August 26, 2023
Dover, NJ – Today, the town of Dover, in partnership with Levitate Creative Services and Idea Cultural, launched !Vivir, Amar, y Pintar! Arts Festival on Chestnut Street in Dover, NJ. The event celebrates the unveiling of a new approximately 5,000-square-foot public asphalt mural, and provides local artisans, vendors and musicians a chance to showcase their talents. The festival features a variety of artists from painters to sculptures and gives visitors the opportunity to engage with the artists, learn about their creative processes, and purchase their works.
The mural was installed by a team of artists and locals, led by artists Mustart and NTEL and Levitate Creative Services, an art event and mural company. The mural features the talents of artists David Swientnicki, Delancey Birzin, Richard Lopez, Christopher Rios, Jasminia Otero, Dante Cousins aka Street Dreams, José Fernando Vargas, assisting artists Davian Rodriguez, Rondall Scott, Ashley cook, Sebastian Gomez, Casey Cruz, Lauren Peters, Nadya Tomaszewski, Fabiana Jerves, Lori Lollygoa Connell, Brian Lozano, Terence Mckenna, and many volunteers.
Funding for the historic launch of Dover’s first public piece of mural art has been made possible in part by funds from Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
“The placement of the street art was planned with pedestrians in mind,” said Alex Dougherty, city Planner Consultant for New Jersey. “With religious places of assembly, a daycare, elementary school, and sports fields, it’s important to put pedestrians first.”
Transforming plain asphalt surfaces into visually striking artworks increases the visibility of crosswalks and pedestrian areas, making them more noticeable to drivers. These vibrant and unique murals will act as a visual cue for drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules.
Home Depot supplied the paint and other materials for the artists to create an inspiring mural. Gold sponsors include Boost Mobile, Dougherty Planning & Development, LLC, Pereiras Architects Ubiquitous, Javerbaum Wurgaft PC, Good Looks Social Tattoo, Calli Law, LLC, Dover Scoops & Brews and Saint Clare’s Health. Silver sponsors include Hector Lorenzo CPA, John McDonough Associates, LLC, Smash Fitness, Mimi’s Hair and Beauty Salon and 3 Brothers Restaurant. In-Kind sponsors included Delizia’s Pizza Kitchen, Jersey Mike’s Subs, John’s Fried Chicken, Factory Records, The Kubert School, Jerry’s Artist Outlet, and Canvs.
In addition to the art displays, the festival featured retail vendors, food trucks, a butterfly and fairy on stilts and live music curated by Idea Cultural.
About the Town of Dover
Dover is a vibrant community in New Jersey with a rich and wonderful history and an even more exciting future. Founded in 1722 by John Jackson by the construction of an Iron forge, the Iron industry swiftly formed the backbone of its growth. It was formally established as a town in 1869. Dover continues to grow and develop as a thriving community. In recent years, it has experienced astounding development and revitalization; from improvements to the downtown historic business district to several major redevelopment projects, Dover is once again a regional center with a culturally diverse population. For more information, please visit dover.nj.us.
About Levitate Creative Services
Levitate is a creative service agency founded in 2021 offering artist management, project management and production for private and public art projects and events. Levitate was established with the mission to uplift the community by creating experiences around art in unique spaces. Levitate is the proud recipient of two grants for 2023 and the awardee of a 2023 grant from Morris Arts Org and a program grant from Jersey City Arts & Cultural Trust Fund. For more information, please visit levitatecreativeservices.com.
About IDEA Cultural
IDEA Cultural is an independent project whose mission is to promote and celebrate the cultural values of the community through the development of artistic and educational initiatives that emphasize and encourage diversity and multiculturalism. For more information, please visit ideacultural.com.
About Morris Arts
Morris Arts, formerly Arts Council of the Morris Area, is a non-profit art organization founded in 1973. It was built on the guiding principles that the arts are vital to the social fabric and economic prosperity of the area, act as a catalyst for social change, and enrich the lives of everyone in the community. Its varied programs and services serve to inspire, connect, and engage. These include arts education programs for children in grades K-12, the creation of innovative community-building arts events, including concerts, gallery walks and public art exhibits, and support of area artists and arts organizations through funding, advocacy, and professional development.
