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Tina Notaro 5/21/25 Tina Notaro 5/21/25

Missing Zebra Returns to Atlantic City

Stephanie Segal Miller (center) with her “dazzle” of assistants, artists (left to right) Emily White, Tabitha Brown, and Dylan Caccamesi, and contractor JD from JDR Services. Photo by Sydney Vuong, 2025.

We didn’t need any special permits to bring Stephanie Segal Miller’s zebra back to Atlantic City, so we did. "It was a joy to return to Atlantic City,” Stephanie says. “The community welcomed me back with open arms, children zipped by on bicycles and visited with us after school, residents stopped by to talk, offered us food and drinks, and there was the happy surprise from a woman who told me her grandson had memorized the text, which celebrates each person’s uniqueness.”

“Every zebra’s stripes are unique, just like the fingerprints of that other exotic, fascinating, unique animal – the human being. You!”

*Stephanie Segal Miller with Tina Notaro, ACAF’s program manager.*

Stephanie adorned this positive message on a 50-foot wall in the Northside neighborhood, spelled out emphatically in large black-and-white capitalized text, and validated by the larger-than-life illustrated zebra standing proudly on the adjoining page, a spread inspired by the artist’s original children’s book U is for Urial: An Animal Alphabet.

When Stephanie first painted her Z is for Zebra mural in 2021, residents and neighbors of the nearby Shore Park Hi Rise visited with the artist at work and shared compliments and stories, admiring and engaging with the piece in their own unique ways. Whether it was assisting a grandmother in teaching her grandson to read, or serving as the exotic background in product photos for a custom sneaker designer who lives next door, the zebra was a well-loved creature in an often overlooked, in-the-cut neighborhood.

In the years since, underlying insufficiencies in the wall required repair and complete removal of the mural. Without adequate preparation to the wall surface, any mural is subject to accelerated deterioration from natural elements like sun exposure, humidity, rain, and freeze-thaw cycles. Long-lasting murals also require a UV-protective clear coat to guard against sun damage that dulls dark and vibrant colors, and an anti-graffiti coating to protect against vandalism. The Atlantic City Arts Foundation maintains an ongoing partnership with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to seal, protect, and clean outdoor murals in support and service to public art and its preservation.

Thanks to our recent NJEDA funding, ACAF worked with JDR Services to resurface and prep the wall for the zebra’s triumphant return, which included scraping off a decade’s worth of paint layers, grinding down uneven surfaces, and applying multiple coats of primer. This thorough effort will add years to the new mural’s longevity.

Stephanie, a former Atlantic City resident, recently relocated to Florida with her husband Joel, where she has been exploring new mediums in glasswork and jewelry. An 18-hour drive brought her back to town, with local accommodations generously provided by Cozy Cohost and their hospitable team (thank you Alanna!), and supplemented by additional support from our friends at Cardinal Restaurant and Hayday Coffee in the Orange Loop.

Upon her arrival, overcast skies and mild temperatures were “perfect” conditions for Stephanie to begin work with her team of local assisting artists: Tabitha Brown, Dylan Caccamesi, Emily White, and Nadia Chiorazzo. Starting with a measured and marked chalk-line grid, Stephanie instructed her assistants through every step of the process. Slowed only briefly by the errant springtime rainshower, cloudy skies gave way to warm and sunny days, where paint met primer at an efficient pace.

*Stephanie instructing assistants Tabitha & Nadia. Photo by Sydney Vuong, 2025.*

*Emily White works on adding the mural’s title to the wall.*

Over eight days, including Stephanie’s observance of the Sabbath, a lost artwork was restored. In that brief time, many of the same residents and neighbors who had witnessed the mural’s initial arrival, slow destruction, and ultimate removal, now welcomed its return with gratitude and hospitality.

According to Stephanie, the best view of this piece is from just beyond the next-door driveway, where two verdant hedges flank the zebra, peeking out from between the green leaves.

The best view of this piece, according to Stephanie, from just beyond the next-door driveway, where two verdant hedges flank the zebra, peeking out from between the green leaves. Photo by Sydney Vuong, 2025.

Loryn Lyn Simonsen 11/7/23 Loryn Lyn Simonsen 11/7/23

MEDIA ADVISORY: ARTeriors at The James, the 10th iteration of Atlantic City Arts Foundation’s pop-up art exhibit, opens Friday, November 10

ARTeriors at The James, the 10th iteration of Atlantic City Arts Foundation’s pop-up art exhibit, opens Friday, November 10

Media Advisory – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 7, 2023

(Atlantic City, NJ) – ARTeriors at The James opens Friday, November 10th with an Opening Night soirée from 6-9 pm. The James Taffy Building at 1519 Boardwalk, former home to the iconic James Candy Company, is now reborn as an immersive pop-up art installation, thanks to the creativity of 25 extraordinary artists. From the sweet origins of Salt Water Taffy in 1880 to the present, each installation lovingly weaves in the rich tapestry of this historic site.

Since its start, ARTeriors has highlighted the potential of Atlantic City and brought the impact of the arts to the forefront. In 2015, four local artists transformed 121 S. Tennessee Avenue, when the Orange Loop neighborhood was on the cusp of redevelopment and renewal. The inaugural location became MADE Atlantic City Chocolate and is currently Bar 32.

