The Arts are Back In Atlantic City

The Light with Raymond Tyler

Several important venues and organizations are back to providing spaces and opportunities for artists in Atlantic City.

The title of my column this week is a little deceptive. To say that “The arts are back in Atlantic City” would make one think that at some point the arts had left. “One” would be wrong.

Although recent events and health concerns had closed every public place up to but not including The Boardwalk, artists and art never stopped.

The Atlantic City Arts Commision under the leadership of Donna Shay continues to have public monthly meetings. The meetings are done through Zoom for the time being, however the commission (of which I am a member) continues to be the voice for The Arts in Atlantic City.

The Atlantic City Arts Commission website www.AtlanticCityArt.org  is a great resource for artists throughout South Jersey.

The Atlantic City Arts Foundation/ 48 Blocks (www.AtlanticCityArtsFoundation.org) has had to adapt as well. Under the leadership of Joyce Hagen the annual summer event 48 Blocks Atlantic City went from a weekend community celebration of the arts to a thoughtful virtual celebration. I was super proud to be interviewed and recognized as an important artist in AC/SJ for their “48 Blocks Meet The Artist Series.” I also got the opportunity to host a poetry discussion with two great poets Emari DiGiorgio and Cole Eubanks.

So while The Arts Commision and The The Arts Foundation both pressed on…so did artists everywhere. I can tell you about film makers that produced “zoom” films and others that shot through social distancing guidelines. There are poets and authors who finished those books they had been working on. In studios, homes and apartments…visual artists have continued to pour out their souls on paper, canvas and clay.

Sadly, after the death of George Floyd and the rebirth of Black Lives Matter, many more artists of color (including myself) have begun to make sure our voices and visions are no longer marginalized within the larger arts community of Atlantic City and South Jersey.

Like that I am out of space. However, my next column will continue this theme by sharing the comeback plans and success of The Arts Garage, The African American Heritage Museum and The AC Free Public Library.

You can connect with Raymond Tyler via Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram @RaymondTyler2018.