The Atlantic Current: The Art Issue - July/Aug 2019 by The Atlantic Current

TH E ATLANTI C

Coastal Culture | Palm Beach & Broward County

THE ART ISSUE

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July-August 2019 | Issue 41

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CONTENTS

THE ART ISSUE 18

Jenny Kiker Creating a living pattern through modern botanical watercolor.

Peter Agardy Peter’s marine art has graced magazine covers, cans of craft beer, and sides of buildings. Find out what medium he’s tackling next.

Carly Mejeur Carly’s love for the ocean has taken shape with nautical marine maps being her muse of choice.

CURRENTS 30

Food Chef Jessie Steele

Beer 3 Beers at Copperpoint

Music Jakob Takos

Sports Shark Wake Park

Snaps Delray Beach Craft Beer Fest

30 6

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On The Cover Artwork by Jenny Kiker Photo by Coviello Photo

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PUBLISHER Dustin Wright | Dustin@theatlanticcurrent.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Danny Wright | Dan@theatlanticcurrent.com

EDITOR Darien Davies

PUBLICATION DESIGN Richard Vergez | richardvergez.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Ben Hicks | bocaratonphoto.com

CONTENT MANAGER Megan Kenealy

WRITERS Darien Davies David Rolland Adam Sheetz Mike Jurewicz Nicole Danna

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Julia Rose Coviello Photo Adam Dooms Dante Weston

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COMMUNITY

LOCAL N EWS By Darien Davies

July/August 2019

Delivery Dudes Now Gives The Option to Opt Out of Cutlery Feel like going green but don’t know where to start? Well, good news is that with one little click, you can do your part without even getting off the sofa. Local food delivery service company, Delivery Dudes, is now giving you the opportunity to opt out to join in on reducing single-use plastics. In an effort to love the Earth a little bit more, the Dudes partnered with locally-based company, 4ocean, to reduce the amount of plasticware included with delivery orders. When you place an order online, just before you check out, you are encouraged to click the “4ocean Cutlery Opt Out” button so you can help the Dudes reach their goal of ending the ocean plastic crisis. They realized that a lot of their deliveries were made to homes, so are simply asking diners to use their own silverware or hands (or feet, if you’re into that) to enjoy their meal. “Quantitatively, [the partnership] will help to reduce the amount of single-use plastic Delivery Dudes will be an accomplice to, while giving customers expanded options on their delivery,” said Christopher Leary, regional manager for Palm Beach County. “Qualitatively, it will help to inform the public, bring awareness to the cause, and further the collaboration between different parties in search of a common goal.” Jayson Koss, Delivery Dudes’ CEO, is excited about the partnership “because the planet is awesome and we have to stop polluting it.” He feels that single-use plastics are a product of a disposable mindset, and the partnership with 4ocean is a perfect alignment of the company’s core values. So next time you order in, opt out of cutlery. It’s one small shift that will make one large impact, and the Earth will thank you.

Dixie Divers Spearheads A World Record Underwater Trash Cleanup While most people might attend trash cleanup events at local parks or beaches, hundreds of divers actually took to the ocean. Not only did they collect an amazing amount of trash, they set a record doing so. The Guinness World Record-setting group of 633 divers picked up more than 1,600 pounds of trash and 60 pounds of fishing line at the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier in Deerfield Beach, Fla. on Saturday, June 15. The divers came from as far away as Europe and South America to participate in the event, which is organized annually by local dive shop, Dixie Divers, and the Deerfield Beach Women’s Club. This year was the 15th cleanup event and, due to the number of divers, the ocean floor was clean in only two hours. Ahmed Gabr, a former Egyptian Army scuba diver, set the previous record in 2015 with 613 other divers in the Red Sea in Egypt. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), scientists believe that about 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, which is roughly the weight of 90 aircraft carriers. The most often seen items include food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, takeout containers, and more.

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Photo: Snap Photography and Cinema

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EVENTS

12 Photo: Leon Legot

Joint Operations

@ Crazy Uncle Mike’s — Boca

Take This To Your Grave--Live Band Emo Night @ The Storkes @ Respectable Street — WPB

The Rockin’ Jake Band @ Funky Biscuit —

Boca

The People Upstairs @ Fish Depot —

JULY 24

Boynton Beach

SUBLIME W/ ROME @ SUNSET COVE AMPHITHEATER Summertime and the living’s easy. Stop by Sunset Cove Amphitheater on July 24th for a returning performance by the legendary Sublime with Rome. Four years since they recorded their sophomore studio album ‘Sirens’ , Sublime with Rome announced a full tour for their recently released album ‘Blessings’ that includes 11 new tracks with the same Sublime vibe that we all know and love. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just want to enjoy a night of reggae rhythm, this concert is something to add to your summer’s set list. The show starts at 5:30pm, so grab some buds, some brews, and groove into a night of tunes in west Boca. Visit axs.com for tickets

JULY 5

Stephen Marley with Jo Mersa Marley @ Abacoa

@ Voltaire — WPB

Amphitheater

Guavatron & Public Sounds

ArtWalk 6x6 Exhibition @ Old School Square — Delray Mike Epps @ Palm Beach Improv — WPB

