Lead Artist De’von Downes with their completed mural, “Community in Bloom”, Photo by Nastassia Davis, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 14, 2023
Atlantic City, N.J. – On Friday, April 28 at 5 pm, the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and Chelsea EDC will host a dedication of “Community in Bloom” by De’von Downes and Chanelle René, located at 3119 Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City.
Located in Chelsea, the mural’s theme was driven by community input. The neighborhood, described as “a community in bloom,” is home to diverse cultures residing in harmony and celebrating their varied traditions. Residents sought a mural incorporating the music, food, flags, and flowers of their home countries. They also wanted to incorporate the neighborhood’s vibrant home gardens and their beloved cat colonies.
“Community in Bloom” Detail, Photo by Nastassia Davis, 2023
Lead artist De’von Downes was inspired by the community’s gardens, which foster cross-generational relationships and respect for your home and nature. They incorporated several countries' symbols into the motif - national fruits, flowers, and birds - creating a striking, colorful mural celebrating Chelsea’s diversity. The mural centers on two figures, an elderly Latinx woman and a young boy, planting a seedling below Thurgood Marshall’s words: “In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” Downes shared, “‘Community in Bloom’ honors our connection to nature and the importance of carrying our traditions and culture with us wherever we go. I hope it inspires all generations to honor where they’re from and the communities they live in now.”
Join us to dedicate “Community in Bloom”:
Friday, April 28, 2023 at 5 pm
3119 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Refreshments will be provided by Chelsea EDC. Street parking is available.
De’von at work, Photo by Nastassia Davis, 2023
Chanelle & De’von, Photo by Nastassia Davis, 2023
Finishing touches, Photo by Nastassia Davis, 2023
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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 a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Learn more: atlanticcityartsfoundation.org | IG: @acartsfoundation | facebook.com/acartsfoundation
“Community in Bloom” was sponsored by Chelsea EDC. Chelsea EDC, an independent nonprofit organization, partners with residents, businesses, and community organizations to expand economic opportunity and to improve the quality of life in the Chelsea neighborhood. The EDC’s focus area is a 0.75 square mile area from Annapolis Avenue to Texas Avenue and from the Beach to the Bay, and includes Stockton University, South Jersey Gas Headquarters, and the Tropicana, as well as 10,000 residents and 150 small businesses. Chelsea’s greatest assets are its diversity of people and amenities, as well as its pristine beach, expansive bay access, and beautiful green spaces.
For more information, visit www.ChelseaEDC.org
Artist housing was provided by ACBNB. acbnb.com