Following an enthusiastic response to its call for local artists, 120 East State, the non-profit transforming the historic First Presbyterian Church of Trenton (FPCT) into The Steeple Center arts and cultural community complex in downtown Trenton, announced Tuesday that community voting is now open in its logo contest.
Voters will choose online between 62 designs from 31 artists, displayed on the Steeple Center Virtual Art Exhibition, ranking their first, second and third preferences through an online community voting form. The community advisory vote will inform the final winners, to be selected by 120 East State’s Board. A first place prize of $1000, second place $500, and third place $100 in cash will be presented at the Mercer County Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 15 at Mercer County Park at approximately 3pm.
“There is a lot of great artistic talent in Trenton and the Steeple Center logo contest was our way of helping showcase it,” Cherry Oakley, 120 East State Board President, said. “Now we need the members of the Trenton community to tell us which artist’s work they liked best. We thank every artist who poured their hearts and souls into some stunningly creative work.”
To vote, community members are directed to the website’s Logo Contest page, where the Community Voting Form is linked.
Voting will close on Sunday, June 9 at 11:59pm.
120 East State was formed in April 2022, for the purpose of transforming the historic First Presbyterian Church campus into The Steeple Center, a community-centered performing arts venue, an engine of economic development, and an opportunity for local empowerment giving voice, space, and welcome to its neighbors in the heart of downtown Trenton.
About 120 East State
120 East State (120ES) is a community-based, community-centered investment in the heart of Trenton. Through public and private funding, 120ES is transforming a building with a storied past, First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, into a multi use gathering place for the whole community, including a community cafe, cultural/performing arts venue, and events/program space. Serving Trenton and greater Trenton, 120ES will contribute to the vitality of downtown, provide needed jobs and services to Trenton residents, highlight the told and untold histories of this National Historic Register property, and create a Trenton-proud hospitality zone for visitors to our capital city.
About First Presbyterian Church of Trenton
Founded in 1712, the First Presbyterian of Trenton has been located on this downtown Trenton site since 1727, nearly 300 years (the current structure dates from 1839). The earliest cemetery grave-markers date to the 1730’s. Many of Trenton’s original settlers are buried here, but the cemetery is perhaps best known as the final resting place of Col. Johann Rall, killed in the First Battle of Trenton in December, 1776. The first U.S. military chaplain to be killed in battle, the Rev. John Rosbrugh, is also buried here, murdered by British and Hessian troops during the second battle of Trenton. Both the church building and cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
