CAMDEN, N.J. — A July 29 ribbon-cutting event celebrated the community trash art project completed in the heart of the city here, with help from St. Anthony of Padua Church.
A colorful wall mosaic featuring a community notice board is displayed on an exterior wall of a restaurant in the Cramer Hill neighborhood of St. Anthony, where Jud Weiksnar, OFM, is pastor. The project is a collaborative between the Cramer Hill Community Development Corporation (CDC) and St. Anthony’s TAP ‘n Community program. TAP stands for Trash Art Program.
This art is meant to attract concerned people to continue the “great developments happening in the neighborhood,” said Daniel Bourdua, former director of TAP. He established the parish program for community youth more than two years ago, while a member of the Province’s Franciscan Volunteer Ministry. He has since moved to Georgia.
St. Anthony of Padua’s arts program brings arts education to children in the community. Together, groups created an eye-catching public piece of art that visually improves the neighborhood. More than 190 children met weekly during the school year as part of TAP.
Lori Springer, development director of St. Anthony of Padua, participated in the ribbon cutting.
The photo above, showing the mosaic, appeared in a news release issued last month by the Cramer Hill CDC.
— Jocelyn Thomas is the Province’s director of communications.