MAC Projects > Public Art

Montclair Arts Council Announces Installation of
Public Art Project in Upper Montclair Business District

Mural created by Montclair State University students tells local history tale

MONTCLAIR, NJ    What was once an ordinary walkway connecting Valley Road businesses to a parking lot in Upper Montclair is now an artful experience – and a local history lesson to boot.
A mural recently installed in a via between Bamboo Asian Bistro and Montclair Char Broil  Diner, 605 and 613 Valley Road, is the latest public art project to be completed in Montclair. The mural is the result of a collaboration formed by resident Dale Jacobs, a board member of the Montclair Arts Council who also sits on the Montclair Parking Authority.
Jacobs worked with multiple groups to complete this project, including the Montclair Arts Council, the Montclair Parking Authority, Montclair State University’s College of the Arts and private Montclair citizens. This privately funded public art project was completed and installed in late June. “It makes that walkway more interesting, people stop and look at it, think about it, read some of the poetry and hopefully it brightens their shopping experience a little bit,” said Jacobs. “To me, public art is a way to add a little more excitement, life and interest to the community.”
With input from community members, including Patricia Selden, Jane Susswein, Holly Felber and Frank Louvis, MSU graduate and undergraduate art students researched, painted and helped to install the 35-by-8 foot acrylic on canvas piece as part of a course that was specifically created for this project. The students worked under the leadership of MSU instructors and professional artists Zachary Wollard and Julie Heffernan. The artwork highlights significant aspects of local history, from the conflicts between Lenni Lenape Indians and European settlers to the role of merchant Israel “King” Crane in developing the area to the contributions of Hudson River School landscape artist George Inness. Jacobs cited this project as a great demonstration of partnership with Montclair State University, the Montclair Arts Council and the Montclair Parking Authority.
Saunders Hardware owner Tom Vultee, who contributed some of the materials and supplies used for the mural, said he has received positive feedback from his customers. “Ever since it was put up, people have come in and commented on what a lovely addition to the community it is,” Vultee said, “all very positive comments of the work that was done.”
Besides the creation of the artwork, a substantial frame to hold the canvas mural was designed by architect John Way and the frame was built and mounted by Classics Reborn, LLC, all as private donations. Private funding was provided by Bob and Bobbie Constable and the Jacobs Family Foundation. A special thank you goes out to 605 Valley Road building owner Vanick Property Corp. for their permission to use the building wall.
Plans are under way for a formal unveiling in September.

MAC/BID Windows Project

Wondering what the enormous photographs of human hands hanging in the old Screening Zone building on Bloomfield Avenue are about? The installation of images from “The Manual Project” by artist Bill Westheimer at 544 Bloomfield Ave., a vacant commercial building most recently occupied by a lighting store, is the first completed storefront of the MAC/BID Windows Project.

The Montclair Arts Council (MAC) and the Montclair Center Corp. Business Improvement District (BID) are co-sponsors of the Windows Project. The purpose of the project is to provide artists with an opportunity to temporarily display their artwork in vacant retail spaces in the central business district of Montclair. In return, the overall look of the downtown is improved when these otherwise empty storefronts become highly-visible art exhibits.  

“Taking what could be a potential eyesore and turning it into something beautiful while giving an artist the opportunity to exhibit their work is one of the best win-win situations we could hope for,” said Jim Peskin, executive director of the Montclair Arts Council.

Tom Lonergan, executive director of the Montclair BID, agrees. “In addition to providing invaluable exposure for the pieces and their creators,” Lonergan said, “the Windows Project is intended to help energize the street, keep properties secure and maintain community spirit.”

The four hand portraits from Bill Westheimer’s series displayed at 544 Bloomfield Ave. include: “Portrait of Orestes Gialanella,” who was a butcher in Newark for 45 years and lives in Bloomfield, N.J.; “Portrait of John Lewis,” a tattoo artist in New York City; “Portrait of Dorothy Godlewski,” who was a teacher in Rutherford, N.J. for 45 years and is now retired and lives in Essex Fells; and “Portrait of Janet Taylor Pickett,” a retired art teacher who is now is a full-time artist living in Montclair.

“These images of hands reflect the personality and the life of the subject. Lifestyle, work habits and sensitivity are revealed. Without the distraction of faces these images of hands are absolutely honest and deeply perceptive portraits,” explains Westheimer, a resident of West Orange, on www.manualproject.com. For more information on Bill Westheimer, visit www.billwest.com.


The Montclair Arts Council is pleased to announce the grand unveiling of Montclair’s newest public art –  local artist Charlie Spademan’s entrance doors and railings artwork at the new BangZ Salon and Wellness Spa on South Fullerton Avenue. The work, “Masonic Order, Redrawn,” is entirely hand forged from iron in an intricate vine and leaf pattern. The unveiling will take place Sunday, October 4, 3-7p.m. at BangZ during the salon’s grand opening celebrations.

A reception, entertainment and tours of the new Salon & wellness Spa will
follow the unveiling. Click here for invitation