This is Newark (West Ward)

  • This mural was created across from a Newark butterfly park, and the location inspired the mural’s imagery.
  • Before painting the mural, it was important to arrange the different components with tracing paper.
  • This youth transfers a sketch onto a larger piece of paper that will be used to create a stencil.
  • Creating a mural takes many steps. These two teens paint a section in multiple layers.
  • Using a paper cutout keeps an area clean when painting.
  • The completed mural is a vibrant addition to the community.

Project Description

"This is Newark (West Ward)" was part of a larger initiative in which Groundswell worked with the City of Newark to train its artists, businesses, and community organizations in our unique collaborative model. This mural was created by four youth in partnership with volunteers from the Urban League and City Without Limits. The youth were tasked to create a mural that was relevant to both the city of Newark and the butterfly garden located across the street. Using the quote by Maya Angelou that states, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty” as inspiration, the mural team designed and executed a mural featuring butterflies, flowers, and silhouettes of people of all different ages. The butterfly is used as a metaphor for the potential of the neighborhood and community to transform itself and improve its environment.

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Project Info

Location: 506 Central Avenue Newark, NY 07107
Neighborhood: 
Newark


Program: 
Community Commission


Theme: 
Community


Year: 
2010


Partner(s): 
City of Newark
City Without Walls
Urban League


Lead Artist(s):
Candice Sering


Assistant Artist(s):
Kevin Darmanie


Participants: 

 

Dorian Strickland
Kash
Tawan
Onyemache
Medium: 
Acrylic on Concrete


Dimensions: 58 x 7ft

Fun Facts

Legend Symbol
The butterfly. There are 12-15,000 species of butterflies in the world.
Fun Fact
Maya Angelou has been a poet, a civil rights activist, a dancer, a film producer, a television producer, a playwright, a film director, an author, an actress, and a professor.
Research
New Jersey was the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights in 1789.