Public Art
Welcome to Newton
Corner of Spring & Moran Sts, Newton, NJ -Sep 2023
We, along with the town of Newton, unveiled this creation during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 5, 2023, at the corner of Spring and Moran Streets. Initiated in the fall of 2022 with funding from a Neighborhood Preservation Grant from the State of NJ, the mural project came to life over the summer of 2023. We were excited to work with over 100 enthusiastic volunteers of all ages and talent levels. The Sussex County community truly rallied behind this artistic endeavor.
At 63 feet wide and 14 feet high, the mural graces the side of a historic building at 15 Spring Street, owned by Teyma General Contractors. Titled "Greetings from Newton New Jersey," the mural features iconic landmarks such as the Sussex County Courthouse, Merriam Casa Bella, The Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument, the clock tower, and Newton’s Elementary, Middle, and High schools set against the backdrop of Newton Lake Park.
Welcome to Bernardsville
Mount Airy Rd, Bernardsville, NJ- May 2021
Massive two year long collaborative community public art project involving input and painting from hundreds of townspeople, students, town council, local businesses, and non-profits. Two murals adorn either side of an NJ Transit railway overpass on busy Mt. Airy Road (which sees 10,000 cars per day). Funding through local grants from the Somerset County Cultural Heritage Commission and private funding from businesses and townspeople. CFO led the entire process through public brainstorming sessions, collaboration on design with HS Advanced Art students, and numerous public painting sessions. _Ribbon cutting was on Memorial Day 2021 with hundreds of townspeople, veterans, and federal and state representatives in attendance.
Shepherd Park Community Center
Shepherd Park, Washington, DC Sep ‘20
Percent for Art Public Art Project for the DC Department of General Services. 56’ x 9’ mural created for Shepherd Park Community Center which were painted on polytab panels and then installed onsite. Theme illustrated the life & work of Alexander Shepherd who modernized Washington DC after the Civil War with paved roads, sewers, and gas mains. The community of Shepherd Park is named after him, and all the streets are named after the vibrant flowers and trees that Shepherd grew in his nursery. The mural depicts all of streets as well as showing antique 1870s maps of the Washington DC gas mains and paving projects & Shepherd Park.
Goryeb Children's Hospital, Morristown Memorial
Morristown, NJ- December 2010
Mural in main entry lobby of the children’s wing of a busy local hospital depicting a lively playground scene. We got to paint the project onsite and in the process met many folks coming through to visit patients throughout the holiday season-- some of whom included members of the Jets and the Devils! Project funded through private donation.
Somerset Hills YMCA
Basking Ridge, NJ, April - May 2012
Five-week collaborative mural residency covering over 175 feet of interior hallway. The Olmsted Mural Group worked with the SHYMCA to create a plan that would illustrate all of the amazing offerings at the YMCA, and all of the services that it provides to the community. We then led the creation of the mural with the help of over 150 volunteers, ages 3 to well over 80.
Westfield Memorial Library Children’s Area
Westfield, NJ- April 2020
During the Covid-19 outbreak shutdown, we created a secret garden on the pillars and arches at the public library in Westfield, NJ. Patrons enter the Children’s area through a set of stone arches, covered in roses, vines, and hidden objects, with kites and hot air balloons flying above. Moving through the first set of arches, they come to the second set which creates a forested reading area in the heart of the Children’s Library. Critters abound and hidden objects can be found in every nook and cranny of tree bark and canopy. Come by some day to see for yourself!
The Seeing Eye Foundation
Morristown, NJ- March 2019
The Seeing Eye Foundation, headquartered in Morristown, NJ, turned 90 in 2019 & commissioned us to design & create a mural for their visitor lobby to celebrate this momentous event. The mural depicts the life of a Seeing Eye dog from its days as a puppy through training stages, meeting its new owner, and working with its owner out in the real world, as well the origins of The Seeing Eye. We had over 100 volunteers from Randolph Middle School (P.A.W.S organization), Benjamin Moore Paint, Wyndham Hotels, The Seeing Eye employees & volunteers – sighted & even blind! This project was made possible by a grant from Morris Arts, a donation from Benjamin Moore, the Randolph Middle School P.A.W.S club, & all the volunteers who generously donated their time to bring the story of The Seeing Eye Foundation to life. You can view a video about the project here. Enjoy!
Watkins Elementary School
Washington, DC- Summer 2017
Painting for Watkins Elementary illustrating their “Foodprints” program. 40”x22”, acrylic on gatorboard.
Solo Acrylic painting 3’ x 5’ was commissioned by the Watkins Elementary School in Washington DC promoting the “Foodprints” program which works with children in underserved communities by creating a learning garden, and then teaching children about healthy food choices, and cooking, with the goal of improving overall health in the city of Washington, DC.
Swannanoa Cleaners
Asheville, NC - Summer 2004
Large exterior mural in downtown Asheville, created in honor of the client’s 100th year in business. Artwork based off a photo from the family’s collection from the horse and buggy days when they used to deliver laundry by carriage to their customers. Mural featured on local news channel WLOS with an interview of CFO, also featured in the Asheville Citizen Times. Seventeen years later, in 2021 the mural was included on the Asheville Mural “South Slope Trail.”
Map of Madison, NJ
Madison, NJ Winter 2013
Collaboration between Whole Foods and Kings Road School of Madison, NJ to create a map of town to hang in the café area in the newly renovated Whole Foods Market. We worked with the students and teachers to develop a list of favorite local landmarks (one of which was Whole Foods, of course!). Once we had the list in hand, the Olmsted Mural Group developed the design, drew it out on panels, and then took the panels to the school for painting. Afterwards, we enhanced the work with details, highlights, and shadows before the unveiling in January 2014.
Robert Tokash Aquatics
Our mural of the New Jersey Shore completely transforms the Robert Tokash Aquatics Center. The Center, operated by Morris-Union Jointure Commission (MUJC) provides public school programs in supportive environments for students with autism or autistic-like behavior. The aquatics center was designed for the special needs of the students, and every detail in the mural was specifically designed to make the students feel comfortable when visiting New Jersey beaches. The walls around the center transports the students to a warm, sunny day on the beach. A bicycle, parked next to the wooden sand fence, leads the viewer down a path to the water’s edge where brightly colored umbrellas dot the shoreline. The surrounding beach grass sways in the gentle breeze as well as the sailboats on the ocean in the distance. A lighthouse anchors the corner of one wall while a fishing shack adorned with colorful fishing buoys anchors the opposite wall. Funding for this project came from PNC Bank and the mural was completed over the course of three summers. This mural location required incredibly special paint considerations since it is so high humidity and we partnered with experts from Benjamin Moore to use their Aura Bath and Spa paints in this art project.
