A New Mural “Celebrating Montclair Arts”

Painting students from Montclair State’s Department of Art and Design have created yet another spirited mural for the Township of Montclair as part of the ongoing Mural Project, sponsored by the Department of Art and Design. As the fourth student mural gifted to the Township, “Celebrating Montclair Arts” depicts the lively and flourishing arts culture that the town of Montclair has nurtured and supported over the years. It was a challenge and an extremely rewarding experience for both collaborating artists, Luisa Henao and Anthony Coplan, both undergraduate Studio Art majors concentrating in Painting.

As depicted from left to right, the mural begins at the Iris Garden showing people appreciating and cultivating the beauty of the communal garden. Subsequent panels transport the viewer to the bustling streets of Montclair, where arts thrive, such as at the Montclair Art Museum, then to the various annual  festivals like the Montclair Film Festival and the community’s jazz festival, as well as the town’s diverse restaurant and culinary arts scene. 

With Montclair’s history of support for the performing arts in mind, the students worked to incorporate both its outdoor performances and indoor venues in the mural, as well as represent the acclaimed Wellmont Theater. The artwork projects a strong chromatic and linear sensibility, engaging the viewer from one panel to the next, with the intention to stimulate, intrigue, and inspire. 

Under the supervision of Art and Design professor Julie Heffernan, faculty and students collaborate to create artwork that is distinctive to the Montclair community, inspired by the township’s organizations, arts initiatives, and residents. The outdoor artwork was also created with materials that will withstand the weather and exterior elements. A mural previously created had succumbed to the inclement weather of hurricane Sandy, so meticulous preparation was taken with “Celebrating Montclair Arts” to ensure its vibrancy and longevity. 

The mural can be found at the space between Bamboo Asian Bistro and the Montclair Char Broil Diner, in the 600 block of Valley Road in the northern business district of Montclair. The Department of Art and Design Mural Project was conceived in 2010 as a partnership between College of the Arts, the Montclair Arts Council, and the Township of Montclair to promote and community arts, and gives Art and Design students the unique opportunity to practice their craft, exercise their talents, and contribute to Montclair’s vibrant arts culture.

For additional information on the Montclair Mural Project, go to: The Mural Project