Atlantic City Arts Foundation

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Atlantic City Arts Foundation

Atlantic City's leading Public Arts organization, supporting artists & fostering community through creative programming.

Through programs and partnerships, ACAF promotes arts-based tourism and economic development initiatives while activating community pride and civic self-esteem. Programs include 48 Blocks Atlantic City, Chalk About AC and ARTeriors.

10/30/2026

spooky! 🦇👻🕷️

10/29/2026

📰 The Press of Atlantic City | FRONT PAGE | Oct. 22, 2026

MURAL HONORS AC FIREFIGHTERS

ATLANTIC CITY — A towering new mural celebrates the Black firefighters who helped open doors for generations of public servants in the city.

The 40-by-90-foot artwork, titled “The Door That Opened,” was celebrated Wednesday by the crew of Fire Station No. 2 at Indiana and Baltic avenues, alongside updates on a $4.6 million project to preserve and modernize the century-old firehouse.

Created by artist Chanelle René, 51, a West Cape May native, the mural is the Atlantic City Arts Foundation’s 107th commissioned work.

At its center, former city fire official and drill school commander Marvin E. Beatty Jr. stands in uniform as 4-year-old Quinn Morris, the daughter of John Morris, who assisted René with the artwork, gazes up at Beatty Jr.

READ MORE 🔗 acartsfoundation.org/press-articles/atlantic-city-unveils-new-firefighter-mural

10/26/2026

“This mural symbolizes belonging, community, and bravery. It's a portrait of what Black representation in the fire department and Atlantic City’s Northside means across generations. But ultimately, this mural ❤️‍🔥 belongs to the community. The people passing by who see themselves in some way and realize what’s possible. That’s the power of 'The Door That Opened' and public art.” - Muralist Chanelle René

To officially welcome "The Door That Opened" to its new home at Fire Station 2, the Atlantic City Fire Department performed a traditional "wet down" ceremony, using Engine 2 🚒 to spray water across the finished piece, akin to how the department welcomes new fire engines and douses 🧑‍🚒 recruits after completing department training.

Designed and executed by lead artist 🖌️ Chanelle René, with assistance from artist John Morris, the mural (ACAF’s 107th) stands as a landmark tribute to the 🏆 legacy of Atlantic City's Fire Station 2 in the historic Northside neighborhood and to the department’s first Black deputy chief, Marvin E. Beatty Jr. In addition to featuring Beatty, the mural includes a young girl looking up in 💓 admiration—modeled after John's daughter, Quinn.

Read more about the mural on our blog 🔗 acartsfoundation.org/blog/the-door-that-opened

GO SEE ⤵️⁣
🎨 "The Door That Opened" by Chanelle René, assisted by John Morris, 2026
📍Fire Station 2, Indiana & Baltic Avenues, Atlantic City

📸 1. ACAF Staff, 2-3. Press of Atlantic City.

🙏 Funded by City of Atlantic City - Government CDBG grant, NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Midtown Atlantic City CDC, and New Jersey Economic Development Authority NJEDA A.R.T. Phase 1.

10/21/2026

48 Blocks Festival: Right on Time! By The Numbers:

🎨 29 featured artists/artist collectives
🩰 13 live performances
💸 $20K+ paid to artists
🛍️ 19 marketplace vendors & 🍟 4 food vendors
🤝15 community partners
🙏 23 sponsors
🗳️ 19 advisory board members
💙 20 volunteers
🚌 1 Jitney & 🖼️ 6 free mural tours
🚀 1,100 attendees!

We can't wait to do it all again in September 2027!

10/19/2026

Meet us in the 🧡 Orange Loop for the last 2026📍🌾 Outside Lines: Thursday, November 12! We'll be gathering at 🍫 Bar32 from 6–8 pm. Please RSVP by November 5 for this 💬 FREE community meetup, convening artists, neighbors, collaborators, and the curious!

🎟️ RSVP by 11/5: outsidelinesnovember.eventbrite.com

✏️ Outside Lines
📅 Thursday, November 12
⌚ 6–8 pm
📍 Bar32 Chocolate, 121 S. Tennessee Avenue

Not focused exclusively on happy hours or networking, Outside Lines is an informal and inclusive space to ⚡ spark connection and conversation 👥 IRL. No pressure, no expectations. Just connection and community 💫 See you there!

A free community meetup to convene artists, neighbors, collaborators, and the curious at rotating locations in Atlantic City

10/16/2026

In an age of 🪄 generative AI, the Atlantic City Arts Foundation is committed to working with artists 🎨 and supporting human-made art. For 48 Blocks Festival: Right on Time! ⏳ we partnered with Dave Jones, aka Dusty Whale Art, to create the festival's key art.

Dave's application stood out for a few reasons:
✨ A unique interpretation of the theme that celebrated the culture of Atlantic City
✨ A design narrative that clearly expressed his concept and the medium(s) he would use
✨ Portfolio images that reinforced his ability to deliver on his concept
✨ A demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality, editable digital files for use across print & digital marketing

➡️ If you aren't already, make sure to follow !

10/13/2026

✨DO YOU WANT THIS SHIRT?✨Okay...it won't be ✨THIS✨ shirt, but every year for 48 Blocks Festival we print t-shirts exclusively for our staff & volunteers. It's one of the ways we say thank you to the folks who help make this incredible day possible.

➡️ You can score one next year—join our volunteer database now: acartsfoundation.org/volunteer 🔗

We have opportunities throughout the year to support the arts in Atlantic City.

Thank you to Dave Jones aka Dusty Whale Art for the incredible artwork for the 2026 festival!

10/09/2026

Join us today for the dedication of "Taking Up Space" by Germán Acosta and Amanda Auble: Atlantic City Arts Foundation's 106th mural!

📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
⏰ 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Corner of Dover Ave & Ventnor Ave (Next to Brewberry Cafe!)
🎶 Live entertainment 🥂 Light refreshments

Free & All Are Welcome!

🙏 "Taking Up Space" was commissioned by the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and made possible with support from Chelsea EDC, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority A.R.T. Phase 1 initiative, and ongoing partnership from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

10/07/2026

48 Blocks Festival: Right On Time! ⏰ A theme that wove its way through the festival—in art and spirit. What did the 2026 theme "Right on Time!" mean to you?

📸: Nastassia Davis

Address

Atlantic City, NJ

Website

http://www.atlanticcityartsfoundation.org/

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