From Maplewood Village Alliance:
Maplewood Village has a colorful new addition, the installation of the first outdoor mural on a building façade in the heart of downtown Maplewood Village, located at 164 Maplewood Avenue, on the exterior wall above Village Coffee.
Created by longtime local resident and professional artist Jocelyn Fine, the mural, titled This Is the Place, celebrates Maplewood’s natural beauty, creativity, and strong sense of community. While Maplewood Village is already home to public art, including the murals in the pedestrian tunnel beneath the train tracks, this installation marks a new milestone, bringing outdoor mural art directly onto a building façade in the historic downtown district.
With Maplewood Village’s historic designation, the project presented a unique challenge. MVA sought a creative approach that would introduce vibrant public art while respecting and preserving the architectural integrity of its historic buildings.The solution was a temporary mural installation created on a removable surface, allowing the artwork to enhance the streetscape without permanently altering the historic brick façade.
Making this vision possible also required a willing property owner. Enter Larry Fischer, owner of 164 Maplewood Avenue and several other commercial properties in Maplewood. A longtime supporter of the arts and the local community, Fischer enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to bring something new and creative to the Village.
“This project is about celebrating the creativity and community spirit that make Maplewood so special,” said ErinRose Baldry, Executive Director of the Maplewood Village Alliance. “We wanted to introduce public art that activates our streetscape, creates a point of interest, and gives residents and visitors another reason to explore and enjoy the Village, while remaining respectful of its historic charm. We are incredibly grateful to Larry Fischer for sharing our vision and helping make this possible.”
A Community-Inspired Selection
The project began with an open call to artists, attracting more than 30 submissions. A selection committee comprising local residents, professional artists, and members of the creative community reviewed the proposals, narrowing the field to five finalists before unanimously selecting Fine’s design.
Commissioned by the Maplewood Village Alliance, This Is the Place was inspired by Fine’s connection to Maplewood and her fascination with tree communities, how trees communicate, care for one another, and share energy and resources.
At the center stands a monumental silver maple, brimming with color, movement, and energy. More than a landscape element, the tree is a living presence, symbolizing resilience, connection, and the interconnectedness of the natural world. From its spreading branches emerge an abundance of forms, including maple seeds, leaves, fruits, birds, and symbolic shapes. Beside the tree, silhouetted figures sit together on a hillside beneath the moonlight, a tribute to Maplewood’s beloved Memorial Park and the shared experiences that connect people to their sense of place.
“By rooting the mural in this particular tree, in this particular place, I hope to show us what we have in common with the natural world, and in doing so, what we have in common with each other,” said Fine.
Bringing New Life to the Village Streetscape
Positioned at the intersection of two active pedestrian and vehicle routes, the mural transforms a previously unadorned wall into a vibrant visual landmark and welcoming gateway to the Village center.
The installation represents an exciting step in exploring how public art can complement Maplewood Village’s historic identity while supporting its continued vitality as a destination for shopping, dining, arts, and community life.
The Maplewood Village Alliance encourages residents and visitors to stop by, experience the mural, and enjoy this colorful new addition to downtown Maplewood.
About the Artist
Jocelyn Fine is a professional painter and longtime local resident whose work explores nature, connection, and the living world through richly textured surfaces and vibrant color. She is represented by galleries in New York and California, was a 2025 Millay Arts Fellow, and serves as Chair of Fine and Performing Arts at Montclair Kimberley Academy. Learn more at jocelynfine.com or Instagram @jocelyn.fineart.
About the Maplewood Village Alliance
The MVA is a nonprofit organization responsible for the management and revitalization of Maplewood Village’s Special Improvement District. MVA works to support local businesses, preserve the Village’s historic character, enhance the downtown environment, and create a vibrant, welcoming destination through beautification, community events, economic development, and public-private partnerships.
