Eirini Linardaki’s
“A Field of Many Threads” (2026) for NJ Transit
Created for Newark Penn Station from scanned fabrics assembled into layered collages, A Field of Many Threads connects the movement of players across a field with the movement of people through transit. The work celebrates youth, aspiration, and the many journeys, cultures, and memories that come together in Newark every day.
Soccer has long been part of my cultural background. Growing up in Greece and later teaching in Marseille, I was part of communities where the game carried dreams, identities, and a sense of belonging. Across cultures, memories of matches—played in streets, schoolyards, parks, and stadiums—become part of a shared collective story.
Amanda Thackray’s
“Riparian Chorus!” (2026) for The Lower Passaic River Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP)
The Lower Passaic River Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP), in partnership with the Newark City Parks Foundation, Newark Arts Council, and the New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program, stewarded an 18-month initiative that began with a Call for Artists and invited the public to engage with critical water and environmental challenges through the arts.
The program was funded through the EPA’s Artist-in-Residence Initiative, co-developed with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), to advance the role of arts and culture across the federal government, increase access to the arts in underserved communities, elevate new voices, and expand opportunities for artists and culture bearers to explore and interpret their communities’ relationship to local waterways.
We are proud to congratulate Amanda Thackray, who was selected as the inaugural Lower Passaic Artist-in-Residence. Her installation at Riverfront Park, Riparian Chorus!, demonstrates the power of art to foster dialogue, curiosity, and public engagement around climate resilience and environmental stewardship.
This project represents another successful partnership for Newark Arts Council, creating a meaningful opportunity for a Newark artist to receive funding and support for a year-long, interdisciplinary project at the intersection of art, science, environmental justice, and community engagement. It stands as a powerful example of how creative practice can deepen our connection to place while inspiring collective action around the health and future of our waterways.
Photos by Rachel Alban.
Simone Bailey Campbell’s and Gera & Werc’s
McKinsey & Co. office murals (2025)
Newark Arts was thrilled to partner with McKinsey & Company to transform the firm’s new Ironside Newark office through dynamic, community-rooted public art. The project features The Spirit of Newark, a vibrant mural by Simone Bailey Campbell celebrating the resilience, heritage, and creativity of Newark. Complementing this is Brick City, an electrifying mural and interactive wall installation by renowned artist duo Gera & Werc. Their piece blends bold visuals and participatory elements to highlight Newark’s cultural identity and ongoing evolution. Together, these works create an immersive, inspiring space that reflects the city’s artistic spirit and the power of creative collaboration between the corporate and arts sectors.
