Jacob Glazer.

The important message I tried to convey in this piece is rooted in hope. I wanted to demonstrate what is possible when we as a society prioritize the environment and allow our ecosystems to recover. At the heart of this illustration is a majestic buck, proudly standing as a symbol of strength and renewal for the natural world. Surrounding it are vibrant and exaggerated depictions of local New Jersey wildlife and flowers, chosen to show the audience how beautiful local nature is and how much more it could flourish with proper care and preservation. No New Jersey deer can grow antlers of such grand proportion, and bright orange trees like the ones drawn would likely be cut down to make room for housing, but these exaggerations demonstrate what could be if we focus on safeguarding the environment. 

This artwork also tells a story. The background hints at a time when human construction dominated the ecosystem. A rusting, broken bulldozer, a half-broken sign, and logs stuck in a river symbolize an era when overdevelopment dominated the landscape. These remnants are not the focus of the illustration- as they are now overshadowed by the thriving forest reclaiming its space. This juxtaposition emphasizes an important message: while the past cannot be erased, nature has an extraordinary capacity for recovery when given then change. This scene represents an earth where enough people came together, recognized the urgency for change, and acted to restore balance in nature. 

This piece speaks to an issue I am passionate about: protecting the environment and reversing the harm to nature caused by human activity. This is not a general topic to me, and I featured local wildlife and plants to foster a sense of pride in the natural beauty that surrounds us. This would serve as a daily reminder of what makes our Livingston environment special and our crucial shared responsibility to protect it. In my opinion, public art has the unique ability to foster conversation and inspire people to come together, and this piece would be a testament to the power of restoration and hope. By transforming a blank wall into a vibrant scene of renewal, this mural would symbolize Livingston’s commitment to protecting the environment. It would be a source of inspiration and education for generations, reminding everyone who sees it of the endless potential of nature - and of us - to create a better world.