Public Art in the Heights
View Public Art in the Jersey City Heights in a larger map
Public art - love it or hate, it if it starts a conversation and captures one’s imagination it has fulfilled its purpose. Given Jersey City's thriving art community, public displays of artistic talent are seen all over the Heights. From the statues at Leonard Gordon Park to the decorated utility boxes on Central Avenue, a simple stroll through the Heights can turn into a wonderful cultural experience. The map you find here identifies the locations of public art in the Jersey City Heights. Please check back soon as more public art is added to this inventory. Do you have a suggestion to be included here? Email it to us.
Arts District In the Jersey City Heights
The Heights neighborhood of Jersey City welcomes artists. The Heights now has an arts district known as the "Riverview Arts District" (RAD) attracting the attention of many New York City Artists looking for accommodating housing options.
On February 27, 2013, a city zoning amendment was approved to create an Artist Overlay Zone covering a large portion of the eastern Heights and allows artist to have studios or work/ live units within the District.
Artists can have an "artist studio workspace" to make their art or sell it as an accessory use to the studio; they can also have a work/live artist studio defined as "a single, enclosed, private space of 900 sq. ft or more, where at least one-half of the total space is devoted to work space for the creation, display and sale of art, and the remainder is used for living purposes..."
Learn More
Murals
Besides being a great place to shop, Central Avenue in the Heights offers an outdoor gallery of artistic expression. Artists from the community were commissioned to paint murals on a select hand full of the exposed building walls.
Splashes of color create an amazing mural on the corner of Lincoln and Central (pictured right). This mural has colorful cityscape and eye-catching depiction of a globe. This mural, along with others on Central, are not only beautiful but they also bring a sense of pride to Jersey City and build community spirit.
Click here for more JC Heights Murals
Central Avenue "Streetscapes" Beautification Art Project
The "Streetscapes" Beautification Art Project is an artistic way to beautify the Heights. A stroll down Central Avenue is needed to fully appreciate the awe inspiring transformations of the City's utility boxes. Each of the seven located at the traffic lights on Central Ave and its cross streets, where done by artists from the community. Each artist used his or her creativity to change the visual interpretation of the boxes. Pictured here, artist E. Jan Kounitz stands with producer Ricardo (Kari Signs) next to their
"It Ain't Arles" work of art. This work is a photograph of a large sunflower that grew right here in the JC Heights on Mountain Road adjacent to the Palisade Cliffs. This is just one of the seven amazing transformations that have to be seen to be believed.
"Streetscapes" Beautification Art Project
Flowers Never Die
In November 2011, the Central Avenue SID commissioned Heights' artists Richard LaRovere and Megan Gulick to participate in the "Flowers Never Die" project. The project involved Gulick and LaRovere painting colorful flowers on the bases of Central Avenue's close circuit tv camera poles. Seven poles in all were painted (four by LaRovere and three by Gulick). The seven installations will add color and verve to the Avenue all year long. Keep your eyes peeled at Central Avenue intersections for these beautiful additions! Check out CASID's Flickr page for more photos.
Sculptures
Several historic art sculptures and some new are located in the Heights' section of Jersey City. You just have to know where to look to find them: Washington Park, Lenoard J. Gordan Park, and Pershing Field to name a few locations.
One example, the "Wave" (pictured right) is located in Hudson County's Washington Park at the intersection of Central Avenue and Paterson Plank Road. Created by noted artist Chakaia Booker, a Jersey native, the brushed stainless steel sculpture piece stands 14 feet high and 35 feet wide.
Click here for more JC Heights Sculptures
Central Avenue Storefront Window Art Exhibits
For art collectors who love to window shop, Central Avenue has something you need to see. In conjunction with Jersey City Pro Arts and the Heights Art Initiative, the CASID is connecting local artists with Central Avenue commercial property owners to display art work in storefront windows. The program's first exhibit displays art work by E. Jan Kounitz at 311 Central Avenue. While the property owner is searching for a new commercial tenant for this location, it only seem natural that positive attention be brought to the vacancy via a well placed art exhibit. These kind of art displays are temporary so be sure to visit and enjoy as soon as possible. Artists or property/ business owners who wishes to participate in future events should contact JC Pro Arts or email the CASID. More storefront art exhibits to come in the near future.