At Morris Arts, it’s our goal to bring the arts to as many residents of Morris County as possible, and perhaps nothing has a wider reach than public art. Public artworks enliven our community and exist in common spaces where everyone can enjoy them. Facilitating these projects has been, and continues to be an important part of our mission.
In 2015, Morris Arts spearheaded the establishment of Morristown’s One Percent for Art program. This initiative mandates that any new development in Morristown’s downtown redevelopment zone must allocate one percent of construction costs, up to $100,000, towards installation and maintenance of exterior public art on, or adjacent to the property being developed. So far, two public art pieces have been installed through this program, with a third project currently in process.
Past Public Art Projects
Convergent Sculpture
Convergent by Nathan S. Pierce is located in Morristown at 51 Prospect Street and was installed in July 2022. This sculpture is an 8’ x 7’ x 7’ stainless steel structure accented with light blue, amber, and fluorescent green acrylic panels.
Part of the One Percent for Art program, the project began in 2018 with an international call for proposals facilitated by Morris Arts along with partners at the Town of Morristown, Topology, and CORE Creative Placemaking. Nathan S. Pierce of Cape Girardeau, Missouri was selected and commissioned for the project in early 2019.
About his work, Pierce shared, “the idea behind the piece is, the circular forms bring the eye back in on itself in a few different ways and it becomes a metaphor for how this development has become part of the community it serves.”
Gateway Totems
Created by Master Stone Carver, Gabrielle Hiltl-Cohen, the Gateway Totems stand at the entry to Grow It Green’s Early Street Community Garden in Morristown. These 10-foot tall limestone pillars feature 16 panels that depict symbols of the immigrant communities who have called the Speedwell area home over generations.
The panel designs are the result of multiple community engagement sessions meant to ensure the residents’ cultures were properly represented. “The important thing is that they have a voice”, said Hiltl-Cohen. These pieces aim to honor past, present, and future immigrant communities and promote cross-cultural understanding and acceptance.
This project was funded by the One Percent for Art program, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (Morris Arts was one of only 18 arts organizations nationwide to receive this grant).
Neighborhood House Mural
Commissioned by Morris Arts in 2008, this mural appears on the Morristown Neighborhood House facing Flagler Street. Artist Cesar Viveros-Herrera created this piece along with over 200 community members who participated in the painting process.
The design of the 35’ x 35’ mural made from fabric called polytab, reflects the history of the Neighborhood House including depictions of students dancing, playing basketball, and playing musical instruments. “This is a legacy because the next generation can see it. The kids who took part in it … they can tell their children they were part of this big process.” said Viveros-Herrera.
Upcoming Projects
A committee is currently reviewing proposals for a new public artwork that will appear in downtown Morristown between Market Street and Bank Street.
Upon review of the applications, the committee will recommend up to three finalists who will be invited to submit a formal site-specific proposal for the project.