Trey Lewis & Eye Candy Band @ The Tin Roof — Delray

Spread The Dub @ Crazy Uncle Mike’s — Boca

The Cravens @ Brewhouse Gallery — Lake Park

Big Jam Theory @ The Fish Depot — Boynton

6 Spotlight Gallery 6x6 @ Old School Square — Delray

Train, Goo Goo Dolls, & Allen Stone @ Coral Sky Amphitheater

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Bohofest @ Elizabeth Ave Station — WPB

The Flyers @ Boston’s On The Beach — Delray

Clement Aubrey (11am), Cortadito (4pm) & Nag Champayans (9pm) @ Guanabanas — Jupiter

7 Crazy Fingers @ Boston’s On The Beach — Delray

Sierra Lane (11am)

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Andrew Morris Band and 26 Degree Brewing @ Papa’s Raw Bar — Lighthouse Point

Ray’s Downtown: Sons of

a Tradesman @

Uproot Hootenanny @ The

Absolute Queen : The Tribute Experience @ Revolution The Ries Brothers

@ Crazy Uncle Mike’s — Boca

The Big Skandal Band @ Mathews Brewing — Lake Worth

King Yellowman and the Sagittarius Band w/ Special Guest Reggae Force

King Complex, Sons of a Tradesman, Grey Market

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

432 Vibes (11am), Guavatron Unplugged (4pm) & Tunnel Vision w/ Space Coast Ghosts (9pm)

Mary J Blige & Nas @ Coral Sky Amphi-

theater

Z (Nashville), Glass Body, Welzeins, Real People @ Voltaire — WPB Crazy Fingers @ Fish Depot — Boynton

Uproot Hootenanny @ The Village Pump — Ft Lauderdale

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Dave Mathews Tribute Band @

Mathews Brewing Co — Lake Worth

Gallery — Lake Park

Inna Vision

Crazy Fingers @

Ben Childs’ KillBillies @ Brewhouse

Station Sessions Acoustic Open Mic @ Elizabeth Ave

Live — Ft. Lauderdale

Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

Raw Bar — Lighthouse Point

Irishmen — Boca

Voltaire — WPB

Set It Off, Emarosa, Broadside, Lizzy Farrall @

New Kids On The Block @ BB&T Center Justin Enco & Poor Life Decisions and NOBO Brewing @ Papa’s

@ Respectable Street — WPB

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

August Burns Red @ Revolution Live — Ft Lauderdale

Station — WPB

Fish Depot — Boynton Beach

Summer Gill *FULL BAND* Presents SS12 @ Voltaire — WPB

Uproot Hootenanny @ The

Village Pump — Ft Lauderdale

Iron Maiden @ BB&T Center

Crush : Rush Tribute & Signal 22 @ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

Raised By Wolves @ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Jessica Morale, Vagnauts, Sierra Lane @ Sonali @ Respectable Street — WPB

Dierks Bentley @ Coral Sky Amphitheater

14 Citizen Badger, New Found Glory The Helmsmen, w/ Real Friends The Treetops, @ Revolution Live — Ft Elevator Fight Lauderdale Club @ Voltaire — WPB >>

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EVENTS Photo: Leon Legot

Street — WPB 8 Year Anniversary Celebration ft Empire Strikes Brass @ Funky Biscuit — Boca

Backyard BBQ: Sadie Hawkins Edition @ Elizabeth Ave Station — WPB

JULY 25TH

BLINK 182 & LIL WAYNE @ CAROL SKY AMPHITHEATER Secure your seat at Coral Sky Amphitheater for one of this summer’s hottest concerts! These legends of punk-pop and rap have joined forces to create a timecapsule of a show that blends genres, and brings two different fan bases together for the love of music. Blink 182 is celebrating 20 years since releasing ‘Enema Of The State’ by giving fans a chance to experience the entire album of throwbacks, as well as music from their new albums, and mashups with “The Best Rapper Alive”, Lil Wayne. The revered rapper has no shortage of songs that will get you out of your seat, singing and dancing to nostalgic beats, along with new music from ‘The Carter V’ that fans have long awaited. Both artists have sold out this venue with their electrifying and unpredictable shows, this mix is not one to miss! Visit livenation.com for tickets

