The Exchange Place Alliance has commissioned six new public sculptures to be installed throughout the Special Improvement District this year.
Selected from a competitive pool of local, regional, and international artists, these works will enhance public space with creativity, culture, and opportunities for reflection. This will bring the number of sculptures throughout the Alliance’s district to 15.
A selection committee composed of arts professionals, city representatives and members of the Exchange Place Alliance evaluated submissions based on artistic excellence, originality, and community impact. The sculptures will be installed throughout key pedestrian areas within the district, with completion anticipated by the end of 2025.
“Public art plays a crucial role in shaping a city’s identity,” Alliance Executive Director Deidre Reynolds said. “We have worked hard to match the culture of Jersey City to the art we have installed. Our public art initiative is meant to bring inspiration to our daily lives while celebrating the artists who make our community special.”
A look at the selected sculptures and artists
“Puppy Love” by Will Kurtz (108 1st Street – Oval Seating Area): A whimsical, life-sized sculpture of playful dogs, crafted from intricately layered materials, celebrating joy and companionship. A former landscape architect, Kurtz discovered his passion for art in his thirties, later earning an MFA from the New York Academy of Art. His work has been exhibited internationally and is represented by galleries in New York, Miami, Paris, and Antwerp.
“Blooming Reflection” by Lee Tal: A mirrored steel floral installation that captures and reflects the surrounding environment, symbolizing growth and transformation. Tal, a Jersey City–based multidisciplinary artist, is known for integrating industrial materials with organic forms in large-scale public art.
“Jersey Love” by Alvin Pettit: A tribute to Jersey City’s resilience and diversity, featuring interwoven cultural symbols representing the city’s immigrant communities. A Baltimore native now based in Jersey City, Pettit has worked in figurative fine arts for over 30 years. His notable public works include sculptures of Mary McLeod Bethune (Jersey City), Harriet Tubman (Philadelphia), and Marsha P. Johnson (Hoboken).
“Swallow’s Flight” by Alex Lidagovsky: A poetic sculpture portraying a woman in an arabesque pose, symbolizing the delicate balance between past, present, and future. Ukrainian sculptor Alex Lidagovsky, who fled Kyiv after his studio was destroyed during the Russian invasion, is a member of the Royal Society of British Artists. His work has received international recognition through exhibitions and awards in the UK and Italy.
“Convergence” by Elaine Lorenz: A bold abstract piece illustrating the intersection of nature, community, and urban life. Made from steel rebar, wire mesh, and cement, the sculpture will be finished in a multi-layered satin faux style to ensure durability and deter graffiti. Lorenz, Professor Emeritus at William Paterson University, has exhibited her nature-inspired abstract works nationally and received prestigious awards from the NJ State Council on the Arts and the MacDowell Colony.
“Lacework Memorial” by Tasha Lewis: A delicate yet powerful piece honoring Jersey City’s industrial past, featuring three stacked columns of cast concrete and resin vases, some encased in bronze lacework. Inspired by her great-great-grandmother’s lace-making, Lewis combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary digital techniques. She has been featured in Smithsonian exhibitions and is known for her intricate, hand-crafted assemblages.
