Perth Amboy’s Art Mural Honors the Beauty and

Resilience of the City’s Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Everyone Invited to View the Newest Public Art of the Community’s Flower: The Morning Glory

Press Release 11/2020

PERTH AMBOY, N.J. – The City of Perth Amboy recently revealed a beautiful art mural of the morning glory flower, which is the community’s official flower. The mural is dedicated to the community’s residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the artwork represents their beauty and resilience. The city placed a plaque by the mural that states the artwork “is symbolic of the people of our great city, ranging in different variations and colors and thriving in different environments.”

The new public artwork in the downtown business district was created by renowned mural artiest Emilio Florentine. Everyone is invited to view the morning glory mural that dramatically enhances a large wall of a building at 86 Smith St. (near the intersection with High Street).

After presenting the mural, Mayor Wilda Diaz said, “This is a joyous occasion, especially for our city that has a rich history of supporting the arts and culture. We know that the arts are a proven economic engine that helps draw residents and visitors to our downtown. From the newest public artwork and to our many cultural initiatives, it’s pretty apparent that Perth Amboy has a heart for the arts.”

The city, its Office of Economic and Community Development and the Business Improvement District (BID) worked together to secure grants from New Jersey’s Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP). The city received a $550,000 NPP grant that will be funded by the state over a five-year period. The first phase of the grant — $126,000 – was awarded in 2020 and those resources funded the morning glory mural and such planned streetscape improvements as benches, more trees and regular sidewalk cleaning. 

Prior to unveiling, Perth Amboy’s Municipal Deputy Department Head Tashi Vazquez recognized the efforts of the Maritza Rodriguez, the OEDC’s business manager, Noelia Colon, executive director of the BID, and Barry Rosengarten, BID Chairman. Vazquez also thanked Rashnil and Marina Zakharyayev, who own the building on which the mural was painted, and Mayor Diaz.

Vazquez noted that, “Mayor Diaz’s administration has consistently supported the arts over the past 12 years. The Mayor’s team fostered development of the Perth Amboy Community Theater, plus the city’s annual Arts Festival and Concerts by the Bay as well as the Art & Flow open air performances. The mayor’s team also coordinates the staging of displays at the city’s Art Gallery and formed the Arts Council.”

Colon shared “it is important to partner and leverage state and local resources to continue improving and beautifying our downtown district, so that we can draw shoppers, diners and art enthusiasts to the district—refueling our local economy.”

A plaque was on display during the reveal ceremonies and will be mounted on the wall near the mural. One reminds viewers that Perth Amboy’s City Council adopted the morning glory as its symbolic flower. Additionally, a plaque pays tribute to the Zakharyayevs for allowing the city to use their property to display the artwork.

Perth Amboy issued a “Call for Artists” in June 2020 to create an original outdoor mural in the city’s downtown district.

Renowned Mural Artist Florentine (whose real name is Corey Fleming but paints under the Florentine name) has been creating street-scene murals for more than a decade. Flowers is the subject that is featured in the artist’s murals. According to the artist’s website: Florentine’s floral murals can be seen from Puerto Rico to Los Angeles and in Jersey City.

PERTH AMBOY – The City of Perth Amboy recently revealed its “Morning Glory” mural, by artist Emilio Florentine, which is dedicated to community’s residents during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The mural’s artwork represents the beauty and resilience of the people of Perth Amboy. The Morning Glory was selected as the city’s official flower in 1999. The plaque by the mural carries this inscription: “The Morning Glory is symbolic of the people of our great city, ranging in different variations and colors and thriving in different environments. The mural is located at 86 Smith Street (near the intersection with High Street). *Photos by the Perth Amboy BID