Morristown EMS Building Gets Covered In Graffiti

The  building became the target of graffiti over the past couple of days.

But this was not the work of vandals. A large section of wall was the canvas of creativity and paint by several area artists. The mural was a sanctioned project by "Arts! By the People," a nonprofit organization that promotes art. The organization conducts educational programs, classes and sessions in the creative arts, including art, music, dance movement and creative writing for the public.

The artists involved in the project were Brad Smith, of Brooklyn, Morristown residents Justin Sandelli, 14, Emily Larosa, 15, Dana DeBarros, 21, and Darren Rabinowitz, 18.

Justin Sandelli–nephew of EMS Captain Dominick Sandelli–came up with the idea of creating a mural on the Morristown EMS Building after attending an Arts! By the People workshop taught by Brad Smith.

The Morristown EMS raised $1,300 from individuals and area businesses for the mural project. The money was used for over 100 cans of spray paint and other art supplies. The work was started on Tuesday morning and completed at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. Smith, who has been a professional graffiti artist and musician since the 1990s, oversaw the progression of the mural as the artist worked on it.

The word "heroes," the theme of the project, was incorporated prominently into the mural. The artists felt that the word "heroes" was the best way to describe EMS volunteers for the work they do.

Karen Johansen, president of the EMS squad, said “The artists had complete creative control and this was their vision.”

Paul Rabinowitz, president and director of the board of Arts! By the People, said “Through art projects like this young artists can express themselves.”

To find out more about Arts! By the People, visit www.artsbythepeople.com/Home.html