Uproot Hootenanny @ Old Key Lime House — Lantana

Jean P Jam and Devour Brewing @

Papa’s Raw Bar — Lighthouse Point

beth Ave Station — WPB

Station Stand Up Showcase @ Eliza-

Acoustic Soul CD Release Party @

Tantric @ Crazy Uncle

Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

@ Sunset Cove Amphitheater — Boca

Stephen Christian

Spread The Dub @ CWS Bar & Kitchen — Lake Worth

The People Upstairs @ Respectable Street — WPB

Crazy Fingers @

Boston’s On The Beach — Delray

Ray’s Downtown Presents: Spread The Dub @ Voltaire — WPB

Uproot Hootenanny @ Deck 84 — Delray

Sublime w/ Rome

Uproot Hootenanny @ Funky Biscuit — Boca

8 Year Anniversary Celebration ft Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes @

Funky Biscuit — Boca

Crazy Fingers @ Fish Depot — Boynton

Blink 182 & Lil Wayne @ Coral Sky Amphitheater — WPB

Uproot Hootenanny @ The Village Pump — Ft. Lauderdale

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Mike’s — Boca

@ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

Surfer Blood @

Guanabanas — Jupiter

Unwed Sailor, Glass Body, Whisperwind, InMotion @ Voltaire — WPB

Dave Matthews Band @ Coral Sky Amphitheater — WPB

Donavon Frankenreiter @ Culture Room — Ft Lauderdale

27 ORDINARY BOYS (Tribute to The Smiths & Morrissey @ Respectable

Doorway 27, Raised By Wolves, The Metropolitan, Stereo Joule @ Voltaire — WPB

3 Brett Bollinger (of Pepper) & The Bad Habits @ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Ordinary Boys @

Damon Fowler @

Respectable Street — WPB

Funky Biscuit — Boca

phitheater — WPB

Zach Deputy @

Dave Matthews Band @ Coral Sky Am28

Jerry Garcia 4th Annual Birthday Bash @ Guanabanas

feat. Unlimited Devotion, The Heavy Pets, Guavatron, Spiral Light, CBDB, Tand — Jupiter

Ray’s Downtown: JM and the Sweets @ Voltaire — WPB

8 Year Anniversary Celebration ft Special EFX ft Chieli Minucci @ Funky Biscuit — Boca

Crazy Fingers @ Boston’s On The Beach — Delray

Spread The Dub

@ Lauderdale Anniversary Party & Beerfest — Ft Lauderdale

Future Prezidents and Prosperity Brewers @ Papa’s Raw Bar — Lighthouse Point

August 1

Crazy Fingers @ Fish Depot — Boynton

Zach Deputy @ Guanabanas — Jupiter

311 & Dirty Heads @ Coral Sky Amphitheater — WPB

Luke Bryan @ Coral Sky Amphitheater — WPB

Culture Room — Ft. Lauderdale

4 Andrew Morris Band and 26 Degree Brewing @ Papa’s Raw Bar — Lighthouse Point

6 KISS @ BB&T Center 7 Baroness @ Culture Room — Ft. Lauderdale

Pouya w/ Ramirez & Boobie Lootaveli @ Revolution Live — Ft. Lauderdale

8 Crazy Fingers @ Fish Depot — Boynton Beach

9 Wifisfuneral @ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

The Purple Madness : Tribute To Prince @ Revolution

Live — Ft. Lauderdale

Uproot Hootenanny @ The Irishman

— Boca

Perpetual Groove

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

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Photo: @MatthewJesseMcCarthy

EVENTS

Uproot Hootenanny @ The Hurricane Bar

and Lounge — Delray

Life Right Now @ Revolution Live — Ft. Lauderdale

HippieFest

@ Broward Center For Performing Arts — Broward

Jean P Jam @ Papa’s

Raw Bar and Devour Brewing — Lighthouse Point

JULY 28TH

Artisan Market @

JERRY GARCIA’S BIRTHDAY BASH @ GUANABANAS Roots Music & Cigar City Brewing present the Fourth Annual, Jerry Garcia’s Birthday Bash! Join in on some FREE fun (Yep, no cover charge ever) and some cervesa’s in the sun, while listening to some of your favorites from Unlimited Devotion, The Heavy Pets, Guavatron, Spiral Light, CBDB, & Tand. The Music starts at 12pm at Guanabanas and they will be keepin’ it hot all night!

Uproot Hootenanny @ Crazy Uncle Mike’s — Boca

Stick To Your Guns, Counterparts, Terror & More @ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

Uproot Hootenanny @ The Village Pump — Ft Lauderdale

Beautiful Disaster @ Mathews Brewing Co. — Lake Worth

Justin Enco & Poor Life Decisions and NOBO Brewing @ Papa’s

The Nth Power @

Guanabanas — Jupiter

Station Sessions Acoustic Open Mic @ Elizabeth Ave Station — WPB

Crazy Fingers @ Fish Depot — Boynton

Uproot Hootenanny @

The Village Pump — Ft. Lauderdale

Musicians Open Mic @ Brewhouse Gallery — Lake Park

Marvelous Funkshun @ Guanabanas

Raw Bar — Lighthouse Point

— Jupiter

Mathews Brewing Co. — Lake Worth

Tilian, Landon Tewers, Brent Walsh & Rivals @

Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

Spider Cherry @ Uproot Hootenanny @ ER Bradleys — WPB God Module: The Unsound Tour @ Respectable Street — WPB

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Pedro The Lion w/ MeWithoutYou @ Revolution Live — Ft. Lauderdale

17 Time Sawyer @ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Crazy Fingers @ Mathews Brewing Co. — Lake Worth

Hollywood Artwalk — Hollywood

Sprockets and Spokes Custom Bicycle Show @ Brewhouse Gallery — Lake Park

Queen w/ Adam Lambert @ BB&T Center

Guavatron Duo @ Mathews Brewing Co. — Lake Worth

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe & The Trongone Band @ Funky Biscuit — Boca

