After five successful years bringing world-class art to downtown Jacksonville, ArtRepublic has announced a new partnership with the city of Atlantic Beach with the new AR x AB enLIGHTen Art Festival.
On April 22-25, international, regional and local artists will descend upon Atlantic Beach to highlight the community’s history and become catalyzers for Mayport Road’s beautification and revitalization efforts through a wellness-centric art festival.
“Genuine human interaction and a connected community is needed now more than ever,” said Jessica Santiago, CEO of ArtRepublic. “Artists can open our hearts and minds, inspire us and help create a sense of community.”
Some of the festival’s highlights will be a landmark mural on the flyover bridge from Atlantic Boulevard to Mayport Road, a digital art installation projected over One Ocean Resort and Spa, guided tours of the new murals on Mayport Road, an Earth Day beach cleanup and a wellness-centered speaker series at One Ocean Resort and Spa.
"In a canvas as beautiful as Atlantic Beach, we have a unique opportunity through our partnership with ArtRepublic, to bring awareness to our history, community, healthy ways of life and future by turning our walls over to talented artists – locally and from across the globe – to help us transform Mayport Road into an art corridor for the beaches," said Atlantic Beach Mayor Ellen Glasser. "Sun, sand, culture and art! The enLIGHTen Art Festival will be a great and inspiring opportunity to highlight our local businesses, local artists and safely enjoy our coastal community that we love so much."
The ArtRepublic by Atlantic Beach enLIGHTen Art Festival’s sponsors include the city and Haskell. Haskell has been the presenting sponsor of ArtRepublic since its inception.
“This is such an electrifying time for our team as we transition from downtown, and the success of our previous years, to the beaches,” said Santiago. “The city of Atlantic Beach and its mayor know first-hand the importance of art as an agent for change and community pride, and we are looking forward to this creative partnership during a weekend of creative activities, community events, wellness and art in Atlantic Beach.”
ArtRepublic is looking for local artists to participate in the event. Those interested can email ArtRepublic at info@artrepublicglobal.com for more details. Anyone interested in sponsoring an artist or mural can also contact ArtRepublic online. The city of Atlantic Beach has committed to matching any private mural sponsorships.
As the headquarter hotel for the festival, One Ocean Resort and Spa is offering a special rate for a staycation or spring beach getaway during the event. The rate can be booked online.
The complete lineup of artists, events and the location of be murals will be revealed via social media in the next few weeks.
Find ArtRepublic on Instagram at @artrepublicglobal for all the updates.
