Newark today is defined by immigration and the Great Migration—by the movement of people from across the globe and around the country who have sought opportunity here and left their imprints in return.
The Newark Story Bus is a mobile hub for sharing and collecting the rich stories that make Newark a global city. The bus, a refurbished Econoline Cutaway, contains a sound booth and portrait studio designed to gather audiovisual histories from residents and workers in the city. The exterior of the bus is a striking, colorful, artwork on wheels that draws attention when it rolls into schools, street fairs, churches and community centers. Designed by local artists Geraluz and Werc, the bus is intended to evoke our mixed cultural heritages and celebrate the vibrancy of Newark.
Tim Raphael, left, professor, Rutgers-Newark, Department of Arts, Culture & Media, Julie Winokur, Ed Kashi, right, pose together alongside The Story Bus, as people gather during a festival on Treat Place, not far from the Rutgers-Newark campus, Thursday, July 10, 2021, in Newark, N.J. The Story Bus is a collaborative effort of Rutgers-Newark, Talking Eyes Media and VII Photo Agency. Much of the festival honored the immigrant community’s contributions to Newark. (Photo/Mel Evans) The Story Bus is seen as people gather during a festival on Treat Place, not far from the Rutgers-Newark campus, Thursday, July 10, 2021, in Newark, N.J. The Story Bus is a collaborative effort of Rutgers-Newark, Talking Eyes Media and VII Photo Agency. Much of the festival honored the immigrant community’s contributions to Newark. (Photo/Mel Evans) Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka walks from the Rutgers Story Bus, as people gather during a festival on Treat Place, not far from the Rutgers-Newark campus, Thursday, July 10, 2021, in Newark, N.J. Much of the festival honored the immigrant community’s contributions to Newark. (Photo/Mel Evans) The Story Bus is seen, as people gather during a festival on Treat Place, not far from the Rutgers-Newark campus, Thursday, July 10, 2021, in Newark, N.J. The Story Bus is a collaborative effort of Rutgers-Newark, Talking Eyes Media and VII Photo Agency. Much of the festival honored the immigrant community’s contributions to Newark. (Photo/Mel Evans)
