College students' mural adds to charm of a community garden in Trenton (VIDEO)

"Now we have something to look at."

Easy Trenton resident Evelyn Hawthorne said that to her neighbor Clarissa Vereen-Holt, standing in a community garden at Poplar and Taylor Streets that they both tend.

They were watching a group of students' from the The College of New Jersey's Arts and Interactive Multimedia students install a three-panel mural they created for the garden - led by assistant professor of art education Carolina Blatt.

"We've worked with some really amazing residents and the students have really come together to create something that they think will be meaningful for the community," Blatt said.

A student documents the installation. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com) 

The project, which also includes colorful garden markers, is a partnership between the college (TCNJ) and the East Trenton Collaborative that's designed to emphasize the human connections that foster community gardens.

The mural depicts a number of anonymous figures, representing the many people who work together to make community gardens prosper.

East Trenton Collaborative's Iana Dikidjieva said: "We work closely with residents in the community to improve their neighborhood which includes supporting Miss Hawthorne and her awesome garden."

On Saturday, April 28, the East Trenton Collaborative will host a community cleanup and festival. The event begins with a cleanup of the Assunpink Creek in Hetzel Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and continues with a festival on Taylor Street and in Hetzel Park from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available from Elena Peeples at epeeples@urbanpromisetrenton.org.

Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @michaelmancuso Find NJ.com on Facebook.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.