TRENTON, N.J. (PBN) In an exciting development for the city’s art scene, Mercer County and the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage (MCDC&H) have announced that Artworks, the Trenton-based visual arts center, has been selected to design and install a public mural titled “Breaking Barriers”. This mural is set to visualize the power of art in connecting communities.
Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenburg expressed her excitement about the project, stating, “I’m excited the county took on this project and I am elated that Trenton artists were selected from a pool of so many talented artists who made submissions. I really hope that this will help in restoring pride in the city and showcasing the importance of the arts and those who bring the arts to the forefront in our city. Most importantly, this project calls for an updated expression of what the South Ward of Trenton truly represents. I have every faith that our chosen local artists will capture Trenton’s South Ward spirit.”
The selection process involved a ‘Call for Artists’, where professional artists and artist teams from the tri-state area (NJ, NY, CT, and PA) were invited to submit proposals for the Mercer County Cass Street Prison Mural Project (MCCSPMP). Over 50 proposals were received and reviewed by a committee comprising public art experts, arts administrators, a NJ State Prison representative, Councilwoman Jenna L. Figueroa Kettenburg, and the MCDC&H.
Artworks emerged as the top choice with their concept celebrating arts and culture in Trenton. Their proposal envisions the mural as a representation of art’s power to break down barriers, including mental, cultural, spiritual, financial, and institutional barriers.
Funding for the MCCSPMP comes from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, with administration by the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage on behalf of County Executive Dan Benson and the Mercer County Board of Commissioners.
