Public Art

Faculty Mentor:  Sarah Cunningham
Student Collaborator:  Michelle Nugent

See video summary of this project!

The Trenton Summer Research Project at TCNJ funded by the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research and the Lancy Foundation emphasize interdisciplinary community-engaged research to cultivate ties with the city of Trenton. This summer I worked with Sarah Cunningham on the program’s first art-based project. My involvement came in three parts: creating a mosaic for a neighborhood park, volunteering for ArtWorks’ “Art All Night” exhibition, and painting a large-scale mural for Trenton’s West Ward Center. All three projects allowed me to meet and collaborate with city officials and the residents of Trenton by focusing on the impact public art can have on Trenton and its people.

The community mosaic introduced me to the communication and cooperation needed with a community in order to conduct a successful public art project. With the neighborhood’s helping hand, we placed numerous small glass tiles together into a design I had made that showcased the neighborhood’s name. 

I also volunteered to assist Trenton’s downtown visual arts center, ArtWorks, produce “Art All Night”. This event was a 24-hour art happening that offered free exhibition opportunity to people of all ages and skill levels. I helped publicize the event, take inventory on the submitted artwork, install and take down the pieces, and conducted surveys. I was able to talk to many artists and art admirers from and around the Trenton area, as well as connect with ArtWorks’ board of trustees and volunteers who shared the same passion for spreading art throughout Trenton.

Lastly, my major project was a mural the children at a local recreation center helped me paint. The design consists of a vibrantly colored Trenton city skyline alongside sport themes popular with the children at the Center. This 8’x 32’ mural will be installed within the Center’s gymnasium upon completion.

Personal Statement by Michelle Nugent