This project was born from a call to artists to design and fabricate a temporary pavilion that will provide a space for readings, spoken word, poetry slams, etc. and must withstand the weather of Central NJ during July, August and September. It was placed in an alley between a parking lot and the town’s main street and was to activate this underused space.

The concept of the Portal was twofold: First, to appear as something that has crash-landed and would somehow transform people to somewhere else. And secondly, the colors and dripping paint were to represent the town’s diversity and welcoming spirit and to create a safe space for anyone who entered the portal.

The lighting was an added bonus as it wasn’t part of the brief for artists, but I wanted it to be used at all times of the day and ultimately as a stage as it was intended.

It now resides at a private residence.

During the COVID pandemic I was commissioned by the town of Metuchen to design and build an arch that could be used by the town to hang thank you notes to the nurses and other heroes fighting the pandemic. Instead, I proposed a letter M to be used for its intended purpose, but to also be used for the town of Metuchen’s branding and events beyond the pandemic.

Standing 8’ x 8’ x 1”, it is fabricated of welded steel painted with an outdoor industrial paint and was built in 3 sections so it could be broken down easily and moved to another location if needed.

It is prominently displayed in the town’s main plaza and has been seen in many of its videos.

For the Metuchen 2014 June Bug festival I was chosen to design and fabricate a sculpture for the weekly even during the month of June. The concept of the arch was an abstraction of DNA that was to be interactive. Patrons of the festival were able to leave their mark by writing notes or drawing pictures on “leaves” that were then hung on the arch. Over the month of June it seemingly grew more leaves.

The approximately 15’ x 20’ arch was constructed from recycled steel tubing and the “leaves” from recycled polyethylene tarps.

During the month-long event it was dubbed the “gateway to the arts” for Metuchen. It also was the first time a June Bug sculpture was displayed on the grounds of Borough Hall as well as asked to remain for the entire summer.