The City of East Orange is proud to announce the launch of “Remix Your Kicks,” an eight-week sneaker customization workshop designed to blend creativity, culture, and personal expression. Sponsored by the Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs, the program invites participants to transform ordinary sneakers into one-of-a-kind wearable art.
“Remix Your Kicks” will be offered in two four-week sessions, providing flexibility for participants while delivering hands-on instruction in sneaker design, painting techniques, and artistic storytelling. Each session is priced at $85 per participant and will be open to a maximum of 15 registrants.
The workshop will be held Tuesday-Thursday between 5pm-8pm from April 14-June 4 at the Fellowship Civic Center, 1 Fellowship Circle in East Orange. The program, for ages 13+, will be led by Didria Brown, Girls Basketball Coach and owner of DAB’s ReCreations.
“This program is about more than just art—it’s about identity and giving our residents, especially our young people, a creative outlet to express who they are,” said Mayor Ted R. Green. “East Orange continues to invest in initiatives that celebrate culture and creativity while building community.”
The workshop is designed to be both engaging and accessible, with all materials and instruction provided to guide participants from concept to completion. By the end of the program, each participant will walk away with two pairs of customized sneakers that reflect their unique vision and style.
Brown said the concept for the program was born out of a desire to fill a gap for residents who express themselves through creativity rather than athletics.
“Honestly, the idea came from looking around and realizing most of our programs in our community are all about sports—and that’s fine for athletes—but what about the ones who express themselves differently? The ones who light up when they get a chance to create—they are the artists, the dreamers, and the creators,” said Brown. “I also wanted something that would blend our senior community, something they could just leap into as well. I envision this workshop bringing everyone together—across all ages and backgrounds—and giving each person a chance to create something that reflects who they are.”
J. Jamal Pearson, Director of Recreation & Cultural Affairs, said he was more than happy to add the new program to his spring lineup.
“Our goal with ‘Remix Your Kicks’ is to create a space where participants feel empowered to explore their artistic voice,” said J. Jamal Pearson, Director of Recreation & Cultural Affairs. “This workshop taps into the sneaker culture, merging art and fashion in a way that will resonate across generations.”
For more information about “Remix Your Kicks,” or to register, please visit teameorec.com or contact the Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs at 973.414.4141.