Florida Georgia Line @ Coral Sky Am-

phitheater — WPB

Mathews Brewing Co. — Lake Worth

Crazy Fingers @ Fish Depot — Boynton

Backstreet Boys

@ BB&T Center

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe & The Trongone Band

@ Funky Biscuit — Boca

Beck & Cage The Elephant @ Coral Sky

ater — Lake Park

One Nation Under A Groove @ Revolu-

Smells Like Grunge : Nirvana Tribute @ Kelsey The-

Ruined Conflict @

tion Live — Ft Lauderdale

Cove Amphitheater — Boca

Crazy Fingers @ Fish Depot — Boynton Beach

@ Voltaire — WPB

Rebelution @ Sunset

30 Hell & Hollar @

Voicecoil @ Respectable Street — WPB

Amphitheater — WPB

Funk You

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Dubbest @ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Mutha Funkin Leo/Johnny Dangerously’s B-Day w/ Jackal & Hyde Brad Paisley @ Coral Sky

Papadosio @ Revolu25

Mike & Pauline’s 25th Anniversary Celebration w/ Live Music by Uproot Hootenanny @ The Sticky Bun —

Deerfield

Future Prezidents and Prosperity Brewers @ Papa’s Raw Bar — Lighthouse Point

27 Artwalk @ Mass District — Ft. Lauderdale

Amphitheater — WPB

tion Live — Ft Lauderdale

Roots Shakedown (album release party) with Artikal Sound System and Ghost Lion @

Guanabanas — Jupiter

The People Upstairs @ Rhum

Shak — Lake Worth

The Blues Brothers Soul Band @ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

Space Coast Ghosts @ Mathews

Brewing Co. — Lake Worth

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THE ART ISSUE

JENNY KIKER T H E N AT U R A L ARTIST BY DARIEN DAVIES

here’s a good chance that when people are checking out their environment, they notice a tree, a leaf, a dog (if they’re lucky!), or a puddle. But, for Jenny Kiker, she notices the living pattern in each piece of the environment. “Making art has been a part of my life consistently since I was 2,” said Kiker, the talented mind behind Living Pattern. “I was a natural at it from an early age and I am fortunate enough to have parents and grandparents that saw my talent even then. They supplied me with any art supply I needed and encouraged me all the way through art college. I am forever grateful for their support.”

She followed her paintbrush and attended the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in illustration and a minor in painting. After a job transfer at Anthropologie brought her to West Palm Beach, she worked for a designer before diving back into art full time. She describes her art as modern botanical watercolor artwork and is drawn to patterns in nature, including veins in leaves, or just the pattern of ferns growing in a jungle. She also finds that a lot of patterns found in fashion are based off of ancient patterns in nature, so it makes picture-perfect sense that her art is making its way to apparel.

Originally from North Carolina, she was always surrounded by her family’s gardens. Her great-grandfather and grandfather passed the love for plants to her and her mother, so for her to immerse herself in botanical art and the patterns of nature is truly a family trait.

“I am excited to be returning to my roots of watercolor leaves and pattern design,” said Kiker, who specializes in repeat pattern. “My latest project is designing a line of fabric for quilting, [including] around 12 prints that will feature two all-over ferns and tropicals with an assortment of smaller pattern prints.”

“I’ll never forget the feeling I’d get standing in the country surrounded by rows and rows of lilies,” Kiker said. “It was their meditation to maintain their gardens and it became mine as well. I have a sincere appreciation for plants and Mother Nature.”

As if that and running her studio space out of the Arts Warehouse wasn’t enough to keep this new wife busy, she has also been working with the magazine Taproot for cover art for six issues this year, California brand Inside Weather, Delivery Dudes for a specially-

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THE ART ISSUE designed Tropical Camo Monstera pattern for the DD shirts, and selling her originals and prints online. But, she wouldn’t be doing anything else. “Big ideas, big moves. This is all I’m good at. This is it. Art or bust,” Kiker said. “[My art] has evolved in many ways. I have run my art business in several different directions over the last 15 years. They were all learning experiences and what led me to the Living Pattern path I am on now.” She hopes that path will lead her to having her art in the MOMA or the Whitney (“haha fingers crossed”), and would love to see her commercial path take off and see a line of her goods available through a partner company. Just like nature is constantly growing, moving and reaching, so too will Kiker. She brings the exterior in, blending the lines of nature and natural with the hopes of setting a mood and delivering a feeling. @livingpattern

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THE ART ISSUE

PETER AGAR DY BRINGING ART LARGE S CALE BY DARIEN DAVIES

icture a teenager in school making pages of fish doodles during class instead of actually taking notes. Teacher yells, kid scoffs, notebook closes, opens back up, kid finishes detailed snapper scales. Repeat. That kid is Peter Agardy. Fourth generation Floridian and son of an artist, Agardy always knew he wanted to be an artist but didn’t realize it until just before college. Being a Floridian, he drowned himself in all things aquatic, including surfing, boating and fishing. So, when pencil hit paper, he drew fish after fish after fish. When he came home from high school one day and his mom saw spray paint and a sketchbook in his backpack, she gave him the back concrete wall behind their garage so he could paint larger scale (pun intended). “I didn’t really think I was going to be an artist at that point, but I knew I loved to draw,” said Agardy, 34. He eventually put those drawings onto walls, canvases, and surfboards, and his career started to take off a little bit. He decided to hone in on his skills around 2004 when he attended Florida Atlantic University and went into graphic design thinking he would get a head start in commercializing his existing art and could

