If you find yourself strolling through Summit, NJ, you might walk into… say, a pair of oversized Dorothy slippers. You might also notice beautiful stained glass windows… in a bus stop. Or perhaps you’ll notice a statue of self-righteous looking man disposing of his garbage on Beekman Road.
These works of art are a part of the mission of the Mayor’s Partnership for Public Art, established in 2002. The Partnership’s goal, according to their website, is to “bring art — mainly contemporary sculpture — to public spaces in the city.”
Since 2004, works of art have been placed throughout the city in places like Wilson Park, Summit High School, the Promenade, and in various corners of downtown Summit. The works stay on display for approximately 6 months.
The Dorothy slippers, a work entitled “Dorothy was Here” by Elizabeth McCue of New York, NY, were displayed in front of the Summit Recreation Center on Morris Avenue.
The man disposing of his garbage is a 25-year-old piece by J. Seward Johnson of Born, NJ. The statue entitled “Holier than Thou” was displayed at the mini-park on the corner of Bank and Beekman. Another one of Sewards sculptures, “Contact #2,” was placed in front of the Summit train station. This one was of a man and a woman in a deep embrace that exuded the feeling of saying farewell and, because of its realism, triggered talk around town.
Stained glass windows can be found at three bus shelters at the Village Green. These works were commissioned between 2004 and 2006. The work of Barbara Ellmann of New York City is displayed at the shelter on the corner of Broad and Maple. On the corner of Broad and Elm, is Valeri Larko’s work. She is a former resident of Summit but now resides in New Rochelle, NY. Lastly, at the corner of Broad and Summit is where the windows of Judith Wadia, of Weehawken, NJ, are found.
The Mayor’s Partnership for Public Art, more commonly known as Public Art/Summit, makes conscious and constant efforts to beautify the city of Summit. Their website says that “it is a city entity; Public Art/Summit receives no funding from the city for acquisitions or operations.” They receive funding from donations, and public and private grants.
Esther A. Tomasello
es.tomasello@gmail.com
