The {PORTRAITS} mural at McCarter Highway (Rt. 21) in Newark has been carefully restored and extended!
Discover how artists and a community united to convert a century old wall into the longest mural in the United States.
In 2016, led by the Newark Downtown District, the country’s longest mural, “Gateways to Newark: Portraits,” was conceived and created along Route 21, McCarter Highway. Spanning more than 1.34 miles, this mural features 18 pieces by local, national, and international artists, forming a multi-dimensional portrait of Newark’s communities and unyielding spirit.
The artworks reflect how the people see Newark, presenting images celebrating the city’s historical and contemporary local leaders, icons, residents, and the memory of those who have passed on. Emphasizing the concept of home and belonging, artists share stories of movement and memory, migration, and immigration. Themes of family, tradition, play, and joy illustrate and bridge visuals from many cultural communities rooted in Newark.
Located in one of the city’s busiest entryways, “Gateway to Newark: PORTRAITS” is seen by nearly 1.1 million commuters and residents each month.
Photo by Cody Ras
Eight years after its completion, the City of Newark, the Newark Downtown District, and many partners have undertaken an extensive restoration to preserve these artworks. These efforts include power washing, calcium removal, partial and full paint restoration, re-mounted printed imagery, reimagining artworks, and sealing for longevity. This critical initiative demonstrates Newark’s commitment to maintaining the city’s public art, cementing its importance in creative place making, and developing spaces of community pride and representation.
ORGANIZED BY
The Newark Downtown District (NDD), Newark’s special improvement district of the central business area, is a privately funded 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, dedicated to revitalizing downtown Newark by improving the economic viability of the central business district. The NDD also works hard to enhance the quality of life for those who live, labor, and leisure in Newark, by providing supplemental cleaning and safety services, as well as marketing and physical streetscape improvement programs.
SUPPORTED BY
The City of Newark, New Jersey aims to create economic opportunity for Newark residents, enhance the vibrancy of our city, and position Newark to take advantage of its unique assets, including its strategic location, a diverse and underutilized workforce, a large amount of developable land, concentration of business, major universities, and a wealth of arts and cultural assets.
Project for Empty Space (PES) is a multifaceted arts organization in downtown Newark, NJ and downtown Manhattan, NY. PES is a woman-run, femme-powered, People of the Global Majority/BIPOC, Queer, and unapologetically radical ecosystem for creatives. Today, PES provides safe, equitable spaces for artistic innovation and complex public engagement by supporting artists whose work is oriented toward social discourse.
As an independent 501(c)(3), Newark Arts is the lynchpin in Newark’s thriving arts ecosystem of 5,000 arts workers, 1,500 artists and the thousands of residents and visitors that we serve. Newark Arts’ mission is accomplished through direct funding and
grant distribution to artists, fiscal sponsorship, arts advocacy, creative placemaking, marketing, arts education access, artist professional development, various cultural initiatives, strategic partnerships and major event coordination, with a focus on providing arts access in every ward.
GNCVB is a private 501(c) (6) New Jersey non-profit corporation, primarily funded by Newark hotels through a Tourism Improvement District, committed to creating economic growth and increased employment in Newark by: marketing and developing the Greater Newark region as a year-round destination; Increasing the number of overnight visitors staying at Newark hotels; Increasing the length of the average overnight stay; Increasing per capita spending by hotel guests at Newark restaurants and attractions.
Invest Newark is the primary economic development catalyst for the New Jersey’s largest city, Newark. It is organized to retain, attract and grow businesses, enhance small and minority business capacity, and spur real estate development throughout the City’s 20 diverse neighborhoods.
Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings for nearly 150 years. As the nation’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident color selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,000 neighborhood stores across North America.
Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions for consumer, business, and industrial use. As part of its continuing sustainability efforts, Panasonic Corporation of NA relocated its headquarters in 2013 to a new facility, adjacent to Newark Penn Station. It is the first newly constructed office tower in Newark to earn both LEED Platinum and Gold certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Amtrak – America’s Railroad® – is dedicated to safe and reliable mobility as the nation’s intercity passenger rail service provider and its high-speed rail operator. With their state and commuter partners, they move people, the economy, and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak passengers for each of the past five years.
Edison Properties is the parent company of Manhattan Mini Storage, New York’s self-storage leader and one of the city’s favorite brands, thanks to our famous subway ads and billboards. They also own and operate Edison ParkFast – 40 gorgeous garages and lots throughout New York City, as well as Northeastern New Jersey and Baltimore. Edison Properties is a family-owned and operated company since 1956.
Commercial District Services (CDS) empowers people with the knowledge and tools to transform their public spaces from the ground up. They connect place management with outdoor cleaning and public safety services to provide a unified, accessible, and effective suite of services for business improvement districts, private property owner associations, and municipalities.
Sunbelt Rentals is a leader in the equipment rental industry, constantly advancing the idea of how a company can best serve its customers, communities and the planet. With a vast network of locations across North America and an expansive portfolio of products and services, they deliver solutions to support any job.