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subsidize his painting career. He worked through college as an artist and worked with some local surfboard shapers and shops, as well as capitalizing on his network of friends and friends of friends who wanted murals in their backyard or business. He graduated in 2008 and did a lot of specialty work in screen printing, which brings us to now. His laundry list of accomplishments includes designs on surfboards for Nomad Surf Shop, early concert posters for “The Black Keys,” signing on with a couple of shirt manufacturers and apparel brands with his marine art, three projects in Boynton Beach, two murals in Boca Raton, a mural at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, and, cough, cough, the logo and the five original paintings on the five initially-launched beer brands for Saltwater Brewery. His next achievement, drum roll please, will be painting a large mural at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. “I am considering this as a milestone in my career as an artist,” Agardy said. “I have worked in three cities in South Florida painting murals for the public arts program, but this will be the largest public art project to date for me!” >>

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THE ART ISSUE

His artwork consists of about 40 percent commercial work for businesses in the fishing and hunting industry (he’s also an avid hunter and spends time with his dad in Montana) and Saltwater Brewery, and about 60 percent private commission paintings, murals, custom work on swordfish bills, and more.

relationship and involvement in Saltwater Brewery with my artwork being the face of the brand, I have found myself in a position of heavily being involved in promoting the reduction of plastics, especially through our new eco six-pack rings, which we are using on all of our canned products at Saltwater.”

When he’s not painting fish, he’s studying fish via boating and diving, using “his” favorite boat, “My Friend’s Boat.” A lot of his reference comes from memory, but when it comes down to the real details and forms of fish, he refers to photos and videos that he and his friends have gathered over the years for reference. He’s also never afraid to get up close and personal with yellowfin tuna, his favorite fish to paint and catch, or wahoo, “all it needs is a little bit of soy sauce and a sharp knife, fresh-from-the-ocean wahoo sushi doesn’t get any better!”

While he worked with his local friends from 2012 to 2017 to create and build Saltwater, he now is a full-time artist, and enjoys making brush strokes in his two-car garage studio, just like his mom did when he was young.

As a true ocean lover, he also makes sure to keep conservation key.

For this nature lover and artist extraordinaire, it’s anchor up and paintbrush down, one large-scale project at a time.

“Personally through my artwork I work hand-in-hand with CCA Florida (Coastal Conservation Association), which has a few programs targeting single-use plastic,” Agardy said. “With my

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If you can’t find him on the water or in the garage, there’s a good chance you’ll find him palling around with the love of his life, wife Lauren, Labrador mix Wesson (a lazy good boy), and German shorthair pointer mix Isla (a lovable psycho).

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THE ART ISSUE

C A R LY MEJEUR MAKES THE OCEAN H E R CA N VA S BY DAVID ROLLAND

rowing up in South Florida, the ocean was always on Carly Mejeur’s mind. The longtime surfer and one-time lifeguard for Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue was unfailingly inspired by the big blue expanse, even if it took a while for her artistic skills to catch up with her aquatic admiration. “I was a pretty intense child,” Mejeur said about her early artistic attempts. “I knew what I drew didn’t look like what I was looking at, and wasn’t happy about it. Much of my childhood was trying to get my fine motor skills to catch up with what I was trying to recreate or invent.” After attending the Maryland Institute College of Art for painting, and eventually receiving a masters in art education, Mejeur returned to her home state and decided she could finally do the ocean of her youth some artistic justice. Her current work, The Nautical Chart Series, is a series of paintings on nautical maps connecting marine life with particular locations. Once she started the project, Mejeur said she became a magnet for nautical maps. “It started with my best friend’s dad, who was a treasure hunter with Mel Fisher. He had so many great stories and tons of nautical charts. He let me borrow them to

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experiment and I eventually made one for him that represented his life stories, and could become a family heirloom for my friend. After that, people were so happy to get rid of their charts because they didn’t just want to throw them away! This one guy brought some to me in the back of his truck, and it must have been 25 pounds piled up.” The Nautical Chart Series has been one of constant evolution for Mejeur. “The first one was a two-piece canvas that I had glued the chart to, and then painted on. Then, I covered it with gel medium and painted the edges. I tried a few more after that with epoxy resin, wood stains, gold leaf… I tried it all. I ended up simply presenting the authentic chart originals between two pieces of glass. The watercolor made the charts wrinkle, so I had to keep working on my technique and display until I was happy with the result.” Beyond the aesthetic appeal of the artwork, Mejeur hopes it also brings more awareness to ocean conservation. “Through painting on a nautical chart, I’m literally connecting the man-made lines, titles, and numbered depths with the natural coastlines of the earth by painting

