The fifth annual Social Justice Public Art Initiative “Windows of Understanding” officially launched on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a way to pay homage to King’s legacy with a designated “Day of Understanding”.
The works of art from local New Jersey artists will be on display in storefronts and public spaces from Jan. 17 to Feb. 28 in Metuchen, South Plainfield, Highland Park and New Brunswick.
The New Brunswick Community Arts Council, Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, Highland Park Arts Commission, the Metuchen Arts Council, and the South Plainfield Cultural Arts Commission partnered on this initiative that unites New Jersey artists, organizations and businesses to promote awareness and engagement around social justice issues impacting local communities.
As Windows of Understanding embarks on its fifth year, its focus revolves around climate change, economic justice, protest to policy, and public health. This is a creative, community-building response to the negativity and hate being perpetuated in today’s media landscape. It is through visual language that artists can communicate methods of understanding in powerful ways that cut across cultural boundaries.
This year, 24 non-profit organizations have been paired with artists to illustrate positive strides. The Metuchen Arts Council mounted an exhibition in the windows of sponsor Berkshire Hathaway’s office on Middlesex Avenue.
Dave LaMarte created a piece on economic injustice based on the First Presbyterian Church Community Food Pantry.
Melisa Gerecci of Metuchen worked on a climate change project for the Urban AG Lab at Rutgers University.
Protest to Policy was the focus of Bobby Duncan for the Citizens Campaign, and Ria Monga for the League of Women Voters of Greater New Brunswick.
For more information on the project, visit www.windowsofunderstanding.org or follow on Instagram @windowsofunderstanding and #weseethroughhate