FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 22, 2020
Atlantic City, N.J. – The City of Atlantic City is partnering with the Stay Hungry Sports organization and the Atlantic City Arts Foundation (ACAF) to renovate the William J. Porter, III Basketball Court in the Lagoon Playground of the Venice Park neighborhood. Other partners involved in the renovation include Covenant House Atlantic City, Sgt. Sealcoat Asphalt Maintenance, and Amber Art and Design (AAD).
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. says “I am honored that the Atlantic City Arts Foundation partnered with the City on this project. My administration’s goal is to support the growing arts community and get them to support our efforts to improve blight and public parks, like the William “Billy” Porter Court. We support the Stay Hungry Stop The Violence Basketball League as it brings exposure to our city near and far. We look forward to another peaceful & successful season on a brand new court from The Atlantic City Arts Foundation.”
Support for the project comes from the City of Atlantic City Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Department via its K.R.P. (Knowing your Past…Realizing your Present…Preparing your Future) Initiative - Beyond Borders Program. The K.R.P. Initiative is a series of community-focused programs aimed at enhancing citizens' self-sufficiency through engagement with programs that expand knowledge while developing the leadership and social skills of participants.
The renovation of the court was inspired by the success of the five-week Stay Hungry Sports “Stop the Violence” Basketball Tournament held last summer in the park. The tournament featured some of the best-known South Jersey high school and college basketball players, and the games attracted crowds that surrounded the William J. Porter, III court at 1900 Columbia Ave.
Deshawn Ward, founder of the Stay Hungry Sports organization, is grateful for the court renovation and appreciates the efforts of everyone involved. Ward says, “Stay Hungry Sports is excited to be producing the second “Stop the Violence” Basketball Tournament in Lagoon Park this summer, and invites city residents to support the players and enjoy the games.”
Zach Katzen, program director for ACAF, adds “For a number of years, I’ve been following the work of a national nonprofit called Project Backboard that works with cities across the country to renovate courts in disrepair into mural-style courts. Inspired by their creations and the success the ACAF has had creating murals for 48 Blocks AC, we felt now was the time to bring the first art court to Atlantic City. After the success of last year’s Stay Hungry Sports basketball tournament, we felt they would be the perfect partners to work with on this historic project.”
All photos © Atlantic City Arts Foundation 2020.
Left to Right: Artist and ACAF Board Member Val Feo, Artist Christian Correa painting, Stay Hungry Mural in progress, Artist Charles Barwin mixing paint, drone shot of mural in progress.