Clinton Township Newsletter

1 0 s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 4 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M l o c a l a r T i s T a v a v a l l e l y c r e a T e s m u r a l o F T h e h i s T o r i c a n d i c o n i c c l i n T o n m i l l Local artist Ava Vallely, an incoming Sophomore at North, was inspired by the beauty of the Town of Clinton to create a mural of the historic and iconic Clinton Mill for her CTMS middle school last Spring of 2023. In August of 2023, Ava began work on the town mural, located in the alley on the Audio Synergy building, and the owners were happy to have her add her art and vision to what she saw as an empty canvas. She recently completed the project after more than a hundred hours of painting, taking a break during winter and rainy days. Her parents watched her tackle many challenges during this long process and witnessed her problem-solve, rework, redo, reinvent, and recreate the most beautiful structures of Clinton from her young mind's vision – a true gift for a parent to witness. Her many hours in town offered up so many opportunities to meet the most wonderful people as they stopped by to chat, watch, and encourage. It was in Clinton that she met famous artist and muralist, Philip Adams, who was completing his town mural near the Hunterdon Art Museum just as she was beginning hers. He was so gracious and inspiring to her and became like a mural-mentor to her, oftentimes visiting her down 'her alley' to encourage her. During breaks, he let her work with him on his mural. She would turn her brush over to all the small children, allowing them their very own brushstrokes on the wall, giving them a voice – a chance to fill their little hearts with joy and excitement and to be part of the art they will see each time they visit 'the wall'. She'd watch with tears in her eyes as they'd shout, "Look what I did!" perhaps igniting the flame of a future artist. The people of Clinton encouraged her and she got to know many of the locals and business owners during her mural residency. Ava just recently completed three murals at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Edison, where her mother is a teacher of thirty years. She was happy for the students to watch her create art as they passed in the hallways and answer questions about her process. Ava was just given the role of Mural Committee Chair and Public Relations for the National Honor Society/Art Club at North Hunterdon. Ava hopes to someday become a Kindergarten teacher and teach art classes and create art in her spare time. Mayor Janice Kovach presents Ava with a proclamation from the Town of Clinton honoring her for her work making this beautiful mural come to life! Councilman Ross Traphagen, Councilwoman Molly Padmos, and Councilman John Kashwick joined with family and friends for this celebration and ribbon in early August.

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