City of Asbury Park Launches Summer 2021 Mural Art Project and
Sponsors Cookman Avenue Live! Music Series to Support ReOPEN Initiative
5/28/21, Asbury Park, NJ – The City of Asbury Park’s Public Art Commission, in partnership with the Asbury Park Arts Council and the Asbury Park Music Foundation, is pleased to announce two programs in support of the City’s ReOpen (Realizing Opportunities for Public Enjoyment of Neighborhoods) initiative. The Summer 2021 Mural Art Project features mural installations by 13 local and regional participating artists along Cookman Avenue and in Springwood Park. The Cookman Avenue Live! Music Series will bring live performances to Cookman Avenue throughout the summer. Both programs aim at bringing art center stage this summer after a long hiatus of exposure to the arts for many.
The Summer 2021 Mural Art Project will be part of a larger self-guided walking, biking and/or scooting public art tour. The 13 Summer Mural Art Project artists, chosen from over 60 submissions, range from the nationally known George Bates to burgeoning talents like high schooler Ziyanah Davis. Artists include Bates, who painted the defining Asbury Ocean Club mural, as well as Davis, Caroline DeFelice, Jennifer DiZefalo, Brianne DeLorme, Margalit Fox-Romano, Brittany James, Mike Indorato, Courtney Pasterchick, Michael Teters, Charles Trott, Isabella Ybarra, and Alex Zanellato.
“We were really pleased that the call for artists by the City resulted in over 60 responses,” says Director of Planning and Redevelopment Michele Alonso, “The art submissions were vetted not only on style, technique and medium, but based on a need to curate an experience that showcased a truly diverse selection of artists and artwork.”
“One of the things that has set Asbury Park apart through the years is our wealth of creators in all art forms,” says Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, “Our public murals on the boardwalk are probably the most instagrammable attractions we have. And while our art community offers a myriad of performance art that includes comedy, spoken word, dance and theater; the Public Art Commission and the Asbury Park Arts Council's commitment to producing as much public art for people to experience is another example of the creative minds that make Asbury Park what it is.”
“Public art is essential and especially in the times like we are living in currently, where experience has been so virtual and digital in the last year,” says Jenn Hampton, Parlor Gallery owner, Chair of the Public Art Commission, and Asbury Park Arts Council founding board member, “I think that it is inspiring to bring a group of artists together that may have never painted in the public or among other artists. It only will help to grow our local art community, which has been devastated in the last year because of Covid-19 and prior to that from raising rents that make it unaffordable for a creative class to live and work here. It's so great to be able to offer this opportunity to artists. I only hope that it is the first of many projects, locally.”
Funding support for the 2021 Summer Mural Art Project was made by NJ Clean Communities, the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, the Asbury Park Arts Council, Russell Lewis of Watermark, and Monmouth Arts.
In partnership with the City of Asbury Park, the Asbury Park Music Foundation has created the Cookman Avenue Live! concert series to bring live music to the downtown this summer as part of the City’s ReOPEN initiative supporting recovery for local businesses from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Music is an essential part of Asbury Park’s community,” says Councilperson Eileen Chapman, “We are thrilled to launch the Cookman Avenue Live! music series for residents and visitors to enjoy, and hope that the series will draw them back over and over again.”
Performances will be held every Friday (7-9pm) and Sunday (3-5pm) from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. The first performance starts Friday, 5/28 from 7-9pm and features Mr Tickle Hands.
The program is also sponsored by the Asbury Park Press, Lake House Music Academy, Asbury Underground, Asbury Sunset and Live Music Loyalty.
For a full line up of Cookman Avenue Live! performances, visit www.asburyparkmusiclives.org.
For more information on the City of Asbury Park, visit www.cityofasburypark.com.