J&L Parking Corp and Newark Downtown Development Launch Parking Lot Kiosks Art Campaign

October 26, 2016

J&L Parking Corp and Newark Downtown Development Launch Parking Lot Kiosks Art Campaign

J&L Parking Corp. and Newark Downtown District

Launch ‘Newark Jazz Notes’ Art Campaign In Celebration of #Newark350

Newark artists will transform downtown commercial parking lot kiosks into unique artistic tributes to city’s jazz history as part of 350th anniversary celebrations – Project will encompass J&L’s parking kiosks in Newark’s downtown

Newark, NJ – October 26, 2016 – J&L Parking Corporation (J&L) and the Newark Downtown District (NDD) announced today that they are teaming up to add to the city’s history as both a music and arts center by turning downtown parking lot kiosks into vibrant artistic creations that honor Newark’s jazz music traditions. The project is the first of its kind in Newark, and will help residents and visitors alike “re-imagine the role of a commercial parking lot within the greater urban landscape.”

The two organizations have partnered with Yendor Productions’ commissioned artists, Newark native Burnett Grayson III and Newark resident Steve Green, to paint murals on kiosks located across from the Prudential Center and near Newark City Hall, close to Penn Station in designs entitled “Newark Jazz Notes.” The artwork will honor the city’s jazz musicians, whose most lustrous stars include names like Newark native Sarah Vaughan, Wayne Shorter, and James Moody.

“Downtown Newark is the epicenter of arts and culture in New Jersey. The mural project with J&L Parking Corp. is a perfect example of private businesses supporting the revitalization of downtown Newark through beautification. The Newark Downtown District is working to renew our urban landscape district-wide and partners such as J&L Parking Corp. make this goal a reality,” said NDD CEO Anthony McMillan.

“There is no better way to celebrate and recognize the creativity of our City than to commission local artists to help us beautify our spaces,” said Deputy Mayor Baye Adofo-Wilson, Director of Housing & Economic Development. “The J&L Parking Lots Arts Program shows the company’s support of Newark talent, residents and the arts community, as well as their commitment to our City’s revitalization.”

Artists Green and Grayson were selected from a highly competitive list of local artists with whom the NDD had previously worked and whose practice reflected the spirit of Newark. Together with the NDD, J&L reviewed each artist’s existing body of work with the kiosks in mind. Green and Grayson’s unique styles, use of bold and bright hues, and passion for Newark made them clear contenders for this project. “Jazz Notes” will reflect the often un-acclaimed history of jazz in Newark.

“I am honored to be chosen for this unique project. Jazz and art are synonymous with one another in Newark,” said Mr. Green.

“This mural project is not only good for the city but for the artists. This city is rich with great artists. The ‘Jazz Notes’ Art project allows us to be recognized,” said Mr. Grayson.

J&L too has a rich history in Newark. The family-owned and operated professional parking business has managed commercial parking facilities throughout Newark for more than 20 years, offering exceptional rates to residents, businesses, and commuters in downtown Newark, including daily and monthly parking near the Prudential Center, Newark Penn Station, municipal buildings, and other area establishments.

“We have deep roots in Newark and came up with an initiative to challenge the notion that parking lots cannot actively engage the community. Centrally located and highly visible, our parking lots were the perfect platform to continue what the NDD started. With these works, we are supporting the local arts community while making the parking lots more visually appealing and interactive,” said J&L President Joseì Lopez.

The project is intended to be part of J&L’s support of city-wide events commemorating the 350th anniversary of Newark’s founding, entitled “Celebration 350.” Throughout the entire year, there have been a wide array of events to recognize Newark’s glorious history, which began in 1666 with Captain Robert Treat and his Connecticut Puritans landing at what ultimately became the site of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to found what is now New Jersey’s largest and America’s third-oldest city.

In addition to ‘Newark Jazz Notes’ launch on the 18th, J&L’s sites will also be featured inNewark Arts’ Murals and MartinisTM: An Open Doors Public Art Tour on October 22ndfrom 11 a.m. to 3 pm. The event features a two-hour guided mural tour of the longest mural on the East Coast, a performance by Storyboard P at Newark Allery, and an after-party at Reid’s Biergarten.

One of the parking lot kiosks repainted by the J&L Parking Corp. and Newark Downtown District Partnership by Newark artists Burnett Grayson III and Newark resident Steve Green honor the city’s jazz musicians, whose most lustrous stars include names like Newark native Sarah Vaughan, Wayne Shorter, and James Moody. The project is intended to be part of J&L’s support of city-wide events commemorating the 350th anniversary of Newark’s founding, entitled “Celebration 350.” This kiosk stands in the parking lot adjacent to Newark’s City Hall.J&L Kiosk 03

One of the parking lot kiosks repainted by the J&L Parking Corp. and Newark Downtown District Partnership by Newark artists Burnett Grayson III and Newark resident Steve Green honor the city’s jazz musicians, whose most lustrous stars include names like Newark native Sarah Vaughan, Wayne Shorter, and James Moody. The project is intended to be part of J&L’s support of city-wide events commemorating the 350th anniversary of Newark’s founding, entitled “Celebration 350.” Here, a detail of one of the kiosk murals. J&L Kiosk 04

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