Perth Amboy Unveils Two Full Court Murals to Honor Basketball Legend Brian Taylor

PERTH AMBOY - Growing up in Perth Amboy in the late 1950s, Brian Taylor has fond memories of walking two miles each day to play three-on-three basketball in Washington Park.

At the time, things were a bit different. There were no full basketball courts. In fact, Taylor and his friends would somehow connect the basket to a metal fence for their half-court games that would run until sunset each day.

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“I think we were actually playing on an old tennis court,” recalls Taylor, 73, with a laugh. “I had to design a method. I’d run hard to the basket, knowing my shoulder was going into that metal fence every time. Amazing how much we loved that court.”

Fast forward to 2024: the Brian Taylor Basketball Courts are an athletic gem in Middlesex County. Recently, the city and the Perth Amboy Arts Council, with support from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners, revealed the latest murals  at the park.

These murals celebrate the rich history of Perth Amboy and its notable contributions to sports and education through the achievements of Taylor. Born June 9, 1951 in Perth Amboy, Taylor's athletic prowess became evident when he led Perth Amboy High School to a state basketball title in 1968 and secured his place as the second-leading scorer in New Jersey high school history with 2,495 points.

"These murals honor Brian Taylor's career and serve as an inspiration for our youth,” said Mayor Helmin J. Caba. “They highlight our community's history and future. We appreciate the support from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for making this project possible."

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Taylor’s talent extended to Princeton University, where he was recruited by Bill Bradley, earned Ivy League Rookie of the Year and first-team All-Ivy League honors in 1969 and was a high scorer for the U.S. team that won gold at the 1971 Pan-American Games.

Taylor's professional career spanned teams like the New York Nets (ABA), Kansas City Kings, Denver Nuggets, and San Diego Clippers (NBA). Post-retirement, he completed his degree at Princeton and dedicated himself to education, founding the Inner City Education Foundation in Los Angeles, leading Teleos Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, and directing mentorship programs at Princeton University.

Taylor continues to inspire the city's youth through the Office of Recreation. The new murals are part of a broader effort to preserve and celebrate Taylor's legacy of contributions to the community. Programs for 2024 have included college tours, a basketball camp, and the "Summer of a Lifetime" program at Princeton University, which will launch this summer and sponsor 10 students from Perth Amboy.

Each mural, measuring 84' x 50', captures different aspects of Taylor's impact. The artwork, created using durable sports surface paint, uses colors and textures inspired by the American Basketball Association, Perth Amboy High School, and urban art. One mural features Taylor in action during the 70s and 80s, while the other celebrates the youth of Perth Amboy, symbolizing their aspirations.

Taylor grew up in Delaney Homes and – decades later from his home in Los Angeles – still recalls fond memories.  He and his older brother Bruce, the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1970 for the San Francisco 49ers, would cross Pfeiffer Boulevard  and walk down Lee Street to the courts, with their mother ordering them home by dark, always prompting last-minute hustle.

“Bruce was nine and I was five, and he was going to the park to talk to the girls, while I was going to play basketball,” Taylor told TAPInto Raritan Bay . “I didn’t understand at the time why he didn’t want me hanging around!”

The murals were designed by Solanyi Pena, Chair of the Perth Amboy Arts Council. Born and raised in Perth Amboy, Pena is a Dominican artist with over seven years of experience in creating engaging visual art.

As a muralist, Pena has a talent for transforming spaces with large-scale works that captivate viewers. She has worked with various organizations, including The City of Perth Amboy, The Boys & Girls Club, and YMCA. Notable murals by Pena in Perth Amboy include "The Future is Bright" (2023) and "She is Within Me" (2023).

In addition to her role as a muralist, Pena has been instrumental in fostering the arts within the community.

As Chairperson of the Perth Amboy Arts Council, she reviews mural applications to ensure public artwork is aesthetically pleasing and appropriate for the community. Pena is committed to inspiring the youth and making Perth Amboy a city renowned for its arts. She has coordinated and taught art at the Perth Amboy Gallery Center for the Arts for the past five years, managing and creating art programs for children and adults. Her dedication to the arts is reflected in her leadership of initiatives such as the Perth Amboy Arts Walk and various public art exhibitions.

"We extend our deepest thanks to Solanyi Pena and her team for sharing their incredible gift of art with our city, Mayor Caba added.  “Your dedication and talent have brought this vision to life, inspiring our community and future generations."

Click here for more details about the murals and the Arts Institute of Middlesex County.

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