Jersey City Mural Festival Recap

Marino's mural proposal

The proposed mural designs for Marino’s Pizza aim to significantly enhance the visual appeal of the property by incorporating fresh, organic, and community-focused elements. Here's a description of how these murals transform both the building and the shed:

Main Building Mural Design:

• Tomato Vine Theme: This central theme showcases ripe, vibrant tomatoes in various stages of growth, symbolizing the fresh, high-quality ingredients that Marino’s Pizza is known for. The vine's design adds dynamic visual movement to the facade, allowing it to grow naturally across the building.
• Bold, Natural Colors: Deep reds, greens, and oranges, standing out against the neutral brick facade, breathe life into the building, making it an eye-catching landmark.
• Full-Facade Integration: The mural design flows organically along the architecture, without overwhelming the structure. The vine motif moves across the top and sides of the building, creating a cohesive, flowing artwork.
• Brand Identity: The mural includes a stylized tomato prominently displayed above the entrance, tying the visual identity of the mural to the restaurant’s brand.

How the Mural Transforms the Building:

• Aesthetic Transformation: The previously unadorned brick exterior becomes a vibrant, engaging mural that draws attention to Marino’s Pizza, both for its visual appeal and its reflection of the restaurant’s dedication to fresh, local ingredients.
• Cultural and Community Connection: The mural fosters a sense of place and purpose, with the imagery of the tomato vines connecting directly to the restaurant’s offerings while symbolizing growth and care for the community.

Shed Mural Design:

• Continuation of Theme: The shed continues the vibrant tomato vine theme, ensuring cohesion between the building and the shed, creating a unified artistic look across the entire property.
• Local Pride: The shed’s door features an outline of the state of New Jersey with a heart marking Runnemede, emphasizing the restaurant’s roots in the local community and its connection to the state.
• Transformation of Space: Previously plain and functional, the shed becomes an engaging and artful feature of the property, with bold colors and designs making it stand out in its own right.

Together, these designs reflect Marino’s Pizza’s commitment to both quality food and its role in the Runnemede community. By transforming the building and shed with these engaging murals, Marino’s Pizza becomes not only a local business but also a visual and cultural landmark

Proposed Mural for Phasal

The mural depicted on the building represents the phases of growth, nature, and renewal, which aligns with the theme of "Phasal," meaning "first harvest" in Hindi. The symbolism within the mural incorporates several elements:

1. The Rabbit: Positioned prominently in the mural, the rabbit is white, symbolizing curiosity and adventure, and is a reference to "Alice in Wonderland." This emphasizes the concept of exploring new possibilities and engaging in transformative journeys—an apt metaphor for the role of the business in the community.

2. The Owl: Representing wisdom, the owl sits calmly amidst the foliage. It brings a message of insight and foresight, highlighting the thoughtful approach of the business toward the community and its operations.

3. The Stag: A powerful figure in the background, the stag symbolizes strength and leadership. Its presence mirrors the stability and strong foundations the business aims to establish within the community.

4. Wheat and Foliage: Surrounding these central figures are elements of growth—such as wheat and flowing plants—symbolizing abundance, nourishment, and a connection to the earth. This serves as a metaphor for the business’s role in supporting the community's growth and sustenance.

The transformation of the building through this mural is significant. The addition of this vibrant, nature-inspired artwork brings life and movement to the previously monochromatic exterior, making the building not just a place of business but a landmark within the community.

 It reflects themes of harmony with nature, the potential for growth, and the richness of local culture, inviting community members to engage with and feel proud of the space. 

The mural will also help foster a sense of belonging and shared identity by involving local residents in the mural's creation, promoting collaboration, and celebrating the community's journey towards development and renewal

 

Meet SpinCo

Reimagine Runnemede is very excited to partner with SpinCo for our Spring Equinox.

Details here: Spring Equinox Celebration, March 20, 2023

Morris Arts Building Community Through the Arts

Reimagine Runnemed President, J. Kenneth Leap, is proud to be associated with Morris Arts through their Teaching Artist Program which brings artists into schools for short-term residencies.

Art or Ad? L.A.'s Mural Law Written in Gray Ink

What are your thoughts about murals in Runnemede?

Artist in the Park - May 21 (rain date May 22)

 

Here's a video from our event last fall

Art in Public Places Program Collection Overview

This is a good short introduction to Public Art. Who, What, When, Where, & Why.

Trash can for Park Trail Head

 

RLP Signage Mock-up

 

Inspiration: Creative Placemaking

Trail Restoration @ Runnemede Lake Park

We're beginning a Trail Restoration Initiative at Runnemede Lake Park. What you've never heard of it? No, it's not at Green Acres. Take a look:

Runnemede Lake Park hand-drawn map 1965

Here are a few images captured from a set of slides taken by William Leap sometime around 1965 of Hirsh Lake and the newly dedicated Runnemede Lake.

Did you know? Over 1,000 Runnemede residents signed a petition to save a special tract of land from a developer and preserve it as “a place of public resort and recreation in perpetuity.” The year was 1965. Residents joined to blaze trails, build bridges as well as a pavilion around a healthy Hirsch's Lake.

 Here's the rest of the story

Indian implements, including broken pottery, unearthed along the present Lakeview Drive, indicate this was the site of an Indian village. The trails through the park, predating the earliest recollections, were no doubt originally animal trails used by the Indians after their arrival.

