“LIVE FOR TODAY”: The Arts Council of Princeton adds to their public art presence with a new community mural on the corner of Spring and Witherspoon streets. Designed and painted by artist Leon Rainbow, it is an energetic example of his signature graffiti-style artwork.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) has unveiled a new community mural in downtown Princeton titled Live For Today. Designed and painted by artist Leon Rainbow, this colorful public art piece can be found on the side of Village Silver on Spring Street.

Rainbow is a New Jersey-based artist who grew up in Trenton. He creatively combines graffiti, street art, and other artistic forms into innovative projects and events. Rainbow learned how to do simple block letters from an early age and has been drawing and creating art ever since. By building on his work, he realizes his art can channel a deeper expression, reaching a wide variety of people. Leon Rainbow is also the creator of the Jersey Fresh Jam. View more of his work at @aerosoleon or jerseygraf.com.

This is the ACP’s seventh rotating mural on Spring Street. In July of 2020, when most of town was shut down due to COVID-19 regulations, the Arts Council team painted their first mural in this location, Stronger Together, as a message of support and solidarity. Since then, the rotating approach has allowed the ACP to showcase local artists, making Spring Street a new destination to enjoy colorful public art.

“This mural location began as an idea between myself and my colleague Melissa Kuscin during that awful time at the start of the pandemic. We knew had to do something – anything – to give people a boost and that something was art. Art on a big scale,” recalls ACP Artistic Director Maria Evans. “It is so exciting to see this mural continue now through the work of others, and I’m so proud that the ACP can provide this level of support for artists in downtown Princeton. The community gets so excited to see the artwork in this space change frequently. It’s like a ‘mural gallery,’ which is so fun!”

Live For Today is the latest of the Arts Council’s growing public art presence around Princeton. Also on view are Continuum by Illia Barger at Terra Momo Bread Company, Journey by Marlon 7oveChild Davila on the corner of John Street and Leigh Avenue, and the Bring on the Joy, LOVE, and Kindness murals at Princeton Shopping Center. The Arts Council coordinates installations in Dohm Alley and the popular Princeton Parklet, a “street seat” designed for community gathering.

Rainbow’s work will be on view on Spring Street until October 2022, when a new mural will take its place.

For more information, visit artscouncilofprinceton.org.