It’s a maze of amazing art.
A formerly empty lot on Stillwell Avenue behind Nathan’s Famous hot dog palace has been transformed into an outdoor art gallery. Earlier this year, more than 20 artists descended on the empty walls to add their murals to the Coney Art Walls exhibit. One Coney Island muralist says that the show is a trip like no other.
“You just wander along and you’re at an art museum,” said Marie Roberts, who also paints banners for the Circus Sideshow at Coney Island USA and runs painting workshops at her studio above the arts center. “I’ve never had an exhibition where I could look at fireworks over my paintings. I think it’s magic.”
Her mural, located at the front of the Art Walls exhibit, welcomes visitors with fanciful portraits of Coney Island’s most famous contemporary characters. Roberts painted a number of local “freaks” and sideshow performers, including sword-swallower Betty Bloomerz and sidewalk “talker” Mr. Strange.
Contributors to the Art Walls exhibit were chosen by gallery owner Jeffrey Deitch, at the behest of Thor Equities, which manages the lot. Deitch was an early proponent of graffiti art in the 1980s and helped push its acceptance in the mainstream art world. A number of artists who contributed to the Art Walls call Brooklyn home, but Deitch also commissioned artists from far outside the borough. French-Tunisian artist eL Seed, Los Angeles-based Retna, and the British pair London Police all painted stunning pieces for the exhibit.
Seven local food and drink vendors have also set up shop at the Art Walls. Bay Ridge’s Circles Grill, Table 87 out of park Slope, Gianna’s Italian Ice and Cafe La Notte from Gravesend, the multi-location Calexico, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que from Gowanus all serve fresh food from converted shipping containers there, enticing beachgoers and thrillseekers into the exhibit.
The unmistakably smoky smell of Dinosaur Barbecue wafting over to W. 15th Street more than did the trick for this reporter. The Jurassic restaurant’s pulled pork sandwiches literally dripped with flavor and the racks of ribs were hard to resist. Sides of potato salad, cole slaw, and a cucumber and tomato salad added some veggie options to the otherwise carnivorous dishes.
After your meal, you will want to wait an hour before jumping into the water — and possibly more before being turned upside down by the Thunderbolt — so use the time to take a leisurely stroll through the Art Walls.
Coney Art Walls (3050 Stillwell Ave. between Bowery Street and Boardwalk West). Free.
