(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County and RWJBarnabas Health celebrated the unveiling of Our Space, a collaborative mural at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Designed by New Brunswick-based artist Martryce Roach and developed with input from nearly 200 individuals—including hospital staff, patients, students, and community members—the vibrant mural captures the spirit and collective strength of the Middlesex County community.

The unveiling event brought together hospital staff, students, and community leaders, including Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios, Deputy Director of the Board of County Commissioners Shanti Narra, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital President Alan Lee, Middlesex College President Mark McCormick, Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools Jorge Diaz, Director of the Arts Institute of Middlesex County Lindsay Erben, and artist Martryce Roach.

"Thanks to everyone who helped bring this mural to life, especially the Arts Institute of Middlesex County, RWJBarnabas Health’s leadership, and artist Martryce Roach,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “This mural is not just a piece of art—it’s a vivid representation of the invaluable partnership between Middlesex County and RWJBarnabas Health. It embodies our community's spirit and strength, and I hope it provides comfort and inspiration to all who visit Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.”

“We are grateful to our partners in Middlesex County and the Arts Institute for making this mural possible,” said Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital President Alan Lee. “It reflects our mission to partner with our communities to build a healthier New Jersey and provides an inspiring space for our patients, visitors, and team members.”

“In Middlesex County, we understand that investing in arts and culture is an investment in the well-being and resilience of our communities,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, Chair of the Economic Development Committee. “Art has the power to heal, inspire, and elevate our spirits. We are proud to support projects that not only beautify our surroundings but also offer hope and unity for everyone who experiences them.”

“Since its inception, the Arts Institute has prioritized public art as a means of bringing people together,” said Director of the Arts Institute of Middlesex County Lindsay Erben. “From surveys to focus groups, we ensured every voice was included in creating Our Space. This mural now stands as a testament to our community’s diverse perspectives, and we are thrilled it will be a lasting part of the hospital’s story.”

The journey to create the Our Space mural began in December 2023 when hospital leaders approached the Arts Institute of Middlesex County to integrate more public art into the hospital. Over the course of the project, artist Martryce Roach led a series of collaborative workshops with students from Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts, East Brunswick Magnet School, and Middlesex College. The mural, prominently displayed within the hospital, is designed to provide hope and inspiration to patients, healthcare workers, and visitors alike.

This project is a visual representation of the ongoing collaboration between RWJBarnabas Health and Middlesex County. Through the County’s long-term strategic initiatives, including a $25 million investment in the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, Middlesex County and RWJBarnabas Health continue to strengthen their partnership—building a robust health and education ecosystem for the region, exemplified by the RWJBarnabas Health Workforce Partnership. 

For more information about the artist and the story behind the Our Space mural, please visit middlesexcountyculture.com.

Middlesex County is bettering the lives of residents and providing economic growth opportunities to business and industry. It is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 19 County parks, and world-class healthcare and research facilities, making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in life sciences, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 860,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities. The County's award-winning Middlesex County Magnet Schools system and two-year Middlesex College uphold its position as #1 in the state for education and workforce development. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) New Brunswick, an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, is a 628-bed acute care hospital that is New Jersey’s largest academic medical center through its deep partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. RWJUH is the flagship Cancer Hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, a nationally-ranked 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Centers of Excellence include cardiovascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, orthopedics, bariatric surgery and women’s health.  A Level 1 Trauma Center and the first designated Pediatric Trauma Center in the state, RWJUH’s New Brunswick campus serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness.

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RWJUH has earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety, including the prestigious Magnet® Recognition for Nursing Excellence and is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Regional Hospital for adult care, as well as a nationally ranked Best Children’s Hospital in pediatric orthopedics and urology. The RWJUH Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center has been recognized by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association as meeting The Joint Commission's standards for Disease-Specific Care Comprehensive Stroke Center Advanced Certification. RWJUH has also earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease-Specific Care Certification for Spine Surgery; The Joint Commission Gold Seal Certification for Bariatric Services; and The Joint Commission Gold Seal Certification for Hip and Knee Replacement services. The Joint Commission also awarded RWJUH a Gold Seal Certification as well as an Advanced Certification in Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Implantation.