 

Long before the dam was built forming the lake, the portion of Singley Avenue from Bassett Avenue to Hirsch Avenue was part of the main Indian trail from the Delaware River to the ocean.

 

Probably many of the skins traded at the Dutch Fort, Nassau, built 1623 by Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey at the mouth of the Timber Creek, were collected right here. At that time our woods and streams abounded beaver, otter bear and many other animals. The fact that Fort Nassau was the first European settlement in the Delaware Valley, remaining 28 years till 1651, indicates that this was the first area explored by white men.

 

In 1712 the "Old Cape Road," the first road to the ocean and Cape May, was laid out along the same Indian trail. The fresh cool spring water of the stream

no doubt made this a favored drinking spot.

 

The area remained forest until 1819 when Mr. Zane built the house which now is 400 Singley Avenue and started farming.  The land was later acquired by John Beakley who sold the house and 100 acres to William Hirsch Sr. in 1913.  Mr. Hirsch and his bride farmed the land until 1924.  Early 1925 he divided the farm into building lots, just one year before Runnemede was to become a borough, gaining independence from "Old Centre Township."

 

The spring of 1927 work was started in a dam across the stream to form Hirsch Lake.  Much of the dirt used in the dam was carted over by wagon from Evesham Road which was being regraded at the time.

 

The "crash" of 1929 struck a severe blow to many residents of the Borough, not the least of them was Mr. Hirsch. Most of his property was lost but he managed to save the house, the area of the park, and a few building lots along Timber Creek.  During the depression years of 1930-1935 the lake was used to breed large mouth bass and blue gill sunfish which were sold to stock many lakes of private estates and lodges in the Poconos.

 

The lake although posted "No Fishing" could seldom be found without a line dangling in it.  The summer sun ripened the wild strawberries on "Martins Hill" (now Sheppard Avenue).

 

At Christmas many homes were decorated with laurel that grew in dense profusion in the woods.  The winter snow made the "Dead Mane Trail" a formidable sledding course and the frozen lake attracted skaters from miles around.  Never have the woods been without the sound of children at play.

 

The present 18 acre park site was purchased from Mr. Hirsch in 1955 for $15,000. by Mayor Wm. Getty and Borough Council.  August 7, 1956 a resolution was passed setting aside these grounds to be " to be used as and for public playgrounds and recreational places,"  A new dam was constructed and a beach was cleared for swimming, unfortunately the latter project proved to be costly and was abandoned.

 

It was not until 1964, when Borough Officials considered selling the tract, that there was much recent interest in this area, except by the children who considered it  "their woods."  The contemplation of a housing development replacing the natural beauty of the lake and woods stirred heated protests.  The presentation of 1081 signatures on petitions lead to the rededication of the property "as a place for public resort and recreation."  November 4, 1964, rescinding Councils earlier action (October 8, 1964) of undedication.

 

February 9, 1965 a committee was appointed by Mayor Addezic to draft a master plan for the future development of the Park.  It was during the studies by this committee that its potential as an outdoor education and recreation area was realized.  As planning continued the idea for development of the Park took shape.  The development by the residents themselves through a series of "work weekends" and private donations.  Local organizations and businesses joined in, before the summer of 1965 ended two nature trails containing nine bridges and two picnic groves were completed, the lake had been raised and stocked with fish and Runnemede Lake Park was well on its way towards completion.

 

Historical research by, Harry Marvin of Mullica Hill, Jack Hurtle and Bill Leap.

 

This guide was prepared by the Mayor's Advisory Committee in cooperation with Apex Advertising Company of Runnemede.

 

Paid for by Runnemede's Camden Trust Company.

 

We would like to thank all those who assisted in making this park possible.

 

Mayor's Advisory Committee of Runnemede Lake Park

William W. Leap, Chairman 

 

The Watchers in the Woods: A Conversation with Ken Leap about his Mural Art

THE ART OF BALANCING STONES

Reimagine Runnemede finds this inspirational and wishes you a moment of stillness in a changing world.

Interested in challenging yourself to learn this skill? Here's a tutorial video:

https://youtu.be/xe1TBLawqoA

Painted Utility Poles

http://www.mooncitycreativedistrict.com/pole-painting.html

https://www.vancourier.com/2.2065/no-more-power-pole-painting-in-fernwood-safety-issues-cited-1.23945942

2016 Summer Labyrinth Kickoff - Circles in the Sand by Denny Dyke

Circles in the Sand

HOW RAFAEL LÓPEZ BROUGHT A COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Read the article: http://www.allthewonders.com/books/rafael-guest-post/
and more here: https://www.urbanlibraries.org/innovations/bay-point-book-to-action-mural-project

Saint Teresa's Parking Lot to Playground Transformation

Example from Peaceful Playgrounds

What this looks like for the volunteers

Before

After

Thursday, Jan 16th, 2020 - 7PM - 9PM

Please join us for our monthly community vision meeting.

Our agenda will include a planning session for our 2020 roll-out of events: New Year, New You, New Runnemede

• Hear about or interview with Community Heart & Soul - we're finalists!
• Learn about our upcoming Poetry Competition with Volz school.
• Meet sculptor, Marilyn Keating as we plan to execute our recent grant award from the Camden County Cultural & Heritage Commission for our "Winds of Change - Whirligig Project" in March
• Hear our plans for a new crop of murals to bloom in the Spring as we feature: "May is for Murals"
• Learn how you can support our outreach initiative to the Runnemede Business Community.