Huge Mural Of Whitney Houston Is Underway In Newark – Newark, NJ Patch

Now, the city is preparing to welcome its latest addition to the vast, visual landscape that is the Brick City: a huge mural of Whitney Houston.

On Monday, sponsors announced plans to create a mosaic tribute to the beloved music icon, who was born in Newark, attended Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell and was also a resident of East Orange and Mendham Township.

The homage to Houston will be located at 45 Williams Street and placed on the façade of William House, a new mixed-use project.

Installment of the 19 by 28-foot mural began in mid-October, with a virtual unveiling event set for late November. When complete, the massive artwork will include more than 1,000 pounds of hand-cut glass.

The artist, Maude Lemaire, may be a familiar name to some art lovers in North Jersey. She’s previously been commissioned by Newark and Jersey City to create and install mosaic works in several locations in both cities.

“Having a presence in Newark is certainly an honor for Whitney’s Legacy,” said Pat Houston, executor of the estate of Whitney E. Houston.

“This mural represents a continuation of an iconic legend who undoubtedly will be remembered as the greatest voice for centuries to come,” Houston said.

The Prudential Center offered the following biography of the singer, who died in 2012:

“Houston has sold over 200 million combined albums, singles and videos internationally throughout her career with Arista Records and is the only artist to chart seven consecutive #1 Billboard Hot 100 songs including “Saving All My Love For You”, “How Will I Know”, “Greatest Love Of All”, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”, “So Emotional” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”. Houston was also the first woman to enter the Billboard 200 album chart at #1 with her second album, Whitney. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time releasing seven studio albums and two soundtrack albums all that have been certified diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Whitney is a 2020 inductee into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which will broadcast on November 7 on HBO and an estate-sanctioned biopic is currently being planned for a 2022 release.”

Natasha Moody, a senior vice president at the Prudential Center, said it was an honor to bring the mural to life in Newark’s Central Ward alongside Prudential Financial Inc., the City of Newark, the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Baldwin Equities and Newark Arts.

“Whitney Houston’s dynamic career remains one of the most decorated in music history and her connection to and impact on the city of Newark will forever be celebrated,” Moody said.

Councilwoman LaMonica McIver, who represents the Central Ward of the city, said that as a member of the New Hope Baptist Church – where Houston sang in the choir – she was thrilled and honored to learn about plans for the mural.

“This dedication has been in the works for a very long time and is long overdue,” McIver said. “Whitney Houston is an icon to the world and especially to us here in Newark. This honor is so well-deserved.”

Mayor Ras Baraka called Houston one of the “most legendary figures” in a city with a long history of distinct voices.

“Her voice may have come only once in a lifetime, but her songs and her sound will move and inspire generations for years to come,” Baraka said. “Creating a mural in her honor in her native city not only recognizes her great talent but enables today’s talent to shine, adding new pages to our artistic history.”

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