Fine Cement Craft is an art studio founded and led by Jessica Mungekar, a sculptor based in Washington Township, Gloucester County. Specializing in hand-painted hallow spherical sculptures crafted from cement, Jessica combines her artistic vision with a belief in the transformative power of art to inspire, connect, and heal.
Jessica’s passion for creating these spheres stems from the immersive process of shaping them. In the studio, she is fully present, channeling the qualities of the sphere. With its celestial symbolism, the sphere evokes a sense of groundedness, centeredness, and calm. Jessica’s work seeks to share this experience, inviting viewers to connect with the restorative energy of the form.
Founded in 2018, Fine Cement Craft is more than an art studio—it’s a platform for community engagement. With a background in social work, Jessica integrates her creative talents with her commitment to empowering and connecting communities. Whether through community driven public works, gallery works, or large-scale installations, her work is grounded in the idea of art as a bridge between individuals and communities.
Fine Cement Craft also offers workshops and lectures where Jessica invites participants to join in the creative process. These opportunities encourage collaboration, foster connections, and the healing potential through artistic expression. Jessica’s work continues to grow, providing more than visually striking pieces—she creates experiences that uplift and transform.
Growing up in Philadelphia, art was a constant presence in Jessica's early life. Surrounded by artists, their studios, and their creative processes, she developed a deep appreciation for art as a profound expression of inner thoughts and emotions.
During her studies at The University of the Arts and later at The Pacific NW College of Art (PNCA), Jessica explored how color, texture, and form shape perception. Her goal became to use these elements to evoke emotions through her work.
Jessica is particularly drawn to the sphere, a shape that resonates with her on multiple levels. Like the ancient Greeks who saw the circle as a symbol of divine and natural balance, Jessica finds the sphere to represent stability, equilibrium, and a serene sense of peace.
Working out of her garage, Jessica creates spheres and bases from cement. Each sphere has a hollow interior, featuring either a solid shell or one made from cement-soaked yarn. She uses acrylic or spray paint to add color, incorporating images and text, and designs various stands—including rocks, tree stumps, and traditional square bases. Her creations range from 5 to 50 inches in size and are sealed with a UV/weather-resistant finish to ensure durability.
Jessica’s artistic journey is complemented by her academic and professional background. She holds a BFA in Painting and Sculpture from PNCA and an MSW from Temple University. Her commitment to both art and social work is evident in her career; she has practiced as a Licensed Social Worker in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has taught art at community centers like the Boys and Girls Club. Recently, she led a high school Environmental Science class in two public art projects focused on climate resilience through NJ Audubon's RiSC program.
Her dedication to the arts is further demonstrated by her affiliations with organizations such as Americans for the Arts, the NJ Council for the Arts, the South Jersey Cultural Alliance, and the Gloucester County Arts League. These connections not only reflect her commitment but also provide valuable networking opportunities with fellow artists and enthusiasts.
Jessica’s achievements include receiving the Camden Fireworks Self-Taught Artist Grant, the South Jersey Cultural Alliance Covid Relief Grant, and the Selected Artist Award from NJ State's Climate Resilience Community-Based Public Art Program. She is also recognized for her contributions to the RiSC NJ Climate Resilience program in 2024.
In addition to her creative work, Jessica continues to exhibit in art gallery shows, teach classes and workshops throughout South Jersey, and actively contribute to the artistic community.
