The Project

Stepping Into Tomorrow was funded by a 2020 Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Grant. Trenton is one of 16 municipalities nationwide to receive funding in 2020 from Bloomberg Philanthropies for asphalt art projects. Request for Proposals was posted and three semi-finalists were selected to show their designs at a Virtual Public Presentation. George Bates’ design was selected and planning quickly took place for road closures, materials, and community involvement. After 16 hours on September 4 & 5, 2021, George Bates along with a team of artists, community members, students, and volunteers, installed the final design for the Stepping Into Tomorrow Asphalt Art Project at the Trenton Transit Center (the intersection of South Clinton Avenue and Barlow Street/Raoul Wallenberg Avenue). This project is a partnership between Artworks Trenton and The City of Trenton, made possible through funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Thank you also to NJ Transit and New Jersey Council on the Arts for participating in the Stepping Into Tomorrow Asphalt Art Project through your TRANSITional Art Project installed at the same intersection.

The Artist

Born in Newark, NJ and currently based in Ocean, NJ, George Bates’ public art projects are a direct outgrowth of his interest in exploring the plastic nature of systems, communities, complexities, aesthetics, and the realities and satisfactions of societal living in relation to art. His public art projects for the NYC MTA can be seen at the 36th Street, Rockaway, Queens and Central Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn subway stations completed respectively in hand painted and fired glass, and laser cut stainless steel. His work can also be seen all along the North Metro Line light-rail in Aurora, CO and a variety of public projects throughout the United States.

Website: https://www.georgebates.work/

The Design

Stepping Into Tomorrow’s intention was to acknowledge the incredible diversity this community offers to both those visiting and those who call Trenton home. In doing so, we wanted to give special attention to the younger generation in order to celebrate their strength, capability, and passion as they strive to make a difference in this world. The finished design includes ten silhouettes of students within the Trenton community, ranging from elementary school to college-aged, representing a passing of the torch this next generation and future leaders as they “step into tomorrow”.

This Project is funded through a Bloomberg Philanthropies Grant and in partnership with
The City of Trenton, NJ Transit, Artworks Trenton, and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.