Sydnéi SmithJordan’s Mural Transforms Taqueria Maguey
Award-winning artist brings cultural vibrancy to Cape May County’s newest dining destination
A Feast for the Eyes
Taqueria Maguey opens its doors this weekend at 3167 South 9 South in Rio Grande, offering guests more than authentic Mexican cuisine. Visitors will be welcomed by a striking new mural from award-winning artist Sydnéi SmithJordan, whose bold, storytelling style fills the restaurant with color, culture, and energy.
Drawing from Mexican traditions, folkloric imagery, and the communal joy of dining, SmithJordan’s latest work transforms the space into a celebration of heritage and connection.
“We wanted this restaurant to be more than just a place to eat,” said Carlos Ortiz, owner of Taqueria Maguey. “We wanted it to feel like a gathering space where culture and creativity come together. Sydnéi’s mural brings that to life in a way that’s absolutely breathtaking.”
An Artist’s Broader Mission
The Taqueria Maguey mural comes shortly after SmithJordan launched The Legacy Link Mobile Art Studio — a 32-foot RV designed for pop-up art workshops accommodating up to 32 participants. Serving youth, seniors, civic groups, and more, the mobile studio is rooted in her belief in art’s power to heal and connect.
SmithJordan is also known for works that preserve and honor Black history, depicting figures such as Harriet Tubman, the Negro League, and Tuskegee Airmen. Her series also celebrates veterans and influential women like Isabel “Lefty” Alvarez, Amelia Earhart, and Frida Kahlo.
About Sydnéi SmithJordan
Sydnéi SmithJordan is a visual artist, educator, and cultural storyteller whose work blends vibrant figurative painting with narratives of African American history and personal resilience. Overcoming a turbulent childhood through art, she now reclaims erased histories and transforms hardship into beauty.
A graduate of the College of Design, Art, and Architecture at Santa Monica College, where she studied under Ronn Davis, and a student of illustration at Rhode Island School of Design, SmithJordan has exhibited nationally and internationally since 1995.
Through The Legacy Link Mobile Art Studio, she continues to bring art instruction to communities across New Jersey — fostering creativity, preserving history, and inspiring social transformation, mile by mile, masterpiece by masterpiece.
