GRAMMY Museum ExperienceTM Prudential Center along with proud founding partner, Prudential Financial, Inc., the City of Newark, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Baldwin Equities and Newark Arts have announced plans for a Whitney Houston mosaic mural, which will be located in Newark’s Central Ward. The newest mural installation is the second of five murals planned for the city. Newark-based Artist Maude Lemaire who specializes in beautiful hand-cut glass mosaic murals was selected to create the second installation.
Installment of the mural began in mid-October, with an official virtual unveiling event set for late-November. The virtual event will feature one-on-one interviews with Artist Maude Lemaire, as well as key stakeholders from Prudential Financial, Prudential Center, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District and others. There will be a live look at the ribbon cutting ceremony at the conclusion of the event.
The economic and intangible benefits of public art are well known, including the power of murals to celebrate the unique and rich cultural history of a place, while transforming spaces that increase foot traffic and tourism, and contributing to the growing vibrancy of a neighborhood. This collaboration adds another colorful thread to the exciting revitalization happening in Newark and honors the city’s rich musical roots. The 19’x28’ mural will be comprised of over 1,000 lbs of hand-cut glass mosaic and will be located at 45 Williams Street, Newark, NJ 07102 in Newark’s Central Ward. Prudential Center and Prudential Financial Inc. worked in partnership with Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District and Baldwin Equities to make the determination to install the mural on the façade of William House, a new community-focused mixed-use project featuring apartments and a variety of amenities. It will be placed directly next to Teachers Village and sit just three blocks from Prudential Center.
“Whitney Houston’s dynamic career remains one of the most decorated in music history and her connection to and impact on the city of Newark will forever be celebrated,” said Natasha Moody, Senior Vice President, Business Operations, Prudential Center. “We are honored to bring this extraordinary mural to life in Newark’s Central Ward alongside Prudential Financial, Inc., the City of Newark, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Baldwin Equities and Newark Arts. The mural serves as another powerful reminder of the Whitney Houston’s legacy, as well as the rich music history of the city and the state of New Jersey.
“We are excited to collaborate with the City of Newark, Newark Arts, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, the Estate of Whitney Houston and the Prudential Center for the Whitney Houston mosaic mural project,” said Shané Harris, vice president, head of Social Responsibility & Partnerships, Prudential Financial, Inc. “This second mural continues Prudential’s commitment to creating new cultural spaces which celebrate Newark’s vibrant arts community with residents in the Central Ward.”
“Whitney Houston is one of Newark’s most legendary figures in our long history of being a city of great diversity and distinct voices,” Mayor Ras J. Baraka said. “Her voice may have come only once in a lifetime, but her songs and her sound will move and inspire generations for years to come. Creating a mural in her honor in her native city not only recognizes her great talent but enables today’s talent to shine, adding new pages to our artistic history.”
“As a Central Ward native and member of the New Hope Baptist Church, I am so thrilled and honored to witness a mural dedicated to Whitney Houston, be installed here in the Central Ward,” saidLaMonica R. McIver, Council Member, Central Ward, City of Newark. “This dedication has been in the works for a very long time and is long overdue. Whitney Houston is an icon to the world and especially to us here in Newark. This honor is so well deserved. Thank you to all the partners who made this possible.”
“Having a presence in Newark is certainly an honor for Whitney’s Legacy,” said Pat Houston, Executor, The Estate of Whitney E. Houston. “This Mural represents a continuation of an Iconic Legend who undoubtedly will be remembered as the greatest voice for centuries to come. Thank you Prudential Center, Prudential Financial Inc. and the City of Newark for this recognition.”
Maude Lemaire is a self- taught artist with glass medium and her objective is to bring more vibrant colors and shapes with an avant-garde touch into the world. Her works consists of modern, timeless, and unique mosaic concepts and have depicted famous portraits created in a variety of colored tiles and sizes. Lemaire has been commissioned by the cities of Newark and Jersey City to create and install personal conceptual mosaic works in several locations.
