STREET ART
Grafitti artists paint the town
TRENTON — The smell of paint and the sounds of local music filled the air on New York Avenue on Saturday.
At the TerraCycle headquarters the positive vibes were flowing along with the creative juices as artists from the Trenton area and beyond gathered to showcase their work at the eighth annual Graffiti Jam. Bands, painters and street artist combined entertained the crowd which swelled into the hundreds.
The event sought to cover each wall of the company’s offices with brand new artwork. The Graffiti Jam, also known as the Jersey Fresh Jam, featured the works of Trenton’s own Vicious Styles Crew and other popular urban artists. Music performances by a host of local artists took place on the sidewalk, which gave the event block party vibe.
According to a release from Terracycle, urban art is often portrayed in a negative light. More recently the often maligned art form has gained traction as a serious popular art form.
“When you take out the vandalistic nature of the art and give the artist time to do something beautiful, true art is expressed and nothing else,” said Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle in a release.
The art featured on the walls of the Terracycle headquarters was as varied and eclectic as the artists themselves. One full wall displayed a mural depicting “Game of Thrones” scenes, that offered deep and rich almost photographic tones.
The all-day event captured the attention of event-goers young and old and ran the cultural gamut.