East Brunswick YMCA and church collaborate on mural wall project

EAST BRUNSWICK–Collaborating on a project to highlight the diversity of its community,  Point Community Church East Brunswick is creating a painted mural for the Raritan Valley YMCA.

On one of Raritan Valley‘s exterior walls, Point Community Church East Brunswick Senior Pastor Thomas Wong said that the church plans on painting a landscape representing different age groups, ethnic groups, participating in the different exercises and programs offered by the YMCA.

Wong said that Raritan Valley Executive Director Gina Stravic reached out to him and asked if the church would be interested in painting a mural for the YMCA, capturing the mission and values of the YMCA.

“As we have been using their facility for worship services on Sunday mornings for the last three years, we have developed a strong partnership and trust working on different projects together for the good of our community,” Wong said. “Our church has sponsored a bike donation drive with the YMCA for the benefit of the Puerto Rican Action Board in New Brunswick. We have served the YMCA with numerous improvement projects like interior painting, yard work, hosting a community Easter Egg hunt and open gym night.”

The church is hoping to have the exterior walls cleaned by July 25 and it will begin sketching the wall on July 26. The church is hoping to begin actual painting on Aug. 15., according to Wong.

Wong said that the wall is approximately 110 feet wide and 20 feet high.

“There are four artists from Point Community Church that will be working on the sketching.  When that is complete, we are inviting anyone with painting skills to join us on the weekends to complete the project,” Wong said. “We are hoping to be done before Labor Day weekend. Some artists from [the] Puerto Rican Action Board and friends/employees of the YMCA may also join us on this project.”

The reason the YMCA wants a mural created at its East Brunswick location, Wong said is because the YMCA wanted to use art to communicate the work it does in the community, to improve the aesthetics of the building, and to create an opportunity for community partners to collaborate over a joint project that brings people together.

“We have built a strong partnership over the last three years and Point Community Church is committed to serving the local community any way we can. This is one of our core values as a church,” Wong said. “When the Stravic asked if we would consider this project, we realized it was another great opportunity for us to provide a uniting experience for people in our church and the community.”
With the church hoping to have the mural completed by Labor Day weekend, Wong said that the grand unveiling will likely take place that weekend unless the Stravic has another date in mind.
“If anyone would like to contribute to the cost of the paint as an expression of supporting an organization that serves the community, the YMCA could use funds to help underwrite the cost of all the paint,” Wong said. “As all of the artists are volunteering their time, any appreciation gifts to them would also be appreciated.”
For artists who want to help paint, email Thomas Wong at [email protected].
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].