Freehold Students Attend Mural Park Orientation

Freehold High School art students gathered at the abandoned gas station on Main Street and Spring Street Thursday in hopes of leaving a mark on their hometown.  

About 20 students participated in the Freehold Borough Arts Council’s (FBAC) Artist in Residence Mural Park Orientation. The teens who signed up will help a master muralist prepare the site and paint the mural in July. In addition, the students will help direct a community paint day in which younger children and Freehold residents will gather to contribute to the mural.

“We’re graduating, but we’re staying here in the art work,” said Jen Messink, 18.

Nicole Mezaros, 18, was excited to contribute to something that will be seen and enjoyed by the rest of the community. She noted that a mural at the site could potentially make the location a gathering place.

“So many people in the borough would use it,” Mezaros said.

During the orientation, FBAC member Jeff Friedman gave students an overview of which sections of the former gas station would be painted. For example, the wall next to Tony’s Freehold Grill that once featured a clock will have lattice placed over it that could be painted and adorned with plants. Friedman noted that different pieces of the mural could be removed and placed throughout town should the site eventually be redeveloped.

The orientation featured live music by Sal Aversano and pizza from Stefano’s Pizzeria. The 33 East Car Wash provided car wash gift certificates for students participating in the mural project.