2023: Revitalizing Atlantic City Through Public Art

The Atlantic City Arts Foundation has served as a catalyst for change, dedicated to broadening Atlantic City’s visual and cultural identity through public arts initiatives since 2015.

Christian Correa & Nuala work on a mural at Cardinal

Working with our grant writer, Alice Woods, we received $362,000 in grant funding in 2023, including a $100,000 grant from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Combined with corporate sponsorships and individual donations, the organization raised $476,000 this year.

$222,000 went directly to artists, 70% of whom were Atlantic County-based.

“In Memory Of…” Kenneth Lazan, Jr., John Morris, Chanelle René.

The long-awaited Jacob Lawrence tribute mural, put on hold during the pandemic, was completed in the fall of 2023, located at Atlantic Cape Community College in the 3rd Ward, near Lawrence’s birthplace.

We invited residents and visitors to 19 community-focused events, designed to foster connections and nurture our vibrant and thriving arts community. 2023 included ACAF’s annual Chalk About AC with the return of the Color Run, in partnership with Atlantic City Marathon, and our annual 48 Blocks AC city-wide celebration with a return of Jitney Mural Tours—a restoration of two pre-pandemic experiences.

“Community in Bloom”. De’von Downes, Chanelle René.

19 murals were added to Atlantic City, including a series by globally-renowned muralists dubbing themselves “Foxx and Friends”.

Since 2017, ACAF has produced 103 murals throughout the 48 blocks of Atlantic City.

“The Orange Loop”. Helen Clymer.

Our 10th ARTeriors, ARTeriors at The James, welcomed 1,130 visitors during its month-long run. The kick-off party, co-hosted by Cardinal, was ACAF’s largest event to-date.

ARTeriors Baltic Avenue was also hosted in 2023, bringing 725 visitors through its doors in January.

Model Katie Weightman, painted by Heather Deegan-Hires, shares a laugh with local artist Lennox Warner during the ARTeriors kick-off party.

In partnership with the CRDA, 36 Adirondack chairs and 11 planter boxes were painted and installed for 48 Blocks AC. Investment from neighborhood CDCs ensured inventory was placed throughout the city’s neighborhoods in addition to on the Boardwalk.

Executive Director Kate O’Malley and Community Engagement Coordinator Jill Fermonte

We extend a special thank you to our top funders in 2023: ThriveAC Fund, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Waterwheel Foundation, Casiello Philanthropic Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, and Tapestry and to our top in-kind sponsor, Cardinal.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our growth and success in 2023 through sponsorships, donations, partnerships, in-kind contributions, and volunteer hours. None of this would be possible without your support. 2023 has been an extraordinary year and we cannot wait to keep building bigger and better in 2024!

The Elephant In The Room

The Elephant In The Room

An Ode to Lucy the Elephant which was founded on the same year as the James, 1880. Making it a travel destination for families from the tri-state. Stories told by neighbors say that before families returning home they would stop at the James to get their Salt Water Taffys. Also, “The Elephant In The Room” is a representation of TRFE, an artist collective that me and fellow ARTerior artist Anthony “Seper” Torcasio proudly represent.

Medium: Office Paper, Latex paint and Spray paint.

Christian “TAMEARTZ” Rodriguez

@tameartz | info@tameartz.com

The Waiting Room

The Waiting Room

Here you sit in a window … a world between worlds. Welcome to the waiting room, the portal between past and future.

KNOMAD

@knomad.art | knomadcolab.com

Sweet Atlantic City

Sweet Atlantic City

After seeing the old photos left behind in the taffy warehouse, it made me think of my grandparents who met in Atlantic City while my grandfather was training the diving horses on the beach. I imagined them in love and enjoying salt water taffy on the boardwalk during simpler times.

As an upholsterer for the Atlantic City casinos, it was important for me to incorporate sewing techniques and furniture design to create the feeling of nostalgia that everyone who has grown up here has felt at some point in time. 

