FBAC Announces Plans for Mural Park Project

The vacant gas station at the intersection of Main St. and Spring St. will get a facelift this summer. Neal Girandola, president of the Freehold Borough Arts Council (FBAC), presented plans for a mural park project at the site during Monday’s Borough Council meeting.

“This mural would be the artistic gateway to the community,” Girandola said. “We want to create a space for cultural inspiration.”

The FBAC obtained permission from the owner of 63 E. Main St. as well as the management company to install the mural and reached out to Freehold community groups and businesses while developing plans for the project, Girandola said.  The arts council is currently in the process of selecting a master muralist to oversee the project. Currently, the FBAC is considering seven possible candidates, three of whom are local artists.

However, the vision for the mural would come from Freehold residents.

Girandola said residents would be invited to participate in an essay contest describing the look they would like to see for the mural. A VIP Mural Selection Committee comprised of Girandola, Lynn Reich, J. Nolan Higgins, Dan Finaldi and Richard Gatto would choose the best essay; the master muralist would integrate the winning essayist’s ideas into the design.

Freehold High School art students, under the guidance of the master muralist, would paint on panels covering the 160-foot by 18-foot exterior of the building. These panels could be relocated if the building were to be demolished or occupied, Girandola said. He visited the high school last week and spoke to the art students about the project; the FBAC anticipated needing 12 students to participate, but 40 signed up.

“These students really want to be a part of the community,” Girandola said.

Reaction from other members of the community has been equally positive, according to FBAC member Samantha Daesner. She said the FBAC has met or spoken to representatives from the Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Freehold Borough Education Foundation, the Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center, and Tony’s Diner and all have voiced support for the proposal.

Jeff Friedman, an FBAC member and a representative on the Freehold Borough Historic Preservation Committee, said the project would fall in line with the state master plan because if would broaden the base of community involvement and rehabilitate the property.

The Borough Council voted unanimously to allow the FBAC to pursue the mural park project.