The Arts in Glassboro

Recognizing that art is integral to the vibrancy of the Glassboro. Artists and the arts community make important contributions directly and indirectly to the prosperity of the economy. The creative and innovation nature of artistic pursuits is one of the elements central to the quality of life in Glassboro. As a creative municipality, Glassboro recognizes that the cultivation of art is important to social cohesion and community development which are necessary for a healthy society. To get involved with the arts, please reach out to the Creative Glassboro Advisory Board, a community group that is dedicated to making Glassboro a welcoming, vibrant, and joyful arts and culture destination for the South Jersey Region and beyond. Learn more about the Creative Glassboro Advisory Board here.

Seward Johnson Sculptures

In the Fall of 2023, the Borough of Glassboro, in conjunction with Nexus Properties, announced the installation of six life-like sculptures on Rowan Blvd. and throughout Town Square. The sculptures depicting everyday life, will be the first installation of a rolling Seward Johnson Sculptures Walking Tour in Glassboro, NJ. A map describing the statues and their location is available here.

Experience the Walking Tour - Our tour is a self-guided, exploration of Seward's sculptures along Rowan Blvd. and into Town Square. The tour is designed in a sequence that travels from 220 Rowan Blvd. up into Glassboro’s Town Square but can be started at any location, or navigated in reverse order. During your walk, enjoy the flavors of Rowan Blvd. with a fresh, authentic dinner at Mexican Mariachi Grill y Tequila Bar or South Philadelphia inspired, LaScala’s Fire. After dinner, indulge in a craft beer or cigar from Axe and Arrow and Havanos Cigars On The Square. Before you leave, stop at family favorite Cookie Munchers and delight your little ones with a cookie the size of their face!

Seward Johnson, Time’s Up, ©1983 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by Ken Ek

Glassboro Legacy Mural

In 2019, the Borough of Glassboro commissioned a legacy mural to be made for the Town Square. Glassboro dedicated its first public art mural which highlights iconic figures, places, and events from Glassboro’s cultural heritage on July 15, 2021, in the Glassboro Town Square. Located on the exterior wall of the restroom pavilion on the Southside area of the Glassboro Town Square visible from High Street, The Glassboro Legacy Mural represents the historical arc of the Borough of Glassboro highlighting significant events, places, and people from the first inhabitants to our agricultural legacy and on to our growing diverse population. The Mural contains important landmarks such as Angelo's Diner, The Glassboro Historic Train Station, and the Elsmere neighborhood. Technology is integrated for viewers of the mural to access videos about significant events by scanning QR codes that are incorporated in the design and it will feature a glass mosaic in honor of our glassmaking heritage.

Glassblower Bronze Statue

In 2018, the Borough of Glassboro commissioned a bronze statue of our namesake, the Glassblower, to be made for the Town Square. Glassblowing is a glass forming technique that involves inflating molten glass into a bubble (or parison), with the aid of a blowpipe (or blow tube). A person who blows glass is called a glassblower, glassmith, or gaffer. Glassboro's early history was built on the manufacturing of glass. The town was first established in 1779 by Solomon Stanger as "Glass Works in the Woods.” The sand in the area proved perfect to create glass, and the oak trees in the area were able to fuel the production. Glassboro's proximity to Philadelphia also made it an ideal location to be the heart of the Glass Industry in South Jersey and to allow the Glass Works to become a leader in the production of glass.

Glassboro: Vibrant Future

Another addition in 2018, was our Glassboro: Vibrant Future mural created locally by William Butler. William’s objective for this painting was to create an artwork celebrating Glassboro’s historical and industrial past, its growing and thriving present, and the city’s vibrant and exciting future.

The first layer in the painting is the Borough of Glassboro logo which reflects the beautiful community of Glassboro focused on its innovative future. The bright color of green in the Glassboro logo and throughout the painting emphasizes the positive transformation and vibrancy of Glassboro as well as the importance of Glassboro’s nature and the environment. The second layer includes the words Live, Thrive, Love, Create, and Grow. These are inspiring words which represent the Glassboro experience. These words were created vertically on the canvas so they depict the increase and vibrant future for those in the city.

The next layer depicts four glassblowers which represent the importance of the manufacturing of glass historically to the Borough of Glassboro. These artistic figures reveal the manner in which glass was blown to create beautiful works of art. The finished composition is a mosaic of vivid color, line, and a pattern resembling the beautiful glass created in the past as well as the innovative art created now and in the future. This colorful mosaic reflects the beauty and diversity of Glassboro.

This painting unites the historical importance of the manufacturing of glass from the past to Glassboro’s emphasis on the arts and culture now and in the future. The bright colors, lines, and patterns shine the future of Glassboro which is an exciting tapestry uniting and lifting all in the city including government, business, education, technology, and the arts.

This painting can be viewed anytime inside of Borough Hall. We encourage you to enjoy, reflect and take selfies and pictures of this beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork that captures Glassboro, past and present.

Isaiah Zagar Mosaic Mural

In June of 2017, Creative Glassboro in cooperation with the Mosaic Family Success Center and Rowan University College of Communication and Creative Arts created a mosaic mural project led by world renown artist Isaiah Zagar on the façade of the Glassboro Center at 110 East High Street. The mural project had been planned by the partners since October of 2016 and came to fruition with additional support of the Borough Town Council and Community Businesses who have provided the funding and materials for the project. Mosaic Family Success Center is a mainstay of both the community of Glassboro and the Arts and Entertainment District on East High Street. The mosaic project involves the community in a creative placemaking project that will establish the identity of the Center and its commitment to enhancing the quality of life through creativity and the arts.