Art That Builds Community: New Murals in Atlantic Beach

It's amazing what a difference a little paint, and a splash of creativity can make.

Full transparency, I'm pretty new here. I have been visiting the Myrtle Beach area since I was about 13 years old. I fell in love with it then, and have enjoyed many years of vacationing here with my family once I had children of my own. Over that time, I've watched the growth. Especially in the last decade, the area seems to have exploded. Yes, I am a transplant. But living in the Myrtle Beach area has been a dream of mine since that first trip when I was 13, and I am so grateful to finally be able to call this beautiful place my home. My husband and I relocated to North Myrtle Beach in January, 2025 and we are enjoying learning about the surrounding community and the rich history of the area in an much more "local" sort of way.

Atlantic Beach is like a little slice of preserved Oceanfront paradise. Void of the high-rises that predominantly line the coast along the Grand Strand, the views here are spectacular! Only 4 blocks long, this small community is a tremendous part of Myrtle Beach History. The Atlantic Beach Historic district has recently been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its significance as a segregation-era destination and its preservation of Black heritage. Founded in the early 20th century by Gullah Geechee families and Black entrepreneurs, Atlantic Beach served as a haven for Black travelers to enjoy the coast without segregation and continues to remain one of the last Black-owned beach communities in the US today.

When I was asked by the Town of Atlantic Beach to help with their revitalization efforts by painting a mural...or two....or three.... I was honored. The first of these projects was completed this summer, commemorating the Gullah Geechee Corridor. Prior to the start of my design, I consulted with the folks at the Gullah Museum in Georgetown, SC in order to better understand the history of the Gullah Geechee people. They were kind enough to take the time to educate me on the history, the culture, and significance of the Gullah Geechee Corridor. The lessons I learned there were invaluable, and served as a springboard of inspiration for this project.

Getting Started

The beginning phases of a mural are rarely exciting. There is prep, a coat or two of primer and then maybe a base coat of color. As I painted in the street, I was at first greeted with some curiosity, but little interest.

But as the mural evolved, and the story began to unfold, that curiosity turned into enthusiasm, excitement and gratitude. The end result was more than satisfying. Bringing art into a community spreads joy. It lifts spirits. It breathes new life into an otherwise unremarkable space. Art brings the community together in a whole new way.

The Gullah Geechee Corridor mural is the first in a series of Murals that I will be painting for the Town of Atlantic Beach. Just in time for the Gullah Geechee Festival scheduled to take place August 29-31, 2025! Stop by and take a pic in front of this great new backdrop! And if you post your pics to Instagram, please tag me at @JerseyGirlArt. I'd love to see them all!

Let me know what you think about this Atlantic Beach "Before and After"

My next mural for Atlantic Beach is planned for the fall, so keep an eye out for me and say hello! I look forward to seeing you out on the street!

Michelle Ricalde is a local artist based in North Myrtle Beach, SC who specializes in painting large scale murals for commercial and residential properties.

Commission inquiries are always welcome! You can contact Michelle Directly at michelle@JerseyGirlArt.com or check out her portfolio on her website at My Portfolio