The inaugural location chosen was on the side of a building recently acquired by the Urban League of Essex County, at 513 Central Ave., in the Fairmount neighborhood. Previously a bar, the building now serves as an extension of the Urban League’s thrift shop, while the once overgrown accompanying lot has been cleaned up and converted into a green space with a patio. Speaking at the event, Urban League President and CEO Vivian Cox Fraser spoke of the importance of creating such spaces in previously undeveloped areas, pointing out that initially, planners believed that the “only green space in Fairmont, was the cemetery.” Recognizing the potential at the corner of Central Ave. and 18th St., however, changed the plan. “Clearly with this investment,” she continued, “the support of Prudential Financial, the Prudential Center, the GRAMMY Museum and the City of Newark, we can declare that this is no longer the case.”

Other speakers expressed the importance of uplifting all of Newark’s communities through these artistic and philanthropic endeavors. Newark Arts Council Executive Director Jeremy Johnson emphasized that these partnerships are forged with the entire city in mind. “This space is not by accident,” he proclaimed. “This is the right space at this right time. Newark is in the top ten of arts vibrant cities in the U.S., but we’re not just talking about one part of our city. Not only Downtown, but all of our neighborhoods.”

Mayor Ras Baraka spoke next, reminding the audience of Newark’s rich musical history, and reinforced the city’s pledge to continue arts-based initiatives. “A lot of times, we take our artists for granted. We don’t do that in Newark,” Baraka stated. “We think art is essential to economic growth, to social growth, to intellectual growth, and to community growth. Without art, we don’t have community.”