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THE ART ISSUE

PHOTOS: BEN HICKS translucently across them with watercolor. The sea turtle, octopus, or trunkfish becomes seamlessly a part of the background, and reminds us that it belongs there. I think my style, though realistic, is still a little airy, and dream-like. Will you one day be looking at my work as charts, which most people no longer use, with a fish that no longer exists? It’s so morbid, but extremely possible. I also really try to bring a personality to each subject. I think that the character of the pose, the imperfection of the shell or tail fin, the twinkle in his eye, all create a connection that help people feel the love... and we protect what we love.” As the mother of two young boys and as an artist whose work has been enjoyed by a large audience, Mejeur has the perspective to relish every success, including the Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale featuring her work in 154 units of the hotel, to an overwhelming amount of requests for commissions. She stays humble through her muse, the ocean and her maps, which

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provides her artistic self with just as much fulfillment and as many challenges as surfing its waves does. “Painting on a nautical chart could be a battle with the background or a dance. I aim for the harmonious dance, where the painting and the chart look like they are feeding off each other so that you are constantly seeing a different relationship forming. A new connection is unveiled at every cross-section.” @carlymarineart

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[CURRENTS] FOOD | BEER | MUSIC | SPORTS | SNAPS

JESSIE STEELE DADA EXECUTIVE CHEF CUT HIS CHOPS AMONG DELRAY BEACH’S FINEST BY NICOLE DANNA

essie Steele is the new face behind one of Delray Beach’s most beloved restaurants, Dada, but there’s more to the inked-up chef than meets the eye. Steele, 39, is laid-back cool with tattooed arms and a calm, stoic gaze. Over the years, he’s worn many hats in addition to chef: a bass player for several bands, building swimming pools for his father’s company, poker dealer, bus boy, bartender -- even potato peeler. While most 13-year-old’s spent summer vacation finding their way in and out of trouble, Steele was working at his neighbor’s restaurant, content with one of the kitchen’s most tedious tasks. “My first job was peeling potatoes and making French fries at Doc’s All American,” said Steele. “And I loved it.” Before that, his earliest memories in the kitchen were cooking with his two grandmothers – rolling out cookie dough with the Italian one, or making pasteles with his Brazilian one. As he got older, a natural talent with a knife meant helping his mother in the kitchen on holidays, or manning the grill beside his father. Steele won’t hesitate to tell you he also spent a good amount of free time watching the Cooking Channel as a teenager. “Other kids would be outside,” Steele said. “I was home watching Emeril. My friends and I would chug beers and watch him cook. Then I’d write down the recipes and try to recreate them. But I never thought I’d be a chef.” Delray Beach born and raised, Steele recalls his hometown before restaurants like 32 East and Dada brought fine and innovative dining to the seaside village.

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“I remember when Atlantic Avenue didn’t have anything but a gas station. No restaurants. No bars,” Steele said. “At the time, I didn’t know anything about food. I grew up eating Brazilian food, rice and beans, meat and French fries. It took touring with bands and seeing different food to open my eyes.” A move to Orlando in 2002 prompted him to consider a new career path. When his girlfriend suggested he go to culinary school, he took her advice, driving 90 miles each way, five days a week, to the nearest culinary program in Lakeland, Fla. He’d later graduate from Florida Culinary Institute. Although Steele has worked with several Delray Beach establishments over the years -- from Caffe Luna Rosa and Sundy House to 3rd & 3rd and Death or Glory Bar -- his big break came from working under the tutelage of uber-disciplined 32 East chef Nick Morfogen. “That job taught me finesse,” Steele said. “It was a great learning experience.” Today, Steele credits three South Florida chefs for their influence. From former Green Gourmet chef Joey Giannuzzi he learned to “see everything.” This piece of advice he’s used to keep on top of not only what’s going on in the kitchen, but the restaurant itself. From Morfogen he learned to work clean, but also how to taste and season properly. From former 3rd & 3rd executive chef Ellis Cooley, he learned the new-school flare of molecular gastronomy. Part of Steele’s success is due to the fact that he never stops learning. Every day is an opportunity to try something new. A copy of Bon Appétit is never far away. His mornings are spent researching some exotic dish and creating a recipe that will do it justice. >>

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FOOD

“I remember when Atlantic Avenue didn’t have anything but a gas station. No restaurants. No bars.”

That’s most evident with the chef’s vegan following. After cleaning and butchering fish and meat all day, coming home covered in blood, he decided to go vegan. It was a chance to teach himself a new way of cooking – but also a new perspective. “I went vegan for an entire year as an experiment,” said Steele, who now offers several vegan dishes on the Dada menu. “I didn’t know anything about vegan cooking, so I figured the best way to master it was to throw myself into it.” That same curiosity translates to the chef’s signature style, which is best defined as global comfort food -- one inspired by his love of variety coupled with the simplicity of home-cooked fare. “That’s my way of traveling. Recreating something from a global perspective. I don’t hesitate to throw something like that on my menu without having made it before,” Steele said. “It’s always a hit.” Today, Dada is all the better for it.“Coming here after [chef-owner Bruce Feingold], I had humongous shoes to fill,” Steele said. “Here’s a guy who’s done so much for the Delray food scene, it was hard to come in with the idea of putting my own stamp on it, but at the same time keep the menu true to his original vision.”

