Drawn from rare photos and other historical documents, Bryan Zanisnik's Silk Monument explores a significant but little-known chapter in Summit history—the role Armenian and Syrian immigrants played in the local silk industry. From this multi-layered collage a portrait emerges of a community rich in history and diversity. Location: Village Green near the corner of Broad and Maple Street across from the Summit post office.

Inspired by Senufo sculpture, this figurative bronze demonstrates acclaimed artist Willie Cole's fondness for taking ordinary objects and recasting them in a “tribal narrative.” Modeled entirely from used shoes, the kneeling, full-bodied figure embodies the “fantasy that high heels have always made it their business to promote.” Location: Village Green near the Summit train station.

This site-specific sculpture is meant to evoke what artist Karlis Rekevics calls “the unlovelier parts of the man-made environment which we habitually encounter but almost never register.” Drawing on the urban architecture of both his own Brooklyn neighborhood and downtown Summit, Rekevics has produced a work “rooted in real experience” but “tempered by recollection.” Location: Village Green near Summit Avenue.

These meticulously collected assemblages of found objects reference both the traumatic events of the past year and artist Theda Sandiford's own attempts to deal with them through her art. “We all carry emotional baggage,” Sandiford explains. “We have the choice to let it define us or to let it go and move forward.” Location: Village Green near Maple St. across from the Summit Y.

Located along the Summit Park Line, Shared Air draws attention to the critical role that trees play as “the lungs of the world.” At a time when being able to breathe is on many people’s minds, these pairs of lung-shaped silhouettes, interspersed among the trees behind Overlook Medical Center, remind us how essential both medicine and the environment are to our survival. The sculpture is dedicated to Overlook President Alan Lieber and to all the AHS healthcare employees who valiantly battled the pandemic. Location: Summit Park Line behind Overlook Medical Center, 10 Upper Overlook Road near Morris Avenue.

Designed to look like imaginary Instagram posts between three iconic artists and their contemporaries, these interactive artworks invite us to reflect on the relationship between art and social media. Asking “What if Instagram had always existed?”, each post pays tribute to the artist while exploring the impact of viewing art on a screen. Location: MONDO building on the Summit Promenade, 426 Springfield Avenue.

These uplifting and visually appealing light displays can be seen at prominent landmarks around Summit. The displays change color to mark special occasions and to honor members of the Summit community. Location: City Hall (by Morris Avenue) and at the roundabout across from the Summit train station.

Brooklyn-based artist Tom Fruin’s illuminated “light houses” have been exhibited in cities around the world, from Buenos Aires to Copenhagen to New York. Made of recycled plexiglass, Fruin’s Maxikiosco becomes a kaleidoscope of color during the day and a beacon of light at night. Catch it after dark to see the lights! Location: Summit City Hall at 512 Springfield Avenue.

Since painting her first mural in New York’s Nolita neighborhood in 2014, artist Kelsey Montague has painted hundreds of murals on six continents and in dozens of cities across the globe. One of a series of her signature What Lifts You murals, this specially-commissioned pair of wings incorporates a number of features characteristic of Summit: a shade tree (for the city’s many parks and tree-lined streets), a train (for Summit’s Midtown Direct line to NYC), and a large sunflower (a nod to the sunflower patch growing nearby). Try on the wings yourself and snap a photo while you’re there! Location: Look for it on the wall behind Bar Bacoa restaurant, where Maple Street meets Deforest Avenue. 

This large-scale mural of a Great Blue Heron occupies the wall at Lyric Park with a commanding presence. Under its watchful eye, a dreamlike cityscape unfolds just beyond the nest of its feathers. Location: Lyric Park, where Beechwood Avenue meets Bank Street.

Stretching across four floors, this sprawling mural, with its colorfully-patterned diagonal stripes, has transformed the facade of Summit's Springfield Avenue parking tier into a dynamic, eye-catching space. Artist Hellbent (JMikal Davis) describes his approach as "taking a vast array of colors and patterns and making them work together, which I think is what anyone wants from a community." Location: Springfield Avenue Tier Garage.

In April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey, Summit Public Art commissioned artist Joanie Schwarz to collaborate on an online photo series to capture this unprecedented moment in our city’s history. The result was a moving and inspiring work that reflected both the uncertainty of the time and the resilience of the Summit community. The online series has now become a new exhibit that features more than two dozen photographs, including some not previously seen online. Location: Summit Public Library, 75 Maple Street.

Artist Douwe Blumberg's homage to this city of trees greets visitors at the Gateway to Summit. Says Blumberg: "When I do a piece, my goal is to capture something special in it. I'm not interested in 'pretty.' I want a spark of life." Location: Down the hill from town where Broad Street meets Dayton Road.

Stained glass panels inspired by cherry blossoms in full bloom at Summit's Reeves Reed Arboretum. Location: Bus Stop where Broad Street meets Railroad Avenue.

Stained glass panels of abstract leaves referencing spring and fall. Location: Bus Stop where Broad Street meets Summit Avenue.

Stained glass panels of crisp, colorful abstract forms reference a city's rhythms, momentum, and diversity. Location: Bus Stop where Maple meets Broad Street.