Public Art

Rebecca is a public art coordinator and curator dedicated to advancing equitable, socially engaged cultural practices.

She has overseen the development and execution of nearly 100 public artworks, guiding projects from concept through fabrication and installation. Her work spans collaborations with public agencies, municipal partners, nonprofits, private developers, corporations, and national brands, always centering community input and participation.

Rebecca’s large-scale public projects include Gateways to Newark: Portraits (2016), the East Coast’s longest mural at 1.34 miles; Four Corners Public Arts (2019–2023); #MuralsforJustice (2020), developed with Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s administration; and Audible’s Newark Artist Collaboration (2021–present). Each initiative is grounded in deep research, community interviews, archival engagement, and opportunities for local collaboration, ensuring that the work reflects Newark’s histories, voices, and aspirations.

Her approach intentionally expands participation in a field historically dominated by male perspectives, promoting visibility and opportunities for women and non-binary artists. Rebecca embraces experimental methods and innovative technologies, using public art as a space to imagine, inspire, and provoke reflection. Her projects activate public spaces as platforms for dialogue, creative collaboration, and community engagement, encouraging communities to think more deeply, feel more fully, and envision new possibilities. Through this work, socially driven, equitable art becomes a transformative force that amplifies underrepresented voices and shapes the cultural life of the city.

Large Scale Projects (2016+)

Gateway to Newark: Portraits

(2016 – Present Restoration)
Role - Lead Organizer in Collaboration with Artist Layqa Nuna Yawar
Gateways to Newark: Portraits — the nation’s longest mural — was produced in partnership with the Newark Downtown District along McCarter Highway (Route 21). Stretching 1.34 miles and featuring 18 large-scale works by local, national, and international artists, the project forms a multidimensional portrait of Newark’s history, resilience, and cultural identity. Seen by an estimated 1.1 million commuters and residents each month, it stands as one of the region’s most visible public art landmarks and a powerful celebration of the people who shape the city.
During creation, nearly 1,500 gallons of paint were used and the project engaged close to 100 participants including artists, assistants, volunteers, and community collaborators. An estimated 70 Newark residents were part of the mural’s execution, bridging art-making with local engagement.
In 2024, a major restoration initiative was stewarded in partnership with the City of Newark and collaborating organizations, ensuring the artwork’s longevity through cleaning, paint repairs, structural updates, and conservation. These efforts reinforce Newark’s long-term commitment to public art and creative placemaking.
Four Corners Public Art

(2019 – 2023)
Role – Lead Organizer and Program Director
Four Corners Public Arts was launched as a public/private partnership dedicated to revitalizing Newark’s Four Corners Historic District through public art. Guided from inception through completion, the initiative united the City of Newark, Invest Newark, Newark Arts, Newark Downtown District, Paramount Assets, and RBH Group to transform underused alleyways, including Treat Place and Beaver Street, into vibrant cultural spaces. The program prioritized opportunities for local artists, equitable community engagement, and neighborhood-based economic uplift.
The program produced over 20 murals and installations, engaging dozens of artists and hundreds of community members through workshops, paint days, and collaborative activations. It strengthened connections between residents, small businesses, and the creative community while animating public space and fostering civic pride. Participating artists included Manuel Acevedo (with Pink Dragon Syndicate), Armisey Smith, the Barat Foundation (with Sue Daly), CAZORLA + Saleme, Colleen Gutwein, Daniela Puliti, Eirini Linardaki, GERALUZ, HIMED, Jo-El Lopez, Noelle Lorraine Williams, Oneil, Rorshach Collective, Womb of Violet Collective, and the collaborative team of Salamishah Tillet, Scherazade Tillet, Chantal Fischzang, and Alliyah Allen.
#MuralsforJustice

(2020)
Role – Co-Organizer
#MuralsforJustice was initiated by the City of Newark and community partners in response to the national racial justice movement in 2020. The project mobilized artists and residents to reclaim public streets with large-scale, socially conscious murals, including ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER on Halsey Street and ABOLISH WHITE SUPREMACY on MLK Jr. Boulevard.
Hundreds of community members participated in painting and supporting the murals, which became focal points for civic engagement and public expression. The initiative expanded into exhibitions and programming, including There Is This We, elevating public art as a platform for activism, healing, and collective dialogue.
Newark Artist Collaboration (Audible)

(2021 – Present)
Role – Lead Partner and Curator
The Newark Artist Collaboration (NAC) commissions large-scale public artworks throughout downtown Newark to amplify local artists and strengthen the city’s creative economy. The program has featured murals, installations, digital works, and interactive projects throughout the Audible campus and surrounding neighborhoods, creating a cultural corridor that celebrates community, storytelling, and civic engagement.
NAC has supported over 20 selected artists and collectives, including Adama Delphine Fawundu, Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Armisey N. Smith, CAZORLA + Saleme, Eirini Linardaki, GERALUZ & WERC, IMVisible, Melisa Gerecci, Monifa Kincaid, Noelle Lorraine Williams, Ron Norsworthy, Yasmin De Jesus, Dahlia Elsayed, Gabriel Ribeiro, Gisela C. Ochoa, Jahi Kijo Lendor, RORSHACH, Kelley Prevard, Danielle Scott, and Shoshanna Weinberger. Projects have engaged local residents, students, and families, providing workshops, public programming, and free access to art experiences, reinforcing Audible’s commitment to a thriving and inclusive downtown Newark.