Program (JCMAP) announced the first annual Jersey City Mural Festival will take place across Jersey City this June. The event aims to celebrate the vibrant public art, foster community, and benefit local small businesses affected by the pandemic. The weekend-long Jersey City Mural Festival kicks off the summer from June 5-6, 2021.
The first annual festival will feature new works by more than 50 artists and will be anchored with a new large-scale mural by celebrated artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya.
The festival will activate more than 30 walls across Jersey City, according to the press release – “highlighting the public mural art with free open areas for restaurant pop-ups and food trucks.”
The festival will take place across three main locations – Harborside, Journal Square, Hamilton Park. See here for the map.
It take place on Saturday, June 5 from 12-8 PM and Sunday, June 6 from 12-7 PM.
Featured artists include Ron English, Queen Andrea, Dragon76, Woes, Boy Kong, Jose Mertz, L’Amour Supreme, and local artists Distort, Pawn, Emilio Florentine, Clarence Rich, Will Power, Paws, Mustart, RORSHACH, Joe Waks, and more.
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“We started our Mural Arts Program seven years ago, and to be here today announcing the inaugural showcase for our esteemed public arts program is a testament to Jersey City as a known destination for international artists as well as the incredibly talented artists who live and work here,” said Mayor Fulop in a statement. “This festival aims to uplift our local businesses, while also inspiring creativity through the shared experience of public art with our first large-scale event in over a year.”
“Art has the ability to soothe grief, amplify joy, and rally people to action,” said Phingbodhipakkiya. “Stand With Us is meant to be a love letter to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in Jersey City. You are seen, you are heard, and you have allies beside you.”
Phingbodhipakkiya, a recent NYC Artist in Residence, is renowned for her multidisciplinary public artwork work that confronts Human Rights, specifically addressing the rise in anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 crisis. In her large-scale work for Jersey City Mural Festival, Phingbodhipakkiya will paint the exterior wall of 581 Monmouth Street, near the Holland Tunnel entrance. The mural will be approximately 115 feet wide by 35 feet tall and painted with carbon dioxide capturing paint, Airlite. According to the company, a 10,000 square foot section of Airlite can capture the emissions equivalent to 80-160 cars per day.
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“We believe in the power of art to unify and uplift communities,” said Mana Chief of Staff Theodore Ward. “As long-time members of the Jersey City community with Mana Contemporary, we are thrilled to inaugurate an annual tradition that underscores the importance of shared cultural experiences that also benefits Jersey City small businesses.”
“We have established Jersey City as a regional anchor for arts and culture in recent years, and an annual festival is a great way to amplify the City’s public art efforts,” said Christine Goodman, Director of Jersey City’s Department of Cultural Affairs.
The festival will offer limited edition Beer Cans with Ghosthawk Brewing, with all proceeds benefiting the NJHRA’s Beverage and Food Employee Crisis Support Fund (BFECS).
To kick off the festivities with a self-guided tour – check out our guide to some of the most amazing murals in Hoboken and Jersey City here.
