Four Corners Public Arts and Urban Agriculture Cooperative hosted the second iteration of  Murals | Market | Music on Saturday, July 10th from 10 am - 5 pm at Treat Place in Newark. 

With the support of Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the City of Newark’s Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver, this immersive market space was developed to create a space for commerce, boosting the visibility of nearby businesses, elevating and empowering local creative initiatives, and bringing residents and returning commuters together to celebrate and activate downtown Newark. 

The partnering organizations, artists, and participating vendors all create with the community in mind. From food justice to urban farming, to social justice-focused arts organizations and musicians, this cohort of collaborators seeks to bring a program that is driven by intention and service.

Each event features a partnership with a local arts organization. On Saturday, July 10th ImVisible Newark presented We Are Home. ImVisible Newark is a collective developed to empower the undocumented and immigrant community in Newark through multimedia storytelling and advocacy. It was founded in 2018 as a peer-led initiative between Rutgers University Scholars, faculty, and community-based artists. ImVisible Newark creates safe spaces to explore and heal immigrant narratives through art and open dialogue. We Are Home is an intervention that is the culmination of a year of open community dialogue, the development of a free poster series, and intensive planning for a mural that will be completed in the summer of 2021. “This intervention demands a safe space to celebrate the culture, arts, and creativity of the intersectional immigrant communities of Newark. Join us in loudly saying WE ARE HOME!” - ImVisible co-founders and local artists Yeimy Gamez Castillo and Layqa Nuna Yawar.

“Being ‘A Fair and Welcoming City’ is an intrinsic part of our history,” said Mayor Baraka. “The City of Newark embraces our immigrant and undocumented communities and the Murals | Market | Music cultural event highlights our diversity as a source of strength. I encourage residents and visitors to come out and enjoy this event, and celebrate being back together again.”

The day presented a robust schedule of events and activities. Artists Adina Farinango, Amrisa Niranjan, Diana Candelejo, and Sally Helmi, who worked in collaboration with designer Nadya Andrianova, previewed posters that will be distributed directly to Newark’s immigrant communities. These artworks emphasize immigrant visibility and resilience, as well as highlight local resources for the migrant and undocumented communities. 

The Newark StoryBus joined us for its inaugural outing. Created by Newest Americans, in collaboration with Talking Eyes Media, it collected portraits and voices of local residents who revealed Newark as a global city. Covered in the vibrant designs of artists Gera Luz and Werc, the bus celebrates our diverse cultural heritage. Visitors could step onboard, have their portraits made, record their stories, and leave with a photographic print. 

Alongside these activations, various essential resources and information will be made available. The City of Newark will provide a vaccination station for any residents who seek to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccination or for those who would like to receive a free vaccine onsite. 

The marketplace, organized by Urban Agriculture Cooperative, will feature fresh vegetables, fruits, bread, and honey from Newark and New Jersey-based farms.  Ironbound Community Corporation’s Down Bottom Farms will join with their Housing Justice team, and Rabbit Hole Farm, an herb and tea-blend purveyor with a vibrant community garden in Newark’s South Ward, will hold an early morning yoga session. Alongside the market, a mutual aid initiative will launch, called Support a Family and a Farmer. This will give visitors the opportunity to extend fresh, locally-grown, healthy food to Newark families-in-need for just $15 a household. “Newark has productive, community-owned farms right within city limits.  We are so excited to help share their bounty. These local efforts build our sovereignty and resilience!  There's so much more work to be done.  Murals | Market | Music gives us a chance to celebrate and honor the work that is happening right now.” - Urban Agriculture Cooperative Co-founder, Jamie Bruno.

Visitors to the market enjoyed a late morning Zumba Workshop hosted by Susan Ramirez. A plethora of artist-made objects and goods were for sale. Newcomers to the market included artworks by Patricia Patzi Rueda, Diana Candelejo, and Diegumberrto, totes, and handbags by Darlene Brown, fashion and design by The Love Dimension, and handmade basketry by Kelly Villalba, among others. Bilingual reading opportunities and author talks were led by Source of Knowledge, the Newark Public Library, and Para Kids throughout the day. Para Kids hosted an arts and crafts table for children. Performances and poetry celebrating migration and diaspora were scheduled throughout the day by Audry Funk, Freewil, Janetza Miranda, Patricia Cortado, Umar Farooq, Cisco Fresco, YEIMY, a DJ set by Shell Spin, and more!

The July 10th program was made possible by The City of Newark’s Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs, Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver, The Four Corners Public Arts Partnership and Sponsors, Urban Agriculture Cooperative, ImVisible Newark, the Newest Americans and Talking Eyes Media, Newark Arts, and the Love Your Block Grant.