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For longtime Dada alums, much of the menu may seem unfamiliar. Nearly 80 percent is new, and changes occur every few months. Steele tires from static menus, preferring to highlight locally-sourced, seasonally-expressive ingredients. His biggest change: breaking down whole fresh fish purchased daily. While much has changed, some menu items have remained largely untouched. Dada’s famous bacon-wrapped dates are still on the menu, only now you’ll find a new chorizo, and a sherry gastrique has replaced the tomato confit. This summer, the salmon will change for the first time after 19 years, but don’t worry, it has been elevated to the next level for a delightful change. “I’m still amazed with how much food we put out of this kitchen on a daily basis,” Steele said. “It’s a testament to how consistent Dada has managed to stay, and I’m glad I can help be a part of that legacy.” @jessie.csteele

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BEER

THREE BEERS AT COPPERPOINT BY MIKE JUREWICZ

Boynton Beach is a very special place when it comes to South Florida’s craft beer industry. The city has four breweries that call it home, with three of them being within a half mile of each other in the Brewery District (just north of Gateway Boulevard off of High Ridge Road). It’s like our own little Asheville, N.C. but with more humidity and less mountains.

Sitting the furthest north of those in the Brewery District is Copperpoint Brewing Company. Having just celebrated their Fourth Anniversary, you may already be well acquainted with owner and head brewer, Matt Cox, and his venture, but for those of you who aren’t, I’m here to provide you with a few beers that you must try from this award-winning brewery.

DAS PILS

When first coming across Copperpoint’s beers out in the wild, you are more often than not going to come across the brewery’s excellent flagship: Copperpoint Lager. This amber lager is fantastic and could give Yuengling or Sam Adams lagers a run for their money. But there is another lager that Copperpoint keeps on tap regularly that has found a special place in my heart, and that is Das Pils. This rendition of a German-style Pilsner is right on the money from its pale, yellow color to its crisp, refreshing body with noble hop bitterness. There aren’t many visits to Copperpoint’s taproom for me that don’t involve at least one pint of Das Pils. It’s my go-to and will probably be yours, too. Das Pils is available year-round on draft and occasionally in 6-pack cans.

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BEER

KEY LIME KOLSCH

The weather is starting to warm up. (Okay, it was already warm but it’s getting warmer.) With that in mind, you probably want something refreshing after a hard day’s work, an afternoon at the beach, or when you are simply walking to your car from your front door. Luckily Copperpoint has the answer with their recently re-released Key Lime Kolsch. This light, crisp-base beer is punched full of Florida’s own bastard child of fruit. (Don’t worry Key Limes, you’re No. 1 in my book. Who needs oranges anyway?) The slight tartness from the limes is just enough to put your mind in a place of bliss, and who doesn’t like bliss? You might even say this is a beer person’s replacement for a margarita. Key Lime Kolsch is available on draft now throughout the summer.

ONE LOVE I.P.A.

Fair warning, I don’t like reggae. Never have. Never will. Sorry but not sorry. Now that we have that out of the way I will say that despite its name having connection to the music genre, I love One Love I.P.A. You might even say it was my first love of the Copperpoint beers. It was the first beer of theirs that I tried at the soft opening four years ago and it instantly became my favorite beer. Its citrusy-hop character jumps out immediately with just enough malt backbone to counteract the subtle bitterness. This is not your modern day I.P.A. It is the classic style that seems to be lost today. One Love is not seen as often on the taps as its hop forward brother, A-10 Hop-Hog, but it is currently available right now in the Copperpoint taproom. With that great chunk of knowledge I wouldn’t hold it against you if you head over there right now for a couple pints. Just make sure to save some for me. One Love I.P.A. is available occasionally on draft and cask. 151 Commerce Rd, Boynton Beach @copperpointbrewingcompany

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’ DARBE S L o o k a n d F e e L L i k e a M i L L i o n B u c k s aT

p o h S r e b r a B $

incLudes: Men’s HaiRcuT, BLoWdRY, sTYLe, & sTRaiGHT RaZoR on neck & sideBuRns

FoR onLY

561-276-9136

2885 S. FEDERAL HWY • DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483

WWW.DARBESBARBERSHOP.COM • @DARBESBARBERSHOP

MUSIC

JAKOB TAKOS SOUTH FLORIDA SUNSHINE SOUL BY ADAM SHEETZ

ocal musician, Jakob Takos, has been bringing good vibes across South Florida with his particular sound of sunshine soul. Bright and beachy, with a tinge of soul and blues and an undertone of folk, Takos has created a unique sound of melodic instrumentation and tight rhythms. Takos has been playing guitar since the fifth grade. His childhood best friend, Nate Behl, sold him his first guitar, taught him some chords, and the rest is history. “I was hooked,” says Takos, adding, “I saw the ability for creative freedom and self-expression. I remember, at the age of 10, sitting in my room for hours playing the only chords I knew, having so much fun. I knew I’d never be bored again.”

