Jersey City, NJ – The Central Avenue Special Improvement District Management Corporation is happy to announce the return of the “Heights Halloween Window Painting Contest” on Central Avenue. The annual tradition was briefly paused in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In partnership with the Jersey City Board of Education, seventy-four (74) students across the Heights neighborhood participated. Nearly sixty (60) Central Avenue businesses hosted the event by lending their storefront windows for students to showcase their artistic talents. “It was great to have Jersey City students back on Central Avenue for some Halloween fun, Students were filled with enthusiasm to paint with their friends and classmates at the local businesses. It was heartwarming seeing the community come together for the students, ” said Alexa Lima, CASID Executive Director.
There are sixteen (16) winners for the 6th annual Heights Halloween Window Painting Contest on Central Avenue. The winners were selected based on the categories of fall theme, humor, creativity, and color use per grade level. The panel of contest judges include Jersey City Councilman Ward D, Yousef Saleh; Artist and local Jersey City Police Officer Matthew Ramos, Midnight Market blogger, Alysis Vasquez; and Joseph Nachbaur, State Farm Insurance/ CASID Vice-President (N).
“Central Avenue’s Halloween Window Painting Contest is a fan favorite amongst the businesses, residents, and shoppers. Congratulation to the sixteen winners and thank you to all the students for sharing their artistic skills with the community. We hope the students revisit their artwork with loved ones.” says Sanford Fishman, CASID President and longtime pharmacist at Bond Drug.
Winners received plaques courtesy of the Central Avenue SID in addition generously donated prizes by Central Avenue businesses Joe Nachbaur, State Farm Agent (505 Central) and Eye Contact Vision Center (368 Central Avenue).
Trick-or-treaters of all ages along Central Avenue will get to enjoy the artwork while they trick-or-treat on Halloween. Storefront windows will be cleaned of the portraits starting on Monday, November 1st.
The winners of the contest are:
| Student | Grade | School | # | Portrait Location | Category |
| Dhruv B. | Grade 5 | PS#25 | #14 | Sachin Pharmacy | Humor |
| Vedhashree V. | Grade 5 | PS#25 | #18 | Hauptman’s Floor | Creativity |
| Daniela R. | Grade 5 | PS#28 | #26 | Heights Orthodontist | Color Use |
| Isabella L. | Grade 7 | PS#27 | #54 | A-1 Beauty Salon | Fall Theme |
| Renata G. | Grade 7 | MS#7 | #9 | Jersey Drugs | Creativity |
| Deepthi S. | Grade 7 | MS#7 | #6 | Pizza Master | Color Use |
| Ganga S. | Grade 7 | MS#7 | #7 | Pizza Master | Humor |
| Angie P. | Grade 8 | MS#7 | #3 | Paulie’s Brickhouse | Color Use |
| Tiphanny G. | Grade 8 | MS#7 | #8 | Jersey Drugs | Humor |
| Britany G. | Grade 8 | PS #28 | #74 | PACO | Fall Theme |
| Jasalyn C. | Grade 8 | PS#27 | #51 | Footprint Realty | Fall Theme |
| Jessy P. | Grade 8 | PS#27 | #52 | Daisy’s Cleaners | Creativity |
| Alexa B. | Grade 9 | Dickinson H.S. | #66 | Oaxaca Taqueria | Color Use |
| Alexandra A. | Grade 11 | Dickinson H.S. | #63 | Los Tres Chillitos | Creativity |
| Tamoor F. | Grade 12 | Dickinson H.S. | #62 | La Unica | Fall Theme |
| Laura C. | Grade 12 | Dickinson H.S. | #58 | V.Y.R.T Glass & Vape | Humor |
This project was made possible through the efforts of the Central Avenue S.I.D. Management Corp. and funded in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, County Executive, and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.