Adam Gustavson Mural at Highland Station is Up and Beautiful

Adam Gustavson has designed a mural for the Highland Avenue train station in Orange, NJ, reflecting the era when the Valley neighborhood was called “the hat making capital of the world”. According to Adam: “My intention was to produce the mural as a painting on or affixed to the supplied metal panels, with the intention of celebrating our area with an actual painting, as opposed to a printed reproduction."

"By concentrating on the varied hats, scarves and wraps, we can detect hints at each person's ethnic or religious background, but each is a portrait of individuality that ultimately obscures any reference to socioeconomic status, profession, or place of origin. Each hat represents a link to a history that may even predate the fedoras and feathers of the past, while still holding onto its own modern relevance. By concentrating on the varied hats, scarves and wraps, we can detect hints at each person's ethnic or religious background, but each is a portrait of individuality that ultimately obscures any reference to socioeconomic status, profession, or place of origin. Each hat represents a link to a history that may even predate the fedoras and feathers of the past, while still holding onto its own modern relevance. "

For those that don't know Orange, NJ was actually the center of the hat industry in the 19th Century. It was one of the largest employers in the area, manufacturing over four million hats, and saw the start of the great Stetson & Company among others. Hence the murals reference to hats.

According to ValleyArts Gallery "The Gateway Mural will mark the entrance to the Valley Arts District on Freeman Street and Scotland Road next to the Highland train station and depicts the spirit and vibrancy of the Valley Arts District in a way that is meaningful to residents and visitors."

It's a beauty and next time you head north on Scotland Road, look to your left as you approach Highland Station. It's gorgeous.

About Adam Gustavson

Adam Gustavson's paintings and drawings have appeared in over thirty highly praised and award winning books for children, as well as magazines, educational materials, advertising campaigns and galleries. He holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and a BFA from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ.

His career in art education has led him to serve on the faculty of Seton Hall University and Philadelphia's University of the Arts. Since 2014, he has co-owned the Renaissance Art Studio in Millburn, NJ, with his wife (and manager) Denise, offering individual art lessons in a variety of media.

Contact: adam@adamgustavson.com

Adam G the blues playing bass guitar player that I know is the epitome of being a Jazz Blues and Art Renaissance man. He just does it all.

Artist and Blues Musician: Adam Gustavson

South Orange Patch Mayor and Live Music Ambassador: Gregory Burrus