GRAMMY Museum Experience™ Prudential Center along with proud founding partner, Prudential, the City of Newark, Yendor LLC and Al-Munir LLC partner to bring this “Paradise in the City” mural to Newark’s North Ward. This mural installation is the third of five murals in our series, which started with a mural of Wyclef Jean in Newark’s West Ward.
The Project
“Paradise in the City” celebrates Newark’s rich musical history by colorfully illustrating the many genres of the North ward. The GRAMMY Museum Experience™ Prudential Center partnered with Prudential, Al-Munir, the City of Newark, Lead Muralist Yasmin De Jesus and Assistant Muralist Matthew Purefoy to create this mural in an urban garden, Jannah on Grafton. This mural is third in a series being installed across all five wards, to inspire future artists to follow their dreams.
The Artist
Art has always been Yasmin De Jesus’ therapy. Growing up in the North Ward of Newark herself, De Jesus realized the power of her art. When asked about what her murals mean to her Yasmin said, “When you look at my art you are looking through my eyes, the window to my soul.” “Grafton is full of Afrocentric and Caribbean colors, music, and energy. So naturally, the design became a reflection of that community. Out of the dark background, colorful shapes and lines dance to the music, creating images of hip-hop dancers and Jazz musicians,” said Mural Artist, Yasmin De Jesus.
