WESTWOOD—Swing by the intersection of Irvington and Broadway to see what’s billed as Westwood’s most joyful public art installation.
Dozens of community members of all ages and abilities wove together Celebrate Westwood’s “yarn bomb,” aiming to drape an otherwise overlooked area of the borough with color and celebration.
Individual pieces were donated by residents of Westwood and the greater Pascack Valley and created at knitting and crocheting meetups hosted by the Westwood Public Library throughout May.
Nearly 1,000 pieces were then installed by a team of volunteers just in time for the summer solstice.
Organizers tell Pascack Press, “Thanks to their efforts, an old chain link fence has been transformed with bits of pom-pom confetti, handwoven butterflies, textile versions of summer snacks, fuzzy bumble bees, plentiful hearts, and flowers galore.
Co-chair Lauren Letizia said, “A visit to the installation is like an immersive game of eye spy. Search for slices of watermelon, children holding hands, the cutest little ice cream cones, and even a few fuzzy hippos.”
Permission to install the project at the prominent intersection was granted by property owner Richard Ferrentino of Woodcliff Builders LLC.
The Yarn Bomb Squad was created by Westwood “resident joy-maker” Heather O’Hara, who said she was inspired “to celebrate Westwood with a multi-generational communal effort.” The project was designed to “transform the unexpected or overlooked into something soft, colorful, and bright.”
Letizia said yarn bombing has grown in popularity over years as a guerilla artform “known for beautifying forgotten, overlooked, outdoor spaces with colorful, textured art that can’t help but bring smiles and joy to those who come across its bright installations.”
O’Hara thanked community members who donated financially or materially to support the Yarn Bomb Squad’s efforts: “I am so inspired by the creativity and talent within our community, and even more so, by the shared desire of so many to spread joy in big and simple ways.”
This project was the first formal initiative of Celebrate Westwood’s ArtsHub subcommittee. Letizia said although the idea of a dedicated arts-minded subcommittee is new, Celebrate Westwood has been hosting a variety of community arts initiatives since 2019.
Projects and events have included the Community Quilt in honor of the borough’s 125th anniversary (see it in the Westwood Community Center); Arts in the Park showcases in collaboration with Creative Bergen, musical reviews featuring members of the Bergen County Players, as well as band and orchestral performances at the bandstand; and the ongoing Music on the Avenues series featuring local talent in downtown Westwood all summer long.
Keep an eye out for upcoming public art initiatives and follow @celebratewestwood on social or visit celebratewestwood.org for more information.