Published on May 4th, 2021 | by Darren Paltrowitz
0A Look At Long Beach, New York’s New Boardwalk Mural By Kara Hoblin, Plus Comments From LBNY Experts & Representatives
Just 60 minutes from Manhattan by train, Long Beach, New York is often thought of as a seasonal sun, surf and sand destination. The reality is that Long Beach — home to singer Joan Jett, Taking Back Sunday drummer Mark O’Connell and artist Chuck Close — is full of year-round activities and programming. During the colder months of the year, one ought to bundle up and stroll the 2.2-mile LBNY boardwalk, go for a bike ride and/or walk from Neptune Boulevard to the West End.
In recent years, the aforementioned Long Beach boardwalk has stepped up its game with some locally-curated kiosks and artwork. The new “Long Beach Osprey Wings” mural was commissioned by Discover Long Island and officially unveiled and gifted to the City of Long Beach as of today, May 4, 2021. Greenport native and mural artist Kara Hoblin joined local officials to unveil the 8-foot by 10-foot mural, which depicts Long Island’s many beloved North Shore and South Shore landmarks and was designed as a special attraction for residents and visitors to share with friends #discoverlongisland. Community officials urge Long Islanders and visitors to come out of their homes, enjoy the spring weather and visit the region’s downtown communities again.
I was in attendance of this unveiled, which occurred at a press conference on the Long Beach boardwalk. Below is a video crafted of highlights from comments from Kristen Jarnagin (President and CEO, Discover Long Island), artist Kara Hoblin, Cliff Skudin (President of Skudin Surf), Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Long Beach City Council President John Bendo, in addition to exclusive audio-based interviews I taped with Kristen Jarnagin and artist Kara Hoblin.
More on these murals and Long Beach can be found here, here, here and here.
Feature image by Melissa Paltrowitz