(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR), Invest Newark, members of the family of the late New Jersey State Senator Ronald L. Rice, and other dignitaries opened the Ronald L. Rice Arts Center West on February 18, 2025. The facility is located at 460-462 South 18th Street in the West Ward.
In his more than 40 years of public service, the late Senator also served as Newark’s West Ward Council Member and as Deputy Mayor. In keeping with his legacy of investing in the city’s youth, the mission of the center is to provide a safe, educational space for learning, creating, and sharing their artistic visions and talents with the community. Music recording, video editing, and photography classes will be offered to youth living in the West Ward and throughout the city. In addition to healing trauma through music and the electronic and digital arts, the center will offer youth support services with a therapeutic focus, serving residents aged 12-24. It will operate from Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 8:00pm, with social workers embedded to offer therapeutic services that include family counseling. Classes begin on March 1.
“This ribbon cutting is bittersweet for me,” said Mayor Baraka. “On one hand, I’m proud and happy that we are dedicating this center to State Senator Rice, who was a stalwart champion of social justice for more than four decades as a public servant – and who from his first day in the Senate to his last, wrote legislation to help Newark’s kids. On the other hand, I’m sorry that the kids who come here will never have the privilege of sitting with him like I did, and learning firsthand how to see issues with clarity, how to discern the right path to progress, and how to stay true to your vision in every situation, every conversation, and every relationship. But that’s the spirit this center was built on, and it’s my hope that the energy of positivity and persistence helps all who come here find their calling and carve their future.”
The Senator’s son, Ronald C. Rice, and his daughter, Yuki Rice, were on hand to witness the community’s gratitude and praise for their father’s unwavering commitment to Newark and the West Ward he loved so much. Both have dedicated themselves to public service and improving the lives of the most vulnerable. Mr. Rice served as West Ward Council Member from 2006 to 2014, representing the neighborhoods of Vailsburg, Ivy Hill, West Side, Fairmount, and Roseville.
Ms. Rice devotes her training and skills to the instruction of healthcare providers and the development of programs for dementia, brain trauma, and end-of-life patients, currently serving as Director of Resident Engagement & Program Development at a residential facility, and as Board Member of the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. They addressed the crowd in a joint statement.
“We are overjoyed and proud that this community continues to honor our father’s legacy. With the entire family, we are so touched that the city we love continues to value and build upon what our father worked so hard to accomplish for this and future generations. We are grateful to Mayor Baraka, OVPTR, Invest Newark, and most importantly the residents and taxpayers of Newark for this honor,” said Council Member Rice and Ms. Rice. “The Rice Family prioritized the arts and mental wellness in this part of the West Ward with a recording studio at the old West Side Boys & Girls Club, created and funded by Shaquille O’Neal, as well as the Family Success Center at Georgia King Village, made possible through city dollars and Newark Now. Today, we look back with pride at the foundation our father laid, but set our sights on tomorrow as we take a big step forward in the West Ward’s future.”
The center supports a neighborhood that has long faced challenges. Recognizing that trauma often leaves deep emotional wounds, it is dedicated to harnessing the unique power of the arts to help youth process their experiences, build strength, and find hope. Through a range of art therapy programs, creative workshops, and community events, the center aims to:
* Provide a protective, nurturing, environment for creative expression.
* Empower youth to transform personal and collective pain into art.
* Foster resilience and healing through collaborative and innovative programming.
“As the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, I am honored to witness the opening of this transformative center in a neighborhood that has endured so much,” said OVPTR Director Kyleesha Wingfield-Hill. “Through the arts, we are creating opportunities for young people to express themselves, process their experiences and heal in meaningful ways. We are excited to work with youth by providing creative healing outlets that empower them, ignite resilience, and spark transformative change throughout our community.”
Marcus Randolph, President and CEO of Invest Newark, said, “Invest Newark was pleased to be part of the team that helped bring this project to reality. This arts center will serve as a crucial new anchor for important services, community events, artists, and youth in the West Ward.”
“The Ronald L. Rice Arts Center in the West Ward isn’t just a building, it’s a beacon of hope and opportunity for our community,” said West Ward Council Member Dupré Kelly. “As someone who grew up in the West Ward, a block away from the center, and found my voice through hip-hop, I know firsthand the transformative power of the arts. This center honors the legacy of a great leader, Senator Rice, while investing in the creative potential of our youth. It’s a testament to Newark’s resilience and our commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists, thinkers, and leaders. Together, we’re not just making history; we’re shaping the future of our city through the universal language of art.”
The City funded the center’s development in conjunction with OVPTR and Invest Newark. OCA Architects designed the project, The Eminence Group developed it, and TEG Design & Build served as general contractor. Managed Business Solutions provided IT infrastructure. Before being a city-owned property, the site was a laundromat.
Newark-based visual artist Gregg Banks was selected to provide a mural that embodies the center’s intent, in addition to accentuating the building’s architectural finishes. His work has been displayed at City Hall, the Gant-Gilbert Arts Collective, as well as The Newark Museum of Art.
Youth will be able to register for programs at the center or by calling the main OVPTR office at 973-733-5655. The Spring and Summer schedules will be available on March 1.
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