Artist Spotlight: Elijah Minton, Springfield Avenue Partnership Public Art Initiative
In continuing the Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture mission of ensuring inclusive and accessible art for all, this week’s featured artist is Elijah Minton with the Springfield Avenue Maplewood Public Art Program. Residents can safely enjoy public art while outdoors, maintaining physical distance.
Many Hands Make Light Work by Elijah Minton
Photo by Antonio Ramirez
Location: Maplewood Arts Center, 1978 Springfield Avenue
Inspired by the theme "Our Community Looking Forward" Elijah Minton used his memories and experiences working in Maplewood as a young teen. He was struck by the diversity of the community and, just as much, by how the community works together to lift all people, of all backgrounds and races to a better future.
Known as the Art Alchemist, Elijah Minton came here to do what he loves, which is to create art. He is a full time artist dedicated to working at his craft daily since 2014. His goal is to paint as big as possible and inspire others to chase their dreams along the way.
Many Hands Make Light Work, Closeup.
Photo by Antonio Ramirez
Born and raised in New Jersey, Elijah began his artistic journey in high school art classes. The skills came fluidly to him. Though Elijah started his post-graduate career as a pharmaceutical rep, he veered courses and began a pursuit of art through mediums of paint, marker and aerosol. This redirection was sparked by tragedy, after losing his best friend and taking the incident as a catalyst to step into purpose.
Alchemy in art represents transporting blank space into beauty and the internal process of coming into the identity of an artist and entrepreneur. Art has the power to transform and revitalize communities but first, it transforms the individual. It teaches to stand by your imagination with conviction.
Now, Elijah is a highly-sought after muralist with works spanning across the country. He looks forward to expanding his repertoire by gaining commissioned works in his style that allow him full creative freedom. Elijah is philanthropic in nature and looks forward to mentoring emerging muralists and to expanding the arts of Newark through his non-profit, the Newark Renaissance Foundation, and collaborations with key stakeholders.
Elijah shares his experience of working with Springfield Avenue Public Art Initiative: “It was a positive experience. The Initiative was open in giving me creative freedom which I appreciate and value greatly. It shows respect to the artist.”
Brokelyn, Acrylic, 36 diameter circular canvas. Photo by April Tracey
Revelations & Vaccinations, acrylic on canvas.
Selected as winner of #ArtFaceoffNMOA by the Newark Museum of Art. Inspired by Jo-el Lopez
Photographed by Elijah Minton
Coffee Shop Mural, A surrealist mural of a client’s cat located at Sober Shot in Jersey City, NJ
Photographed by Elijah Minton
Ego Death, a psychedelically-inspired mural for a smoke shope in Passaic, NJ.
Photo by Antonio Ramirez
Butterflies 30 x 40” Acrylic on canvas.
Photo by April Tracey
Autism
This mural was a donation to the autistic students at American History High School in Newark, NJ. This classroom was transformed into a school store for autistic students to gain working experience to prepare them for life after graduation!.
Photo by Elijah Minton
info@theartalchemist.com
Instagram: @theartalchemist
www.theartalchemist.com
Elijah Minton, Photo by Isis Darkes
Bloom Where You Are Planted
This mural was commissioned by the Township of Bloomfield in New Jersey. The Flowers breaking through concrete represent the strength it takes to grow regardless of where you are in life. The Stay Strong Mural was a refurbishment of an original mural.
Photo by Elijah Minton
The Springfield Avenue Partnership Public Art Initiative is working to bring art and visual interest to Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, NJ. Initially, we are working to bring murals to buildings and decorate the utility boxes along the avenue in the Spring of 2018. Over time we plan to bring additional art projects to the avenue in order to attract area residents to enjoy all that Springfield Avenue has to offer: food, retail shops, service businesses, cultural events, and more! Special thanks to our first Public Art sponsors: Wine Barrel and Maplewood Crossing | Elite Properties. To keep up to date with the Springfield Avenue Public Art Initiative please like our Facebook page: Springfield Avenue Public Art and our Instagram Page @publicart_sam.