The Atlantic City Arts Foundation is proud to announce the completion of its 101st mural in the city. “Beneath the Waves” by artist Susan Daly now adorns Hot Bagels and More at 212 Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City. A public mural unveiling was held at 11am on October 31, 2024.
Lead artist Susan Daly’s artistic journey is defined by a rich legacy of crafting bespoke artwork for diverse clientele, including casinos, restaurants, and private commissions. She was born in Trenton and holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in NYC for Illustration. Daly has transformed numerous walls with her masterpieces over the years; her extensive portfolio showcases a myriad of artistic expressions, revealing a deep passion for her craft. Her roots in South Jersey anchor her work, with prominent locations in Atlantic City, where she installed the blue skies in The Quarter at Tropicana and at Caesar’s. For the 101st mural, Daly’s design was selected by a review committee of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and Inlet Community Development Corporation representatives in consultation with the Hot Bagels owners. Daly, who lives in nearby Northfield, was assisted in installing this mural by exceptional local artist Marcos Monteiro, who is himself an aquarium enthusiast.
“Beneath the Waves” illustrates the local fish we catch and consume, and the marine giants we protect and avoid. The mural’s electric style uses natural and unnatural colors in a loose painting style. This produces a fun, vibrant, eye-catching, whimsical illustration with blue swirls representing ocean currents and breezes that anchor the large elements together. Each image was outlined in deep red to complement the vibrant logo colors of the bagel shop logo. Included in the local marine life mural are fish (stripers, flounder, cod, and tog), blue claw crabs, oysters, clams, scallops, mussels, jellyfish, stingrays, a seal, a hammerhead shark and a humpback whale. The utility meter behind the building has been transformed into a bright octopus. Seagulls greet customers on the building facade, eager for a scrap of pork roll, egg, and cheese.
This project is a partnership between the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and the Inlet CDC to support small businesses and bring art to the vibrant Inlet neighborhood, situated at the north end of Absecon Island. Inlet CDC coordinated support for the business to beautify its facade, install new windows, and sponsor the artwork.
Susan Daly, lead artist, shared:
I paint for the people and design for the location. When I saw the call for proposal and visited Hot Bagels the first thing I saw was the electric utility meter as an octopus. From there I drew on my childhood love of crabbing, fishing, and the fresh fish we enjoy. I also wanted to include the dolphins and whales that swim in our waters and tragically wash up on our beaches. The best part of painting this mural was meeting such great people and experiencing the excitement of the community for my creation. Thank you to everyone who stopped to say hello and for allowing me to contribute my mural art to the Inlet neighborhood of Atlantic City.
Michael Atkins, Executive Director, commented:
I absolutely love the design and artistry Sue has brought to an iconic Atlantic City business. Her attention to the wonderful diversity of local marine life invites a mindfulness that we are one with the ocean even when we enjoy a breakfast sandwich. I am grateful that Sue lent her creative talents to the city at a location that I know will attract many admirers.
Atlantic City Art Foundation’s 101st Mural is made possible through the generous support of Inlet Community Development Corporation, with additional support from New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
