Press Release: ‘48 Blocks Atlantic City’ Unites Community Virtually on August 7 - 9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 3, 2020

Atlantic City, N.J. – Celebrate the diversity and culture of Atlantic City from the comfort of home this weekend as the fourth annual “48 Blocks Atlantic City” celebration goes live online Aug. 7-9

“48 Blocks Atlantic City,” so named because Atlantic City is 48 blocks long, is a 48-hour celebration of the arts & cultural community of Atlantic City.  A central goal of the event is to engage the regional community in the celebration of public art in Atlantic City as well as to enjoy and learn from the creative talents of its residents.

Joyce Hagen, executive director of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation (ACAF), says, “In the spring we made the decision to take 48 Blocks AC to an online format.  I knew that many of the members our creative community would rise to the occasion and create program ideas to engage our audience – and indeed, they have!  Being online offers new possibilities for them to share their talents.”

The three-day schedule includes live and recorded events with titles like “The Art of Cooking,” “Mad Libs for Adults,” and “You Are Here! Postcards from AC.”  Viewers will be able to sit back and enjoy performances by the Bay Atlantic Symphony and the Atlantic City Ballet as well as learn how to juggle and how to make a memory doll that will hold one’s memories of COVID-19.  The usual free jitney mural tours cannot run through the city, but there are two virtual mural tours included in the online event (one by bicycle), but people are also encouraged to take their own socially-distanced mural tours.

Hagen says the schedule is arranged in thematic blocks – yoga and meditative events in the mornings, Saturday afternoon is geared toward young and young-at-heart, Sunday afternoon features blocks of Atlantic City-themed segments and artist segments, early evenings are geared toward happy-hour segments, and evenings are relaxing events and theatrical productions.

Lisa Honaker, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities of Stockton University agrees. “Stockton University is so happy and proud to continue our partnership in 48 Blocks AC in this meaningful way during these unique times,” she said.  “”As an anchor institution in Atlantic City and the region, we delight in sharing our resources to strengthen the region, and value our relationship with ACAF as a creative partner.”

More information about the event is available at www.atlanticcityartsfoundation.org and on the AC Arts Foundation social media channels.

48 Blocks Atlantic City is a program produced by the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and its major partner Stockton University.  It is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Stockton University.

The Atlantic City Arts Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public art access and fostering community art education in Atlantic City, NJ. Through programs and partnerships, ACAF promotes arts-based tourism and economic development initiatives while increasing community pride and civic self-esteem. Programs include 48 Blocks Atlantic City, Chalk About AC and ARTeriors.

Left to Right:

Yvonne Battle-Felton - photo credit © Ian Robinson. Yvonne will present a LIVE segment entitled "You are Here! Postcards from Atlantic City" on Sunday at noon. Yvonne will be presenting this online storytelling open mic in which five writers will have five-seven minutes to share fiction or non-fiction stories set in and/or inspired by Atlantic City.

Valerie Feo - Val will present a LIVE segment entitled "So Val Art - At Home Studio Tour" on Sunday at 4:30 pm. Valerie will welcome you into her home for a Virtual Gallery Tour of 6-8 original works of art.

Ray Tyler - photo credit © David Harris.  Ray will present a LIVE segment entitled - "Poetry Curated by Raymond Tyler" on Saturday at 6:30 pm.  Ray has invited a few poets to read original poetry with him during his event.

Tina Notaro - Tina will teach viewers how to juggle during a LIVE segment on Saturday at 3 pm.  Have some juggling balls or balled up socks ready!

Press Release: The City of Atlantic City Partners with Community Organizations to Renovate the Lagoon Park Basketball Court

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.