"I am not sure if you got my first email. If there is no new news on the mural project other than what you have posted on your blog that is fine, but I would appreciate a response. Community support is important for things like this and that is what I am trying to provide. I am a home and business owner in this town and am looking for creative ways to support this town.
Thank you in advance for your response."
I don't like to get ahead of myself by announcing my next location or artist before things are 100% confirmed. If things don't follow through, it's more than just myself that is disappointed.
One of the most difficult factors in the mural equation is getting wall space. Some of the business owners I've approached for a wall don't understand the value that public art would provide to their community. It's possible they think I'm asking permission to tag their walls with graffiti.
A reader of the Jersey Journal article asked me to further explain my project. Below is my response, which explains the foundation for my project, and the goals I hope to achieve:
"I believe that the murals are more than just a large public piece of art for the public to enjoy. My idea was that not only could the murals beautify the city, but that by selecting the world's top contemporary artists, Jersey City could benefit from all of the media exposure that would follow the progression of my mural program. I felt that by promoting these murals by famous artists, Jersey City would become a destination for art-loving tourists from around the globe, as well as Manhattan and the boroughs, which in turn, would create new revenue in our local economy. Public art is not only good for the residents of the neighborhoods, but also great for the surrounding businesses. Feel free to ask Hudson County Art Supply how the response to the mural has been. They would know best. I've already heard from the owner that people have come from New York City to see the mural in person.
I also believe that by giving a gift of art to a neighborhood, you are creating something that all of the diverse residents of a community can be proud of. If a community is proud of their new mural, they won't want to see it damaged. My hope is that the same pride extends beyond the wall of the mural to their entire community, which would result in cleaner and safer neighborhoods.
My goal is that these public murals will result in a cleaner, safer, healthier, vibrant and colorful city."
If any readers know of a business or residence that would like to contribute wall space for a public mural, be sure to let me know.
Thank You,
Dylan
