In 2016, Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission looked to identify a pool of qualified artists or artist teams for consideration for an outdoor art installation. Qualified artists were invited to submit proposals to design, fabricate and install permanent site-specific public art for the new Mercer County Courthouse (Trenton, NJ). (Qualifications from artists, only, were sought in this RFQ). 

Specifically, artists were sought to create five (5) low-relief works/elements to be permanently installed on an exterior, Warren St., Trenton, wall of the Courthouse. Designs were sought to have a general theme reflecting the rich history of the Mercer County Court system, the County of Mercer, and/or the City of Trenton. This RFQ was open to artists/artist teams residing or working within 50 miles of Mercer County, NJ. The process was managed by the County’s Division of Culture & Heritage. 

Awarded Artist: Tim Gaydos  
Final Project Title: "Seeking Justice"   

ABOUT "SEEKING JUSTICE"

In this five-panel mural installation titled “Seeking Justice” New Jersey artist Tim Gaydos depicts key events and landmarks from Trenton’s past to illustrate the constant move towards a more just society.

Mural 1 presents an idealized picture of colonial-era Trenton. Against the backdrop of the Delaware River are depicted eleven historic buildings from that time (see next panel for more detail). In the foreground the artist illustrates just some of the diverse community – enslaved peoples, Quakers, indentured servants, Lenni-Lenape, landowners – that helped build Trenton.

Mural 2 portrays the historic public reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the original county courthouse to be built in Trenton – the Hunterdon County Courthouse (Trenton was part of Hunterdon County at the time). After the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, copies were sent out to the thirteen colonies. The first public readings of the Declaration of Independence took place July 8, 1776 in Trenton, Philadelphia, and Easton, PA.

 

Mural 3 depicts the historic Battle of Trenton. Early on December 26, 1776, after crossing the Delaware River the previous day, Gen. George Washington led 2,400 Continental Army soldiers for a surprise attack against Hessian forces garrisoned at the Trenton Barracks. This victorious battle was a turning point in the Revolutionary War, boosting morale and inspiring supporters of the newly formed United States.  

 

Mural 4 portrays Trenton as an industrial powerhouse in the late 1800s. The buildings shown represent those of Roebling Steel as well as some of the giant kilns of Trenton’s world-famous ceramics industry. The Old Wooden Bridge that crossed the Delaware at end of the 19^th century is seen in the background. As a manufacturing and innovation hub for more than a century, the city attracted people from around the world seeking equity and opportunity.

 

Mural 5 depicts the artist’s vision of all those who have come to Mercer County “Seeking Justice Through the Ages.” A statue of “Lady Justice” stands in a public square. In the background, the artist has placed Mercer County’s three historical courthouses. The first, a Greek Revival style building at the corner of Broad and Market Streets (1838-1901) was built the same year the County of Mercer was formed; the second courthouse (1902-2013), a classic Beaux Arts design, still stands on the original Broad and Market site; and the current Courthouse, here at 400 So. Warren Street, was dedicated in 2013.    

"Seeking Justice" is now fully installed and on public display. 

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