EPSchools
Art Students Transform City Traffic Boxes From Drab To Fab
Students from the Elizabeth Public School in grades 8-12 recently completed a beautification project on Elizabeth Avenue, painting decorative murals on Traffic Utility Boxes at seven locations throughout the district.
The project was spearheaded by the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership (EAP) the Downtown Management Corporation for the Elizabeth Special Improvement District and funded in part from an Investors Foundation Grant.
On Monday, April 30th, students painted 20 renderings onto the formerly gray and drab traffic boxes depicting the culture, history and beauty of the City of Elizabeth. As part of the project, students submitted artwork over a two-year span, which were chosen by a committee from the EAP. All in all, 11 schools were represented with about 25 students participating in the project and overseen by their art teachers. The Singer Sewing Machine Factory, Goethals Bridge, Cultural Flags, Latin Instruments, The new River Walk, the new Elizabeth River Trail, the Waterfront, Cityscape Downtowns, a Colorful Dove, Cherry Blossoms, Glass Mosaic and the Minuteman Statue were represented. Logos from the respective schools were painted on the sides of each box. A group even painted a Georgia O’Keefe inspired mural entitled, “Plug Into Spring” where the roots of a tree doubled as an extension cord being plugged into an outlet.
“Despite some rain and cold conditions the students and teachers braved the weather and really made the boxes come to life,” said David Strochak, EAP Executive Director. The talent exhibited during this project was mind blowing.”
EAP officials say this effort is a way to brighten up the community.
“I was driving around in other towns, and I noticed these signal boxes that were decorated nicely,” says EAP Vice Chairman, Emerson Amador. “I said, you know what, we need to put a plan in action to make ours prettier.”
“On behalf of Elizabeth Public Schools, I would like to thank Elizabeth Avenue Partnership and the City of Elizabeth for providing our students the opportunity to share their creativity and imagination with the community,” said Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer. “Arts education is an important component of the instruction we provide at our schools. I am excited that our students’ artwork will be displayed at various locations, revealing not only their exceptional artistic talents, but also their pride in being an Elizabethan through their unique perspective of Elizabeth culture.”
During the kickoff ceremony at Union Square Plaza, Mayor Bollwage joined representatives from the EPS and EAP to kick off this first annual Mural Project where nearly 100 entries were received over the last two years from students who were asked to depict the culture, history and beauty of the City of Elizabeth. The project was the brainchild of the EAP under then chairman Emerson Amador who wanted to bring a sense of beauty and community pride to the district through student art. Funds for the project were generated from an Investors Foundation Grant, written by EAP Executive Director Dave Strochak.
“Our City has a wonderful arts community and there are so many underutilized spaces that could serve as canvasses for artists to share their talent,” said Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “I am happy to kick off this project, as it not only showcases the history and culture of Elizabeth, but it gets our youth involved while adding a creative element to the Avenue. Congratulations to the students chosen to share their artwork.”
“This has been in the planning stages on Elizabeth Avenue for quite some time and we are so pleased to be working with the wonderful art departments at the Elizabeth Public Schools again to decorate and beautify our district,” Strochak said. We thank all of our partners and of course the Investors Foundation for this opportunity.”
The Investors Foundation, who had Vice President, Razie Dauti and Branch Manager David Miguens on hand, is dedicated to supporting creative initiatives to diverse community organizations that support Arts and Education, Health and Human Services, Youth and Affordable Housing in the communities Investors Bank serves.
“Our focus at Investors Bank is to build strong business partnerships with each community we service,” said David Miguens, Elizabeth Branch Manager. “It is not only a pleasure to help support the EAP but a necessity to be fully involved in such organizations to ensure that our towns are safe and clean and we can help educate the people who live and work in Elizabeth.”
The EAP has been operating since 1999 and is responsible for all aspects of managing the Elizabeth Avenue shopping district including, safety, security, street cleaning, parking, beautification, promotions and events.
“The Elizabeth Avenue Partnership is thrilled to welcome the students of our community into our district,” said EAP Chairman Angel Rodriguez. They have an opportunity to leave a lasting impression through their art work for the residents, merchants and shoppers on Elizabeth Avenue. We are grateful that the Art Department of the Elizabeth School District is providing the students with this great opportunity to showcase their talents for everyone to see. Congratulations to the students!”
This is the second time the EAP has worked with the EPS Art Departments, the first being the widely popular Wooden Toy Soldier Exhibit which decorated Elizabeth Avenue for the holidays.
Photos taken by Elizabeth Public Schools. Story submitted by Elizabeth Avenue Partnership.
