World Renowned Artist to Create Mosaic on Keyport Waterfront

Keyport will soon have a new piece of public art along the Waterfront near Broad Street, according to the president of the Arts Society of Keyport, Mary Ann McKay.

The Arts Society of Keyport (ASK), a non-profict organization, commissioned internationally known artist Isaiah Zagar to design a mosaic mural, McKay said.

The mural, which consists of five large pieces, will reflect Keyport's history and include steamboats, oyster shells and sea birds.

Placing visual art in public areas is part of ASK's mission. Last year, ASK created and designed five mosaic recycling bins and donated them to Keyport. They now rest near the waterfront and the mural is considered an extension of that project.

Their dedication to public art is what helped ASK and Zagar agree to partner on this project.

“Zagar was impressed with 
our organization’s mosaic recycling bin project; this was instrumental in his decision to come to Keyport,”   
said McKay. According to her, Zagar was selected for the project because of his unique approach which includes community involvement coupled with an educational component.

The mural will be created and installed by Zagar and a group of volunteers over a five day period beginning Sept. 29

"The response has been amazing, considering how many people signed up to help. [ASK] is about community involvement. It's lasting public art by the community for the community," McKay said.

The artwork is funded by the Keyport Business Association, a small grant from the Monmouth County Arts Council, private donations and donations from organizations within the community.

If you would like to make a donation to the project, contact Mary Ann McKay at 732-441-3937 or marannmckay@yahoo.com. Head down to the waterfront on Broad Street in Keyport between Sept. 29 and Oct. 3 to see this project come to life.