Montclair is one of the most prominent cultural hubs of New Jersey, with its theaters, museums, arts, and bustling restaurant scene. In recent years, the town has colored its streets with outdoor murals. The public artwork further enriches Montclair’s vibrant neighborhood, attracting residents and visitors alike. The Montclair Center Business Improvement District (BID) is behind many of the murals across town through its ArtCONNECTs Mural Project initiative, which began in 2019 and continues today. In honor of these pieces of work, we have rounded up a few of the most eye-catching murals that stand out in Montclair that you can visit.

Amol Saraf Mural | 420 Bloomfield Avenue

Artist: Amol Saraf

Date: 2020

In Amol’s 30-year career, he has worked on public art projects across India and the U.S., creating through various forms of expression and materials. He believes in creating soothing, refreshing, and uplifting artwork, which shows up in his piece on Bloomfield Avenue. The mural intends to send patrons a positive message through bright colors and designs.

Hobbes | 6 Gates Avenue

Artist: Jerkface

Date: 2023

This is the second mural by Jerkface to grace Montclair — a giant lush scene featuring Hobbes, the character from the comic Calvin and Hobbes. When Jerkface was creating the first mural near Glen Ridge Taekwon-do, a kid approached him and told him he should include Calvin and Hobbes. Jerkface added Hobbes at the end, who now has his very own mural due to that kid.

Read More: Art Galleries to Visit in the Montclair Area

Holly Rader Mural | 219 Glenridge Avenue

Artist: Holly Rader

Date: 2020

Holly is a collage and street artist whose art exudes a playful essence of the feminine spirit, specializing in women and Hollywood actresses from the 1920s and 30s. In addition to Montclair, she’s left her mark on public spaces in New York, Georgia, France, China, and Norway. Her piece for Montclair features Tallulah Bankhead, an actress from the 1930s portrayed as mysterious, romantic, and surreal.

Jhonattan Arango Mural | 50 Church Street

Artist: Jhonattan Arango

Date: 2020

Jhonattan makes geometric, abstract art using only triangles. This mural drew inspiration from the work of a notorious sculptor who lived in Montclair and was known for creating a famous bust featured at the center of the piece. There are also iris flowers framing the bust, which captures the essence of Montclair — a combination of natural beauty with the mense ability to make beautiful things.

 

Postal Love | 180 Bloomfield Avenue

Artist: Chady Abousleiman

Date: 2020

Postal Love covers over 500 square feet and was designed with the theme “Love Montclair” in mind. It aims to evoke warm and affectionate feelings towards Montclair for residents and visitors. The mural serves as a visual love letter to Montclair, capturing the town’s spirit and charm. A postage stamp is at the center of the mural, symbolizing the delivery of a heartfelt message. The stamp’s silhouette is against a backdrop of bright colors, with New Jersey’s state bird, the goldfinch, soaring above a blooming heart. Augmented reality elements bring the mural to life and enrich the overall sensory experience of the artwork.

Reverberations of Reawakenings | 613 Valley Road

Artists: Lauren Vroegindewey, Marguerite Kaufer, + Nicole Nuzzolo

Date: 2021

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the three Montclair State alum artists presented this mural to the town as a reflection of community appreciation and hope for better days. The artists offered a tribute to those lost due to the pandemic and used vibrant colors to depict an uplifting next chapter. The mural was an interactive gift to the public. At the time of the unveiling, the community was encouraged to write the names of those lost due to the pandemic.

See More: Hoboken + Jersey City Murals: The Stories Behind Them

The Gang’s All Here | 131 Glenridge Avenue

Artist: Jerkface

Date: 2022

The anonymous artist from New York City took four days to paint the mural, a collection of familiar cartoon characters such as South Park, the Simpsons, Garfield, Animaniacs, and Peppa Pig, among others. Some characters have a fun twist, like SpongeBob SquarePants with the face of Homer Simpson and Bugs Bunny with Mickey Mouse’s clothes.

Willow | 2 Willow Street

Artist: Jenna Snyder-Phillips

Date: 2021 

Willow is the first exterior and largest mural to date by Jenna Snyder-Phillips, spanning over 100 hundred feet long and 16 feet high, painted on a brick wall at Montclair’s art center. The organic graphic lines depict the willow branches native to northern New Jersey in bold, contrasting fiesta colors. No matter where people look, the energy of the mural reverberates movement.