Join us on Monday, November 17, at 2 PM for the unveiling of TWO new public murals by interdisciplinary artist Helina Metaferia (@helina.metaferia)! RSVP here!
The City of Newark Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs (@cityofnewarknj) is proud to announce the unveiling of two new public murals by interdisciplinary artist Helina Metaferia, created in collaboration with Project for Empty Space, which served as both facilitator and host site, and Edison Properties, which provided a second host location.
The murals—located at 35 Halsey Street and 19 Edison Place—draw from Metaferia’s ongoing series “By Way of Revolution” and celebrate Newark’s rich legacy of activism while uplifting contemporary voices shaping the city today.
The murals will be unveiled on Monday, November 17, at 2:00 PM, with celebrations taking place at both locations—beginning at 35 Halsey Street and continuing to Edison Place. A shuttle between locations will be provided.
Metaferia led a Newark-based workshop for women-identifying BIPOC participants that centered on resilience, protest histories, and strategies for self and community care. From this gathering, Newark-born cousins Nashel Brantley (@nyommisjx3)and Karla Cruz (@karrla.marr) were chosen as the focal figures for the murals. Their portraits, taken by Newark-based photographer Malaika A. Muindi, are interwoven with archival materials from the city’s activist history, linking past and present movements for justice and representation. Learn more: projectforemptyspace.org/helinmetaferiamurals
Support for the workshop and public artworks comes from the City of Newark Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Newark Creative Catalyst, Edison Properties, the Newark Artist Accelerator, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (@newjerseyeda).
Images by Rachel Fawn Alban (@fawn_photos).