Art Students Transform City Traffic Boxes From Drab To Fab
Students from the Elizabeth Public School in grades 8-12 recently completed a beautification project on Elizabeth Avenue, painting decorative murals on Traffic Utility Boxes at seven locations throughout the district.
The project was spearheaded by the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership (EAP) the Downtown Management Corporation for the Elizabeth Special Improvement District and funded in part from an Investors Foundation Grant.
On Monday, April 30th, students painted 20 renderings onto the formerly gray and drab traffic boxes depicting the culture, history and beauty of the City of Elizabeth. As part of the project, students submitted artwork over a two-year span, which were chosen by a committee from the EAP. All in all, 11 schools were represented with about 25 students participating in the project and overseen by their art teachers. The Singer Sewing Machine Factory, Goethals Bridge, Cultural Flags, Latin Instruments, The new River Walk, the new Elizabeth River Trail, the Waterfront, Cityscape Downtowns, a Colorful Dove, Cherry Blossoms, Glass Mosaic and the Minuteman Statue were represented. Logos from the respective schools were painted on the sides of each box. A group even painted a Georgia O’Keefe inspired mural entitled, “Plug Into Spring” where the roots of a tree doubled as an extension cord being plugged into an outlet.
“Despite some rain and cold conditions the students and teachers braved the weather and really made the boxes come to life,” said David Strochak, EAP Executive Director. The talent exhibited during this project was mind blowing.”
EAP officials say this effort is a way to brighten up the community.
“I was driving around in other towns, and I noticed these signal boxes that were decorated nicely,” says EAP Vice Chairman, Emerson Amador. “I said, you know what, we need to put a plan in action to make ours prettier.”
“On behalf of Elizabeth Public Schools, I would like to thank Elizabeth Avenue Partnership and the City of Elizabeth for providing our students the opportunity to share their creativity and imagination with the community,” said Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer. “Arts education is an important component of the instruction we provide at our schools. I am excited that our students’ artwork will be displayed at various locations, revealing not only their exceptional artistic talents, but also their pride in being an Elizabethan through their unique perspective of Elizabeth culture.”
During the kickoff ceremony at Union Square Plaza, Mayor Bollwage joined representatives from the EPS and EAP to kick off this first annual Mural Project where nearly 100 entries were received over the last two years from students who were asked to depict the culture, history and beauty of the City of Elizabeth. The project was the brainchild of the EAP under then chairman Emerson Amador who wanted to bring a sense of beauty and community pride to the district through student art. Funds for the project were generated from an Investors Foundation Grant, written by EAP Executive Director Dave Strochak.
“Our City has a wonderful arts community and there are so many underutilized spaces that could serve as canvasses for artists to share their talent,” said Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “I am happy to kick off this project, as it not only showcases the history and culture of Elizabeth, but it gets our youth involved while adding a creative element to the Avenue. Congratulations to the students chosen to share their artwork.”
“This has been in the planning stages on Elizabeth Avenue for quite some time and we are so pleased to be working with the wonderful art departments at the Elizabeth Public Schools again to decorate and beautify our district,” Strochak said. We thank all of our partners and of course the Investors Foundation for this opportunity.”
The Investors Foundation, who had Vice President, Razie Dauti and Branch Manager David Miguens on hand, is dedicated to supporting creative initiatives to diverse community organizations that support Arts and Education, Health and Human Services, Youth and Affordable Housing in the communities Investors Bank serves.
“Our focus at Investors Bank is to build strong business partnerships with each community we service,” said David Miguens, Elizabeth Branch Manager. “It is not only a pleasure to help support the EAP but a necessity to be fully involved in such organizations to ensure that our towns are safe and clean and we can help educate the people who live and work in Elizabeth.”
The EAP has been operating since 1999 and is responsible for all aspects of managing the Elizabeth Avenue shopping district including, safety, security, street cleaning, parking, beautification, promotions and events.
“The Elizabeth Avenue Partnership is thrilled to welcome the students of our community into our district,” said EAP Chairman Angel Rodriguez. They have an opportunity to leave a lasting impression through their art work for the residents, merchants and shoppers on Elizabeth Avenue. We are grateful that the Art Department of the Elizabeth School District is providing the students with this great opportunity to showcase their talents for everyone to see. Congratulations to the students!”
This is the second time the EAP has worked with the EPS Art Departments, the first being the widely popular Wooden Toy Soldier Exhibit which decorated Elizabeth Avenue for the holidays.
Photos taken by Elizabeth Public Schools. Story submitted by Elizabeth Avenue Partnership.