I wanted to keep my pieces as true to Atlantic City history as I could, so most of the fabric used in this space is vintage dead-stock textile sourced from a local casino-hotel. The chairs are antiques while the ottoman, hearts and mirrors are all custom-built. 

Heather Shawne

@dyingbreedac

The Orange Loop

The Orange Loop

The Orange Loop is named after the section of the Monopoly board looping around New York, St. James and Tennessee Avenues.  Once an eyesore it is now becoming a destination just off the AC boardwalk. My art concept gives a fun “Mr. Rodgers “ trolly ride peek  at this new neighborhood of local restaurant & eateries, a beer hall, BBQ pit, a coffee shop and community minded studios.

Helen Clymer “Painted Lady Studio”

Sewing & Us

Sewing & Us

The installation depicts the narrative of the relationship between a woman, her sewing machine, and her grandchild. Conceicao Duarte is my grandmother who has spent her entire life as a Seamstress after being taken out of school at the fourth grade level. Her life has circled around constructing garments from material to a finished product to support her family as they built a life in Portugal, then restarted in America during the 80's. I grew up spending sick days from school curled up in a cane-backed chair in her store front, listening to the repetition of needle and thread as my mother and grandmother altered clothing for customers.

My vision for the installation is to transform a space to this familiar memory curled up in a chair to a moment of honoring her legacy. The two main points of focus are her old sewing machine and a portrait of her hanging from the ceiling that is printed on fabric and embroidered. Between the two points, the continuous stream of thread moves from the sewing machine bobbin into a chaotic, but organized, web and transforms into the materials used to embellish the portrait of Conceicao. By utilizing materials to connect both points, a juxtaposition between an industrialized object, process of production, and a moment of honor are shown in one connected thought.

The personal connection between machine and portrait comes from my personal exploration in sewing garments for my own healing following the death of my grandfather, Conceicao's husband. My healing comes from a skillset she depended on to provide for her family.

Danielle Adelaide

@danielle.adelaide.art | @danielle.adelaide.art | danielleadelaide.com

Nostalgia is Fleeting

Nostalgia is Fleeting

     Nostalgia can be tainted. There is a struggle to balance then and now. Oftentimes, we look back at once seemed to be simple pleasures, but are now iconic. We will look back 20 years from now, or even less, and reach for nostalgia. Is it an escape from the present, or is it pushing against the negative past and putting pleasures of the time on a pedestal? 

     When I was younger, I believed the world used to be black and white, and at some point in time, the world turned color. With no familiarity of the world before, only the current moment seemed to have color. Then, the world was overly saturated, in your face with neons, brightly colored toys, candies, magazines, marketing. At some point, we look back and feel dullness in the present. The world seems to lose color. 

     Nostalgia is a look in the past to bring color to the present, but in time, we'll seem to long for this current moment. Color always exists. Good memories, even in the bad exist and can be found. The past is no better than the present. 

     Find Color.

Annaliese Sylvester

@annaliesesylvester | annalieseart.com

Dear Tooth Fairy

Dear Tooth Fairy

Our piece is a recollection of the childhood excitement over the tooth fairy. 

We made this piece as a family because it was a joyous part of raising our children and we wanted to share with viewers the fantasy and innocence of this experience. 

Cara, John & Maya Vaughn

@Caralina_creates | @dangerous_cherub

The Candy Parlor

The Candy Parlor

“The Candy Parlor, a tribute by Miko Beach to his late father, draws inspiration from shared moments of movie-watching and candy indulgence. Nostalgia takes center stage as Miko incorporates a vintage 90s TV and VCR, creating a space that feels like a personal sanctuary for his dad. The blend of colorful elements with dark undertones evokes a captivating fusion of gothic and Candyland aesthetics. Painted canvases of cherished candies, adhesive sprinkles, and hand-painted pink, candy-like text add a unique touch. Stepping in evokes a sense of returning to the magic of cherished childhood memories.”

Miko Beach

Pop-Drip

Pop-Drip

Jade