(VINELAND, NJ) -- Main Street Vineland will unveil plans for its next downtown mural, part of the Urban Canvases on The Ave Mural Project, at a press conference to take place on Thursday, May 6 at 11:00am at 636 E. Landis Ave., Vineland, where the mural is to be painted.

The muralist, celebrated artist Erin DiPalma will be present, as well as representatives from the City and Main Street Vineland. The public is also invited.

The mural pays tribute to Vineland’s rich agriculture heritage, as well as downtown Vineland’s abundance of restaurants offering a variety of native and ethnic cuisines.

“At the very surface, this mural depicts a colorful variety of fresh fruits and Jersey vegetables, with a cafe, chalkboard type design,” DiPalma said about the mural’s concept, “but a deeper look following the completion of this 1,800 square foot mural you will soon find that this IS Main Street Vineland, where on "The Ave" you can experience a colorful and exciting variety of indoor dining options to enjoy on Landis Avenue.”  

“Food has a strong connection with Vineland and our downtown—The Ave—and this mural will pay homage to that connection,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson. “The many farms in and around Vineland are responsible for much of the area’s fruits and vegetables. In addition, it is symbolic that the building on which the mural is being painted has long been a restaurant, as we pride ourselves on the variety of restaurants on The Ave that serve genuine ethnic cuisine. All of this is part of the mural’s theme.

DiPalma, long time resident of Vineland, stated that she has a passion for art—especially, bringing a space to life, and setting a tone with her mural work.

“This project is special to me because it will enhance the town that I grew up in and promote small business, which is the heart of any town,” she said. 

This mural is the latest in Main Street Vineland’s Urban Canvases on The Ave mural project, in which the sides of selected buildings will be used as “canvases” to help beautify and add creative spirit to The Ave. The murals will be the work of artists and also as community projects.

A mural on the side of the building at 616 E. Landis Avenue was a community project through Appel Farm Arts & Music Center in 2011. This was followed in 2019 by a military-themed mural by renowned artist George Perez on the side of the building at 433-435 W. Landis Avenue, overlooking the southwest mini-park.

“Murals have been used to beautify buildings in cities and towns across the country. These ‘urban canvasses’ add to the richness and flavor of a city’s heritage and allow talented artists to display their talent and creativity while adding to the historical value of buildings,” said Main Street Vineland Associate Director Robert Scarpa.

The project has been helped by the generosity of grantors, who have contributed funds or serves. The Cumberland County Cultural & Heritage Commission/Department of State and Ace Hardware have generous grantors for the present mural.

For more information on this and all Main Street Vineland events and projects, call the Main Street Vineland office at 856-794-8653, visit the organization’s website at www.TheAve.biz, or visit the organization’s Facebook page.