By Krystle J Bailey
“Somebody sees something like that, and it might change their life,” expressed an awestruck pedestrian strolling the 2300 block of Pacific Avenue last Wednesday afternoon.
The larger-than-life artwork that stopped the local resident in his tracks is the newly restored “Not For Sale” mural by internationally recognized artist BK Foxx, who returned to Atlantic City to reimagine her 2019 concept on the side of Bullshots Bar.
Only this time, she brought friends.
The “BK Foxx and Friends” mural installation project was conceptualized in 2019 by Create 48 founder Zach Katzen following BK’s first visit to the city for the inaugural “48 Blocks AC Mural Week.” In partnership with the Atlantic City Arts Foundation, that vision was brought to fruition last week as six international muralists descended on Atlantic City with cans of spray paint in hand.
“This is the fourth time I’ve been here to paint,” Foxx shared with Shore Local. “After the first time, we bonded, me and the city.”
“There is absolutely no entitlement here, and it’s so rare to find that,” she went on to explain as she layered vibrant strokes of spray paint onto the 40×50-foot wall. “It’s been nothing but welcoming here, and it’s so rare that you find that. You could go to some of the nicest places in the world, and they’re not going to treat you like that. It’s not real. That’s one of the things I so appreciate about Atlantic City is the authenticity of the people here.”
Each of BK’s friends, all of whom had never visited Atlantic City prior to last week, echoed the New Yorker’s sentiments about their affinity for our shore town. As BK revamped the thought-provoking mural in the Ducktown area of the city, her friends Jenna Morello, Golden 305, Ruben Ubiera, CPWon, Hiero Veiga, and Vizla Bacon beautified the Orange Loop area with five more captivating murals. With paint left over, Golden and his 20-year-old daughter Ange of Miami, Fla., even added a bonus mural in Pleasantville. Each muralist expressed their excitement to be a part of the growing local arts scene and their eagerness to return to a place Ruben Ubiera described as “our kind of city.”
Ubiera, recognized for his signature gorillas, dynamic utilization of lines, and deconstructed subjects, refers to himself as a Postgraffism artist.
“I don’t do graffiti,” he explained. “I couldn’t find a better way to voice what I do. I came to America through The Bronx, and I quickly learned how incredible street art was. I had already painted with oils, but I had never seen that kind of contrast. It was so immediate and so raw.”
Ubiera’s “Cardinal Rules” mural on the beach block of Westminster Ave features three deconstructed gorillas depicting the Japanese proverb, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” kept company by a duo of not-so-friendly seagulls. A purple and white flower climbs the building’s water pipe while the doors and windows are disguised by blue chops of color.
“I try to balance a lot of my paintings with the powers that rule the world, which I believe are love and fear,” explained Ruben. “I use beautiful colors that complement each other with subject matters that are not typically known as soft.”
Hiero Veiga of Massachusetts and Vizla Bacon of Canada painted a collaboration mural on Kentucky Avenue, depicting themes of rebirth and regret. Each muralist explained that their art tends to be a reflection of their personal life story.
“My mission in life is to do the things that haven’t been done every single time,” shared Veiga, who has been painting professionally for the last 15 years.
A block away from Bacon and Veiga’s mural in viewing distance is Miami-based artist CPWon’s brightly colored depiction of a young Caesar. Originally from Chile and with a fondness for his Italian grandparents, CP often uses Italian references in his art. At the bottom of the brightly-colored painting lies Caesar’s crown, which CP says is either “fallen” or “to be righted,” but left up to the viewer’s interpretation.
“There’s an optimism in Atlantic City that I want to be able to feed into,” shared CP, who returned to paint for the second time. “I love the spirit of this place.”
Over on New York Avenue, Brooklyn-based muralist Jenna Morello adorned the side of Hayday coffee shop with a vibrant display of orange, yellow, purple, and pink flowers. Behind her, the father and daughter duo, Golden 305, completed a mural designed exclusively for the area.
With bubble letters spelling out “Orange Loop” across the top of the building, Golden and Ange introduced a new character to their signature angel and devil duo – the seagull who wears all-black sunglasses and stands confidently between the opposing forces.
Prior to their stop in Atlantic City, Golden and his daughter Ange had been traveling for months decorating cities around the world and will be painting in Puerto Rico for the month of November.
“I teach her where everything comes from so she understands,” shared Golden. “She’s had the privilege of hanging out with the people who started the movement. She knows where everything started and why. Graffiti is the root of street art.”
Each muralist paid homage to the artists who paved the way for legal street art and expressed a deep gratitude to be able to create freely in the way that they do.
“Spray cans did to the art world what skateboarding did to the sports world,” stated Ruben Ubiera. “There’s no school for graffiti. It becomes something of a self-discipline.”
Collectively, BK Foxx and Friends installed six new murals in Atlantic City and are all anticipating their return to fill the city with more art.
In reference to the “Not For Sale” mural, BK says, “We promote money and fame like that is the basic tenet of our culture, and I wanted something that was a little different essentially to say, “You can’t just buy anything in the world; some things are not for sale.”
Learn more about the “BK Foxx and Friends” program and the Atlantic City Arts Foundation at atlanticcityartsfoundation.org.
“The greatest thing for me is what it all comes back to is just my love for the city, my desire to see it grow and live up to its full potential,” stated Zach Katzen in retrospect. “Art and public art is a main component of any thriving, bustling real city.”
Krystle J Bailey is a published author, multimedia journalist, copywriter, and content creator. She is a regular Shore Local columnist and digital contributor as well as the booking agent and co-host of the radio show Joe’s Table for Two on WOND. Krystle can be reached at KrystleJBailey@gmail.com .