“Returning to the Orange Loop for the 10th iteration of ARTeriors, 8 years after our initial program, is incredibly powerful. The neighborhood has transformed into a hub for arts and culture while Atlantic City has become a place that uplifts and expands the arts. Surrounded by new businesses, a thriving arts scene, and an eager, supportive community I’ve never felt more is possible for ARTeriors, the Atlantic City Arts Foundation, and Atlantic City,” shared Kate O’Malley, ACAF executive director.

Tickets for the opening are $30 and include admission, food by Cardinal, and two drink tickets for beverages from The Seed and Little Water Distillery. The event will feature music by DJ Lousy and free parking is available in Cardinal’s lot, located on New York Avenue next to the restaurant. Visit acartsfoundation.org/arteriorsthejames for tickets; purchases will also be available at the door.

WHEN: Friday, November 10, 2023, from 6-9 pm

WHERE:

The James
1519 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

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The Atlantic City Arts Foundation’s diverse programs & partnerships activate community pride & civic self-esteem through interaction with public art, including the city’s largest mural arts program. ACAF is dedicated to increasing public art access and fostering community art appreciation in Atlantic City, NJ. Programs include 48 Blocks Atlantic City, Chalk About AC and ARTeriors. ACAF is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. www.atlanticcityartsfoundation.org/

Loryn Lyn Simonsen 10/5/23 Loryn Lyn Simonsen 10/5/23

PRESS RELEASE: Globally Renowned Muralist BK Foxx Returns to Atlantic City to Reimagine “Not For Sale” Mural

Globally Renowned Muralist BK Foxx Returns to Atlantic City to Reimagine “Not For Sale” Mural

6 Fellow Artists to Create Murals in The Orange Loop between October 10-20, 2023

Press Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 3, 2023

In 2019, New York-based muralist BK Foxx was the first artist to agree to participate in Atlantic City Arts Foundation’s launch of “48 Blocks AC Mural Week.” She raised the bar for mural art in Atlantic City, creating a 3-part mural that resulted in a GIF of a ripping check. In the past years, the wall has fallen into disrepair—BK is returning to reimagine the wall into a fresh mural and she’s bringing along 6 fellow artists to create new murals throughout the Orange Loop!

“When you spend some time in AC, you realize under all the grit and madness there are some of the most authentic, full souls you'll ever meet. I felt the spirit of the place and people when I first visited in 2019—it’s like few other places I've been. I've developed a deep love and appreciation for the 48 blocks of AC and the weird wild city that lives around the casinos. I’m excited to return for the 4th time, along with some other incredible artists, to create public art around the city that has been designed for AC,” shares Foxx.

The program, conceived by Foxx and billed as “Foxx & Friends”, is the largest concurrent mural project in Atlantic City–7 artists will create 6 murals in 10 days. The murals will be concentrated in the Orange Loop, furthering the vision of investors and developers Evan Sanchez & Zenith Shah of Authentic City Partners and Pat Fasano to transform the loop into a hub for arts and culture, leveraging the arts as an economic driver of further revitalization throughout the city.

“With the launch of Cardinal in the spring, Zenith and I have accelerated efforts and investments towards bringing more public art to the Orange Loop–expanding an already burgeoning arts zone and furthering our vision to build community through partnerships with organizations like ACAF and Create 48,” shares Sanchez.

ACAF has partnered with Create 48, led by Zach Katzen, to host the muralists and organize community events during their stay. “Foxx & Friends” is meant to be a celebration of Atlantic City, representing ACAF & Create 48’s ongoing commitment to collaboration and to welcoming artists from around the world into our community, creating ambassadors for our city around the globe.

The participating mural artists and their mural locations are: BK Foxx of Long Island, NY at 2309 Pacific Ave., Hiero Veiga of Brockton, MA & Vizsla Bacon of Toronto, Canada at 190 S Kentucky Ave., CPWon of Chile, currently based in Miami, FL at 26 S Kentucky Ave, Golden 305 of Venezuela, currently based in Miami, FL at 137 S New York Ave, Ruben Ubiera of the Dominican Republic, currently based in Miami, FL at 139 Westminster Ave, and Jenna Morello of Brooklyn, NY at 153 S New York Ave.

The community is encouraged to visit the mural sites to witness the transformation throughout the 10-day installations, October 10-20, 2023. We will also be hosting community events:

Thursday, October 12, 6-9 pm – Meet & Greet with the Artists The Seed, featuring live music by Luke Witherspoon (Suggested Donation: $10)
Thursday, October 12, 10 pm – Dance Party at Boogie Nights (Cover Charge)
Wednesday, October 18, 8 pm – Screening of “Portrait of Etika”, a short film by BK Foxx at The Garden at Cardinal (Suggested Donation: $10)

For further information about “Foxx & Friends”, visit acartsfoundation.org/foxxandfriends.

“Foxx & Friends” is made possible by funding and partnership of CRDA, Authentic City Partners, Pat Fasano, Bar 32, Rhythm and Spirits, Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Cardinal, Hayday Coffee, ACBNB, Dorsey Construction, Tony’s Baltimore Grill, Tony Baloneys, The Hook, Hard Rock Atlantic City, Little Water Distillery, The Seed, Sea Suite Capital II LLC, Side Pony Print Shop, Midtown in Motion, Atlantic City Community Fund, Community Development Block Grant, and Pena Productions.

Ongoing support is provided by Atlantic Cape Community College and NJSCA.

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