On October 22, 2021, Newark Arts, Red Bull, and the City of Newark announced the completion of “Stronger Together,” a multi-facade mural project by Newark artist, Yasmin De Jesus, and defenseman for the New Jersey Devils and Red Bull Athlete, P.K. Subban. The murals wrap the front entrance of the Sharpe James Kenneth A. Gibson Recreation & Aquatic Center.
“Stronger Together” aims to promote diversity in hockey and to reframe a sport that has historically lacked representation. De Jesus and Subban spent nearly a year virtually exchanging ideas, and collaboratively producing a monumental artwork that honors Black and Brown players and encourages the Greater Newark community to play the sport. This mural is meant to be a vehicle for discussion around representation and equity in hockey.
Additionally, the mural is threaded with uplifting language, including “Newark Strong” a slogan of resilience coined during the initial months of the pandemic by Newark’s Mayor Ras J. Baraka.
The lead artist, Yasmin De Jesus was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, and attended Arts High. Local artists, Malcolm Rolling and Matthew Purefoy of Yendor Productions, assisted the artist in production. The project was managed by local arts organization, Newark Arts via its ArtSource service, and Newark-based organizer and public art curator, Rebecca Pauline Jampol. The behind the scenes video was produced by DreamPlay Media.
