Five years ago Raphie Etgar came up with the idea of exploring peaceful coexistence through art. As the director/curator of The Museum on the Seam in Jerusalem, he regularly works with artists representing the cacophony of Israeli society, including Arab and Jew, religious and secular, Eastern European and Middle Eastern.

Now that idea has grown into an exhibit, “Co-existence,” that has toured the world. Featuring the work of 42 artists from 19 countries, the exhibit has touched down in 24 cities from Cape Town to Prague, and in the United States from Washington to Minneapolis to Houston.

From April 28 to May 20 it will arrive in New Brunswick, where some 50 of the exhibit’s large-scale works will be installed throughout the city to bring “the universal message of diversity and acceptance to the world community,” according to the “Co-existence” Web site.

Each visual panel is accompanied by a text panel in four languages with quotes from leading thinkers, philosophers, writers, and artists.

“The most important key to this whole festival is that it will inspire dialogue among people, whether they are going to work or passing by while walking or seeing them from the train as it goes through,” said Rebecca Brenowitz, publicity coordinator at Rutgers University’s Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum in New Brunswick. Brenowitz is cochair of New Brunswick City Market, a nonprofit organization that promotes business opportunities in the city. “Art inspires people’s imaginations.”

As a host city, New Brunswick will contribute a permanent panel to add to the exhibition, chosen in a competition (see box).

Etgar, who established the Museum on the Seam in 1999, described it as a “socio-political” institution whose goal is “to bring about dialogue, understanding, and existence side by side in this region.” Located on the “seam” between the eastern and western sections of Jerusalem, its exhibits center on current affairs and controversial issues.

Its mission statement explains that the museum “sees art as a language with no boundaries and tries to communicate with all ages, religions, and nationalities. It is not always easy and we do not always succeed but we must continue to try and confront our misunderstandings and prejudices.”

Brenowitz, who is also cochair of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, recalled she was surfing the Web about 18 months ago when she came upon the Co-existence exhibition. She approached the Zimmerli, Rutgers, local businesses like Johnson & Johnson, and city officials.

“Everybody loved it,” recalled Brenowitz. “Before I knew it, the museum was supporting it, the mayor was supporting it, J&J — everybody was on board.”

Mayor James Cahill appeared at a November press conference with Etgar, Rutgers president Richard McCormick, and other officials from the university, the city, and Johnson & Johnson.

“With so many conflicts in the world today, New Brunswick can once again serve as an example of how we can look past our differences and come together for a common purpose,” said Cahill in a prepared statement. “Through the ‘Co-existence’ festival, we can show our community — and the world — it is still possible to reach understanding through simple interaction.”

McCormick said he hoped “these artworks will promote an increased dialogue and ultimately a better understanding of our neighbors.”

The exhibit is also cosponsored by HaloJen Productions of New Brunswick, which is overseeing its management. The artwork will be set up on the Old Queens campus of Rutgers on College Avenue, on the grounds of Johnson & Johnson’s world headquarters, on the lawn of the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick hotel, and on Monument Square adjacent to the new Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center downtown.

“All the images focus on understanding, identity, and respect,” said Brenowitz. “All people are different, yet the same. That’s something I’ve dealt with in the 15 years I’ve been on the East Brunswick Human Relations Council.”

A highlight of the festival will be May 5 and 6 when large portions of the downtown will be closed to allow for a street fair. City restaurants, stores, and organizations will be involved, Johnson & Johnson will hold a health fair, and there will be entertainment — including the Indigo Girls and Temptations.

“Rutgers Hillel will be part of the festival on Sunday,” May 6, said Brenowitz, who noted the art would still be up during Rutgers’ commencement May 16 and 17. “I expect there will be kosher food available. It will be so exciting because whether you want to or not, you will be interfacing with the art on the streets.”