On Tuesday, KIPP THRIVE Academy, a K-4th-grade school located in the Central Ward, unveiled a beautiful mural titled “We are Newark” on the second floor of the school building.
According to officials the artist, Suliman Onque, is a parent at KIPP THRIVE Academy and a widely recognized, multi-talented Newark, NJ-born artist with a strong passion for all forms of art.
Officlas say, over the course of many weeks he worked with students and staff at the school on the piece to capture the spirit of Newark and help instill community pride in the students. The mural includes major Newark landmarks, imagery from the classroom, and portraits of some of the students and teachers in the school.
Mr. Onque teaches art classes - drawing, painting, wearable art, comic book illustration, Photoshop, and more - to youth and adults and his work can be seen throughout the city of Newark.
“To be able to complete this mural for KIPP THRIVE Academy where my daughter attends school is very rewarding. This mural is more than a picture on a wall. It shows our children the power and greatness they have within them already and my hope is that it instills a deeper message of Newark pride and the importance of creating a legacy in their community" Suliman Onque said.
In a statement released by KIPP, officials praised the collaborative project and boasted its excellence.
“From one small conversation, we have this beautiful piece of artwork that represents the city of Newark and KIPP THRIVE Academy. This project embraces our community’s cultural heritage and pride through the school’s mission to enhance academics, unity, and civic engagement. We are grateful to Mr. Onque for lending his talents and time to make this project possible. This mural is truly a testament to the power of art and community and will serve to inspire our students for years to come.” Modiegi Notoane-Eugene, School Leader.
Officials say KIPP THRIVE Academy is part of the KIPP New Jersey network of public schools and serves 561 students in grades K-4. 90% of KIPP THRIVE students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.