2002-2004
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
MSW, Social Work
1996-1999
Pacific NW College of Art, Portland, OR
BFA, painting/sculpture
1994-1995
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Painting
2023
Self-Taught Artist Award, Camden Fireworks, Camden, NJ
2022
South Jersey Artist & History Professional COVID Relief Grant. SJCA & H.E.A.R. committee
2004 - Present
Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Specialty in families and children, NJ
2024
Instructor, Cape May Technical Institute High School RiSC student science class to create two public art sculptures, Audubon, NJ
Resilient Schools and Communities (RiSC), Cape May Technical Institute, Cape May Courthouse, NJ
Instructor, Four Jersey Shore Technical Institute Schools, NJ Audubon, Cape May Science Center, Cape May, NJ
Instructor, Paint a Sphere Workshop, Old Pine Farm House, Deptford, NJ Instructor, Paint a Sphere Workshop, DC Gallery and Studio, Millville, NJ Instructor, Paint a Sphere Workshop, Private Residence, Sewell, NJ
Instructor, How to Make a Sphere Workshop, Private Residence, Mt. Laurel, NJ
Instructor, How to Pour a Mold with Cement, Private Lesson, Washington Township, NJ
2023
Instructor, two community painting workshops
Climate Resilience Community-Based Public Art Grant, NJ State Council on the Arts, NOAA, NJ Coastal Management, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Ocean City Arts Center, Longport, NJ
Instructor, two community painting workshops
Climate Resilience Community-Based Public Art Grant, NJ State Council on the Arts, NOAA, NJ Coastal Management, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Ocean City Arts Center, Strathmere, NJ
2023-Present
The Sustainable Washington Township Creative Team
2023
“How to Sculpt with Cement”, Lecture, Gloucester County Arts League, Deptford NJ
2024
Women in Sculpture, Garden Sculpture Show, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
2023
People of Earth, Perkins Art Gallery, Collingswood, NJ
Balance in Bloom, Sculpture in The Garden, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Where is the Human, East End Arts, Riverhead, NY
2022
Believe in Tomorrow, Sculpture In The Garden, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
2022
Photoshoot, Rutgers Horticultural Center and Gardens, New Brunswick, NJ
Photoshoot, Bartrum Gardens, Philadelphia, PA
2024
Public Art Grant Sculpture, Cape May Technical Institute high school RiSC group; science class, NJ Audobon, Resilient Schools and Communities (RiSC), Cape May Technical Institute, Cape May, NJ
2023-2024
Wintergarden, Theme: Pollinator Garden, The Wintergarden at Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
2023
Wintergarden, The Wintergarden at Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Spheres in the Rain Garden, Permanent Installation, Perkins Art Center, Collingswood, NJ
Spheres at the Amphitheater, Permanent Installation, Washington Lake Park, Sewell, NJ.
Climate Resilience Community-Based Public Art Grant, NJ State Council on the Arts, NOAA, NJ Coastal Management, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Ocean City Arts Center, Longport, NJ
Climate Resilience Community-Based Public Art Grant, NJ State Council on the Arts, NOAA, NJ Coastal Management, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Ocean City Arts Center, Strathmere, NJ
2021-2022
Wintergarden, The Wintergarden at Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
2024
Anonymous, Private Commission, Sewell, NJ
2023
Anonymous, Private Commission, Sewell, NJ
Anonymous, Private Commission, Elk Township, NJ
2022
Anonymous, Private commission, Philadelphia, PA
South Jersey Cultural Alliance, NJ
Americans for the Arts, Nationwide ArtPride, NJ
International Sculpture Center, NJ
DaVinci Art Alliance, PA
Association for Public Art, PA
Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, PA
InLiquid, PA
2024
Edlund, Carolyn, “Featured Artist”, Artsy Shark, March 8, 2024
2023
Staff Writer, “The Gallery in the Park hosts Meet the Artists Reception and Art Show on June 11th”, New Jersey Stage, June 1, 2023
Schultheis, Camryn, “Schiavo Library, Arts Center team up on project”, Ocean City Sentinel, July 19, 2023
Schultheis, Camryn, “‘Strath-spheres’ painted by residents are outside Schiavo Library, Ocean City” Ocean City Sentinel, August 2, 2023
Schultheis, Camryn, “Arts Center leading community installations” Ocean City Sentinel, June 28, 2023
O’Shae, Patrick, “What’s happening in South Jersey this weekend and beyond (Jan. 13-20”), NJ.com, January 12, 2023
