5 Works Of Art To See In Bergen—FREE

Who says museums are the only place to see a masterpiece? Bergen streets are filled with artwork for everyone to enjoy.

We’re fortunate to live in an area that’s rich in art, from the grand museums in New York City to the outdoor venues in Hamilton, N.J. and in Orange County, N.Y. But why travel so far when there’s much to see in our own neighborhoods?

Bergen County is a gallery in itself, with sculptures, murals, statues and one-of-a-kind signs that can be admired for free. For instance, dozens of artists’ works are dispersed throughout Leonia as part of the Sculpture for Leonia campaign (pictured above). And the five pieces below are unassuming works of art that you might stumble upon during your daily commute or while shopping—in other words, have your camera phones handy because you’ll want to snap a few pics when you see them!

• The Borough of Fort Lee last week unveiled this mural by London-based artist Dan Kitchener. The freehand painting was created with spray paint and depicts an NYC streetscape.
  See it: 1637 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee
• The Demarest Place Walkway Mural is Hackensack’s version of the famed Asbury Park painting. Created by artist Damien Mitchell, the public art display depicts Hackensack’s contemporary history, with images like jazz legend John Coltrane and famed White Manna restaurant.
  See it: Demarest Place, Hackensack
• You can see Rosie the Riveter on more than just advertising campaigns and billboards. A bronze statue of the cultural icon (created by artist John Giannotti) stands outside the Avalon at Westmont Station in Wood-Ridge. You can’t miss her: She’s more than 6 feet tall and is wearing her familiar polka-dot bandana.
  See it: 100 Rosie Square, Wood-Ridge
• The name Paramus derives from the Lenni Lenape word meaning “land of the wild turkey,” so it’s only fitting that a sculpture of the bird appear in, where else, a shopping mall. A larger-than-life wild turkey designed out of metal by Christopher Parke has stood inside the Paramus Park Mall since it was built in 1974.
  See it: 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
• Few people remember the old River Barge Café which served customers along the banks of the Hackensack River in Carlstadt before closing in 2004. The restaurant is now gone, but the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission converted the site into a park and retained the old neon “Barge” sign on the property. It’s become an iconic site for those who frequent the Meadowlands area as well as shutterbugs and Instagrammers.
  See it: River Barge Park, 260 Outwater Ln., Carlstadt

What are your favorite public art displays in Bergen County? Let us know @bergenmagnj.