Picture of Inspiration: New Sports Mural Unveiled in New Brunswick

Martryce Roach, who developed a passion for athletics and the arts as a kid growing up in New Brunswick, said her wish is for the mural unveiled at Saturday’s dedication ceremony to inspire future generations of children.

Her inspiration, however, was the squeals of pure joy coming from young athletes as they played soccer on the nearby Youth Sports Complex fields.

She listened to their voices as she painted scenes of football players making lunging catches, softball players smacking home runs, and other athletic scenes that now adorn the side of the recreation department’s maintenance building on Joyce Kilmer Avenue.

“There was a tournament here while I was doing the mural and there were kids playing soccer games throughout the day,” Roach said on Saturday morning during the ceremony. “After the games, they all got trophies and they all wanted to line up and take pictures, and the mural wasn’t even finished yet.

“So, they lined up and took pictures in front of it,” she added. “It felt so good that they were so proud. I’m proud. They’re proud. It just felt so fulfilling.”

Roach, who played soccer and softball as a kid, and Michael Tublin of the city’s art department met with students at the city’s Teen Center to glean insights on what they would want to see in the mural.

That’s how seriously the city takes arts and athletics under Keith Jones II, the director of Human and Community Services, and Ivan Adorno, the superintendent of recreation.

Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, who represented Middlesex County – a frequent collaborator on art projects in the city - began a discussion about hometown heroes such as Eric Young. Young rose from the sandlots of Piscataway to spend 15 seasons in the major leagues.

Jones, a one-time formidable linebacker at New Brunswick High School, added the names of some of the city’s greatest athletes to the list, including football stars Dwayne Jarrett and Jonathan Casillas.

“It’s inspiring and motivating that we can all see ourselves in this mural, as well as we have representation that has gone on to higher levels and achieved things globally,” Jones said. “And that’s what this mural is meant to convey.”

Athletics aside, Mayor Jim Cahill seemed to be referring to recently completed murals featuring the lives of Paul Robeson, Alice Jennings Archibald, and others who have called the city home when he spoke about the power of art to spark action.

“The paintings and murals that have been dedicated throughout our city make profound statements that encourage the dialogue that we need in order to take action and to enact change,” he said. “So, today’s mural dedication ceremony will hopefully inspire others to join in that discussion and help make a better tomorrow for the generations of the future.”

The dozens of children who came out Saturday morning for the dedication of the mural were given free backpacks and candy, courtesy of Costco. Northeast Operation Regional Manager Carmen Otero, a member of the New Brunswick High School Class of 2007, helped distribute hundreds of backpacks along with Carrier Manager Kevin Price.

Story & Photo Credit: Chuck O'Donnell