14 murals transform Downtown Newark in first phase of public arts project (slideshow)

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Four Corners Public Arts’ partners, supporters, artists and Newark residents recently celebrated the conclusion of the initiatives’ first phase, announced in July — a series of 14 murals that have transformed facades and surfaces on Treat Place and Beaver Street in the Downtown District.

The multi-phase project is a public-private partnership between real estate investment firm Paramount Assets, developer RBH Group, the City of Newark via Invest Newark, the Newark Downtown District and Newark Arts.

“Arts and culture make considerable and necessary contributions to the well-being of communities,” said Richard Dunn, Paramount Assets’ senior vice president. “It’s been extremely gratifying to see this downtown area come to life with the completion of the project’s initial phase. This collaborative endeavor is a win-win for the artists, city residents and businesses alike.”

The Four Corners Public Arts project advocates for public arts initiatives in and surrounding Broad and Market Streets. The partnership evolved out of a common interest to renew blighted areas of Newark through the arts, with the goal of cultivating creative communal space for all.

The initiative will also help mitigate the growing pains associated with development in progress, or construction zones. The first phase was curated by Rebecca Pauline Jampol, co-director of Project for Empty Space and visiting professor at Rutgers University-Newark.

The murals – which share messages of equity and impact – were inspired by the history of Newark, with participating artists responding to site-specific themes. More information about each mural and the first phase artists can be found at the Four Corners website.