The Jersey Fresh Jam, held at the global environmental organization TerraCycle in Trenton and now in its fifteenth year, is the longest running graffiti art event in New Jersey. It is noted for gathering top artists and for creating an atmosphere of camaraderie.
This year’s event took place September 12, 2020 and showcased more than 20 artists from as far away as Australia and Spain as well as from many states including Texas, Vermont, and Pennsylvania, as well as Trenton itself.
During the event, every artist stakes their claim to a section of the exterior walls and sets about transforming a once blank cinder block wall into a piece of art with their own individual style.
The Jam has seen some changes over time but has a throwback to the early 1980s as multiple DJs spin a plethora of hip-hop music throughout the day.
This year’s Jersey Fresh Jam at Terracycle in Trenton attracted graffiti artists from as far away as Australia to participate in a day-long art work collaboration. Above: Before there was covid-19 there was fume from spray paint which require graffiti artists to wear industrial strength face masks to protect their health. PHOTO: Jason Norton
Event organizer and graffiti artist Leon “Rain” Rainbow–a MCCC alumn who has previously been profiled in The VOICE–says of the event, “It’s a celebration of Hip-Hop” where artist can come together and celebrate that influence in their lives.
Spectators watch the artists as they progress from a sketch on the wall to the last drop of paint when the piece is finished. Locals are apt to see the evidence of the event by driving or walking by but may never see the artists behind the face masks used to protect them from spray paint fumes.
Nathan Nordstrom, a graffiti artist from Texas who goes by the name “Sloke” said of this year’s event, “It was chill, laid back. No one was ego trippin’. No drama. Respect all around. Not competitive.”
He says he looks forward to coming back to Trenton next year to get down on the wall again and meeting new artists. The event brings community and artists together in a peaceful open outside setting while being able to appreciate graffiti art up close and personal. The open setting works well for the social distancing precautions needed to handle coronavirus.
Jam DJ known as “It’s Just Ahmad” who has been spinning his turntables for the event since 2010 says, “The graffiti is like hieroglyphics for an urban community.” He describes how the artform has its origins in ancient Egyptian art with writings and carvings on the walls.
It’s Just Ahmad says he plans for the event a year in advance and that it is always a highlight for him being able to witness all the creativity and community engagement coming together to celebrate art in the city of Trenton where such positivity is lacking.
Jim Gordon a Trenton resident and volunteer at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (aka TASK) and for A-Team which is a group of local artists that attends the Jersey Fresh Jam every year says he was to see the new wave of graffiti artist.
Gordon says of Jersey Fresh Jam, “The vitality and energy that [the event] brings to the city of Trenton is for everyone to have a place to engage and experience the positivity of graffiti art, which usually receives a bad reputation.”
The energy Gordon describes can be heard and seen as one navigates through the maze of scaffolding and onlookers with attentive eyes and positive words of reinforcement bouncing back and forth from each artist.
Reese Yarbrough who attended the event as a family gathering with her 12-year-old son and her brother who attends the School of Visual Arts in New York, said she appreciates the “amazing exposure it offers for my son to see creativity in this type of up-close atmosphere and the opportunity for my brother to take some photos he can use to build portfolio.”
Yarbrough added that they don’t miss the event, ever.
Photographer Habiyb Shu’aib described the event saying, “Being exposed at a young age has allowed me to see graffiti as art, while some find it difficult to do so.” The photos he takes he says help to improve his craft of photography on an individual level. He shares his work with the Trenton Photo Club.
The careful planning by each graffiti artist that goes into every detail and letter helps dispel stereotypes that people often hold about graffiti as a form of vandalism rather than art.
While once graffiti tags lowered the property values these days there has been a shift. Having sought after artists create graffiti murals on a building can actually increase its value.
