Coney Art Walls makes a triumphant return to Coney Island this summer with 21 new walls celebrating the glory and creativity of street art.

Marie Roberts

Dubbed the “Outdoor Museum of Street Art,” Coney Art Walls features works from an impressive lineup of 34 urban artists from around the globe, including Haze, Eine, Pose, Lady Aiko, Timothy Curtis, and many others. The outdoor exhibition is curated by art maven, Jeffrey Deitch and mega real estate developer, Joseph Sitt of Thor Equities.

Lady Aiko

Lady Aiko

The Coney Art Walls concept originated from Deitch’s seminal 2011 Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, show, “Art in the Streets.” As the museum’s director at the time, Deitch was responsible for the first comprehensive overview of street art and graffiti held in a major museum. After leaving MOCA and returning to New York, he sought to replicate the idea in a more interactive installment for the public.

John Ahearn

Crash

The new walls feature works by D*Face, Jessica Diamond, Tristan Eaton, Gaia, Icy & Sot, London Police, Nychos, Tats Cru, and Sam Vernon. Contemporary artist, Nina Chanel Abney delivers an awesome Stuart Davis-esque wall swimming in a colorful frenzy of bright graphics and black mermaids. Meanwhile, John Ahearn’s whimsical mural illustrates buoyant divers complemented by a young boy reveling in summer. Stephen Powers' three-dimensional signage adds a genuine dose of local street flavor.

Ron English

RETNA

Buff Monster

NYCHOS

Returning artists, Mister Cartoon, Crash, Daze, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, and Marie Roberts produce new, crowd-engaging works based on their respective signature styles. Carryover murals from 2015 include works from street art greats such as Buff Monster, Ron English, How & Nosm, IRAK, Kashink, Lady Pink, Miss Van, RETNA, eL Seed and Yok & Sheryo. There are also three community walls on view.

D*Face

At Greenwood Beach, where the murals are located, a wide host of local food vendors–including Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Calexico, and Table 87–are on hand serving delicious summer bites. Stop by, soak up the sun, see the art, and take in the lively atmosphere at New York City’s quirky, legendary summer hotspot!

Daze

Photos: Martha Cooper