Cherry Blossoms in Winter, a public art project,  Newark, NJ, 2016

Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ

Envisioned and directed by Frances Bartkowski, Cherry Blossoms in Winter was a multimedia public art project that engaged the energies of citizens, students, teachers and artists to produce an inspiring scene of wonder. 

Hundreds of bare cherry trees in winter were the sites for temporary art and sound installations, creating an unforgettable spectacle. 

The project participants came from K-12 Newark schools, senior citizen groups, undergraduates at Rutgers University Newark, and faculty from the Arts, Culture and Media department, as well as artists from Newark, the region, and other countries. A spirit of renewal marked the vision.

Inspired by the 2005 Central Park installation, "The Gates" by Christo and Jeanne Claude, Essex County Branch Brook Park hosted the exhibition in December 2016 closing the year-long celebration of the 350th anniversary of the city of Newark. 

The Collaboratory, at Rutgers-Newark

the collaboratory

In 2015 Bartkowski was awarded a $75,000 Chancellor's Seed Grant for her work with The Collaboratory at RU-N

The Collaboratory is a transdisciplinary group supporting team teaching, faculty development seminars, and public programming at Rutgers University-Newark.