Atlantic City one mural away from 100
Arts Foundation, Mighty Writers unveil latest efforts to brighten resort
ATLANTIC CITY — City resident Irene Scott said she had a lot of fun painting her first public art piece outside Cali's Grocery Store alongside two professional artists and the rest of the kids in her Mighty Writers Atlantic City group.
Little did the local children know they were not only learning skills that would make them better writers, but also contributing to the city's arts history.
In collaboration with the Atlantic City Arts Foundation, more than 60 local youth painted the foundation's 98th and 99th murals alongside artists Chanelle René and Manuela Guillén.
"Working together with Mighty Writers on this project is the type of community engagement which is essential to ACAF's mission," said Monica Casiello, the Arts Foundation's board president. "The children in the program can see and know that they have made a positive difference in their community through this mural with its vibrant colors and powerful message. The artists, sharing their time and talent, become good role models."
The murals are located on the side of Cali's General Store on Atlantic Avenue in the city's Chelsea neighborhood, down the street from the 15 N. California Ave. Mighty Writers location.
"It's very nice to be included and working with the Atlantic City Arts Foundation," said Tom Sykes, senior director of Mighty Writers Atlantic City, at the unveiling for the two murals Wednesday. "Growing up in Atlantic City, seeing how many murals are popping up here, it's just a beautiful way to bring some new expression to the city. And to have the children get involved with that was really awesome. A lot of them didn't even know what a mural was."
Mighty Writers is a nonprofit that seeks to help youth think clearly and write with clarity. The organization provides children with a safe space to learn to write better and develop skills that will help them make better choices.
"It teaches me great grammar skills, vocab, punctuation ... skills that everyone should have," said Adrian Castro, 14.
The program also addresses community needs by helping combat food insecurity with weekly food distributions at Stanley Holmes Village and Weekes Memorial Park.
"Not every kid is going to be a writer," said Sykes. "So it was also interesting for the kids to see people paint for a living. It was good exposure. Not many people realize — even adults — that these people were professional artists who were making a living creating art."
That allowed the youth to feel empowered, said Guillén.
"I wanted them to feel like their voice actually has a purpose. So one conversation about them wanting more green spaces, appreciating Mother Earth and just embracing nature led to this piece," she said. "I want them to know that they could potentially make a living off of this, make art that's impactful and meaningful. And sometimes you get to work with really cool clients."
It took the artists about three weeks to complete the murals.
René and the Mighty Writers painted a pastel mural with pops of bright color titled "You Make the World a Better Place."
Meanwhile, Guillén and the other youth painted "Green Voices, Green Choices."
The students helped both artists with quotes, brainstorming ideas and sketches. The pros melded their ideas with those of the youths to create a collective vision for the murals.
"I like to draw, so this taught me a lot of different techniques, strokes, but it also helped me get better at communicating with people and being positive," said Castro. "I've made a lot of friends here. We get to hang out, do activities and be together. So this makes me look forward to having the best summer you can possibly have."
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"I wanted them to feel like their voice actually has a purpose. So one conversation about them wanting more green spaces, appreciating Mother Earth and just embracing nature led to this piece. I want them to know that they could potentially make a living off of this, make art that's impactful and meaningful. And sometimes you get to work with really cool clients."
Manuela Guillén, Philadelphiabased artist, on working with the chilren of the Mighty Writers group