Inspired by Paterson’s industrial and labor history and the interwoven stories of migration that link communities across North Jersey, Carriers of Light and Labor makes visible workers’ many contributions to the region. Ortiz’s installation highlights the connection between our histories and possibilities, when we are able to imagine futures proudly and openly shaped by immigrants and immigration.
Carriers of Light and Labor will occupy the plaza in front of Paterson City Hall, facing Market Street, in the busy center of the city. The five monuments that form the installation correspond to conceptual “pillars” that Ortiz identified as common threads from public conversations with community members that occurred in the spring and summer of 2025. The pillars for the monuments are: Justice and Resistance; Sacrifice and Perseverance; Contributions; Ancestors; and Descendants. While each monument engages with distinct themes and ideas, they are also in rich conversation with each other, prompting the public to consider the pasts, presents, and futures of North Jersey’s immigrant and migrant workers and their communities.
Layout of the plaza in front of Paterson City Hall indicating the placement of each of the five monuments.
Preliminary design rendering demonstrating the scale of the monuments.
Preliminary design rendering demonstrating the lighting feature of the monuments.
Each monument structure features portraits of community stakeholders that Ortiz took or archival images. The individuals in the portraits, and their stories, embody the concepts represented by the different monuments. The portraits are illustrated and embellished with visual imagery inspired by Ortiz’s engagement with community stakeholders and historical archives. In a nod to Paterson’s history as a textile-making hub and the intricate textile patterns that form an important part of the cultural traditions of immigrant and migrant groups who came to North Jersey, designs will be cut out of the monument structures, so that light can reflect through them. Similarly, colorful patterns made out of concrete vinyl will adorn the plaza, bringing to life a space that doubles as a bus stop.
2D design rendering of the first monument depicting a portrait of a community member in the center, flanked by an image of an ocean voyage to the left and an archival image of an immigrant mother and child to the right. The rendering also depicts the pattern and phrases cut into the wooden material that will appear on the sides of the structure.
Accompanying the central portraits that each monument displays, are phrases and quotes that community stakeholders shared, to be cut out of the wood panels. The phrases further reflect the pillar each monument represents. At night, when all five structures are illuminated, the front of Paterson City Hall will shine. Ortiz shared that “I believe that our stories carry light. Through these monuments, I want to create a moment where light washes over the viewer.” In other words, not only are we celebrating workers, but they are shining upon us, as lights in the dark.
Design rendering of the first monument during the daytime.
Design rendering of the first monument illuminated at night.
Design rendering of a concrete vinyl strip to be placed on the bench on the left side of the plaza. A similarly designed concrete vinyl strip with the phrase in Spanish will be placed on the right side bench.
“What does the light represent? Is it something that is giving you clarity? Is it something that provides a memory or a connection? Or is it a prayer or hope that we want to have?”
— MICHELLE ANGELA ORTIZ
NJMML organized a series of community dialogues across the state in the spring and summer of 2025, including six at different locations in North Jersey. Dialogue facilitators, connected to immigrant and migrant communities, and to groups advocating on behalf of workers in New Jersey, guided stakeholders in discussions about how to commemorate and honor histories and personal narratives of migration and labor in the region.
Each photo depicts artwork made by a participant in a community dialogue activity.
Ortiz highlights the importance of these community dialogues in shaping her ideas for Carriers of Light and Labor in the following audio clip:
Ortiz led a series of three public events in the winter and spring of 2025/2026, during which she brainstormed with community stakeholders about the monument’s location, and received feedback on a concept proposal. She proposed Paterson City Hall because of its centrality. There is a busy bus stop right at the intersection in front of City Hall, so there is great potential for multiple publics to engage with the monuments. In the immediate area around City Hall, Ortiz witnessed the incredible diversity of Paterson, reinforcing her decision about the location. And, it would be inaccurate to claim that City Hall is like any other site. A grand, classical building and the active seat from which Paterson’s council and mayor govern, City Hall has weight as a venue from which to pose questions about history, memory, and representation - as numerous stakeholders noted.
These photographs document the first community dialogue in Paterson in March 2025 and the final public event held in March 2026 at the Paterson Museum, where the monument design to be installed in front of Paterson City Hall was unveiled.
Participants at the public events engaged in activities that aided in further developing and visualizing the conceptual pillars that the five monuments represent. Participants brought their family histories and migration stories to each conversation, cementing for Ortiz the importance of personal and historical archives to stakeholders. Archives’ role in communal and cultural preservation is expressed through the monuments as well.
On monumentality and the historical significance of the chosen location for Carriers of Light and Labor, Ortiz notes that “these new monuments are also having a conversation with what already exists there,” in the form of statues to figures who resonated with immigrants in the past. In thinking about the contributions of immigrant and migrant workers in North Jersey, Carriers is in conversation with space and history, and how space can be visually amended to reflect change
NJMML is excited to host a series of events and activities related to the unveiling of the monuments this summer, and programs that will animate these installations even further through the fall!
Please see below for information about the ribbon-cutting event for Carriers of Light and Labor, as well as a community art program scheduled for September. See this space for additional events as they are added!
Educational and archival resources related to Carriers of Light and Labor coming soon!
