NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – A two-mile walk that will weave its way through the Downtown area and Esperanza neighborhood will showcase New Brunswick’s vibrant art scene, explore its rich and diverse culture and even recall important moments in its storied history.
The Hub City Humanities for Murals and Muses inaugural art and photo walk is scheduled to start at City Hall at 78 Bayard St. at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 22.
Seven of the city’s colorful, large-scale murals, whose creation was made possible by various city organizations as well as Middlesex County’s continued dedication to supporting the arts, will be the focal points of the walk.
“We want to empower our neighborhoods through arts, arts, education, and supporting all of these forms, hoping that doing these things, it will contribute to the quality of life for our residents and in doing so will enhance the community development and economic growth within our city,” organizer Michael Tublin said.
Tublin said he will provide a short description of each mural – some of which speak to New Brunswick’s long history and diverse culture.
The walk also has a social media component in which participants are encouraged to share the experience with others by including the hashtags #HUBCITYHUMANITIES, #NBPHOTOWALK and #THISCITYOFOURS.
“Those who will participate don’t necessarily have to take shots of the murals,” Tublin said. “We just ask that whatever they photograph, they can post them with the hashtags and hopefully inspire people and their creativity.”
Keith Jones II, the director of the city’s Department of Human and Community Services, said while it’s important to showcase the city’s large catalog of outdoor art, the event above all else is designed to be a fun time for participants during a time when many have been couped up in their homes because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an opportunity for people to get outside, get some walking in,” Jones said. “And we also want to invite creatives to also do some photography, practice their hobby and craft, to be able to help us also amplify some of the work that’s been happening across the city for a number of years.”
Those who want to participate should RSVP with Tublin at [email protected]
The rain date will be Sunday, May 23 at 1 p.m.
For more information, call 732-745-5174.