PHOTO: ADAM DOOMS

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His introduction to different music was from a less traditional source than most: video games - specifically, Tony Hawk’s Underground 2. He then went on to discover the works of other artists from Johnny Cash to The Doors. He has since taken this variety of influences to create a sound all his own, fueled by a passion only a fellow musician could understand. >>

“Creating and connecting is what I love, so I funnel all of that into my passion, which is music.”

PHOTO: JOEL HENSON R R E NT 39 @ATLANTICCU

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MUSIC

When asked what drives him to play music, Takos stated, “Creating and connecting. Those are the two things that inspire me to keep going. The ability to form something from nothing and have that resonate with anyone is an incredible feeling. Creating and connecting is what I love, so I funnel all of that into my passion, which is music.” He first got a taste of this at the age of 16, where he began playing publicly for churches and various freelance gigs. It wasn’t until his senior year of high school that Takos joined his first official band. He soon found himself immersed in the incredibly supportive music scene of South Florida, which seems to be ever-growing and ever-evolving. This has afforded him the opportunities to take his craft from locally and regionally to around the country. He is currently working on his inaugural release, a five-song album complete with a music video for each track, all of which will soon be available for your listening pleasure (so be on the lookout). Takos graciously states, “I’ve been very blessed and fortunate enough to work with some of the best musicians in South Florida on my record, and I am so excited to have it soon to be released.”

PHOTO: ADAM DOOMS

If you think he has any plans of stopping there, you’d be sorely mistaken. Keeping a number of irons in the fire, Takos has taken his passion for music and extended it beyond the stage and studio. He also hosts a music page called MusiciansDaily. This endeavor has provided him with incredible opportunities like attending the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Conference in California, speaking at a digital music conference, and meeting or collaborating with some incredible colleagues and people. And no, he doesn’t stop there either. Takos is also a co-host of a podcast exploring South Florida music, called Dank Coalition. He runs the podcast alongside another local talent and hardworking musician, Markis Hernandez. With no signs of this train slowing down, you can be sure to catch some of that Jakob Takos “Sunshine Soul” all around South Florida. @jakobtakos

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SPORTS

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SHARK WAKE PARK 561 OPENS IN WEST PALM BEACH CABLE WAKE AND AQUATIC J WATER PARK PROVIDES FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY BY DAVID ROLLAND

43 @ATLANTICCU PHOTOS: DANTE WESTONR R E NT

ust like his famous namesake dad did for golf, Greg Norman, Jr. is trying to popularize his sport of choice: wakeboarding. With the June opening of Shark Wake Park 561 in West Palm Beach, Norman hopes to make wakeboarding accessible to the most daredevil of pros and the greenest beginners. “Our goal is to introduce the sport to everyone,” Norman told The Atlantic Current. “With this park, you no longer need the $150,000 boat, a dedicated driver or gas-burning fossil fuels.” >>

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SPORTS

Norman got into wakeboarding in a roundabout way. “My Dad grew up surfing and taught me to surf. But as any Florida surfer knows, there are no waves down here,” Norman said. To get that aquatic rush, he turned to wakeboarding. Norman was able to practice at Deerfield Beach’s Ski Rixen USA, which was the first cable water park in the area. He credits access to that technology with allowing him to be a professional wakeboarder and kiteboarder for 15 years. “The technology was created in Germany by an engineer who wanted to ski without a boat,” Norman said. While there are more than 100 cable water parks in Germany, and only about 40 parks using the technology in the United States, Norman thought there might be more demand than supply in his home country. So in 2014 he developed a business plan and started pitching to various municipalities for a public private wakeboard complex. In 2015 he was able to open the first Shark Wake Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C. It took a while, but he was finally able to reach an agreement with West Palm and was able to break ground on construction this past November. “It’s 33 acres that is privately funded with no tax dollars. It will be a community gathering center where families can learn something new about this culture,” Norman said. “The greatest aspect is you can have a top athlete using the same ride as a kid who has never done it before.”

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There will be other amenities including an inflatable obstacle course that is the biggest of its kind on the East Coast. “It can be heavy or relaxed. It’s American Ninja Warrior meets Wipeout,” Norman said. “It’s designed for you to fall down in the water, and can be a hell of a workout open to all ages over seven.” The park will also offer a beer garden along with other refreshments. Norman believes the park will affect the community in ways that are currently unimaginable. “Every time a cable park opens, kids come out of the woodwork and grow up to be pro athletes themselves. I saw it myself,” Norman said. “In 2009 I went to an event in the Philippines. Camarines Sur Watersports Complex. They brought pros there to bring attention. It was in an isolated part of the country and it revitalized the whole community. These kinds of things open up watersports to the masses.”

7715 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach @sharkwakepark

THE OCEAN ISSUE Sep/Oct 2019 Ad Deadline: August 10th

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SNAPS

DELRAY BEACH CRAFT BEER FEST AT OLD SCHOOL SQUARE PHOTOS: JULIA ROSE

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LUNCH - BRUNCH - LATE NIGHT

UPCOMING MUSIC 7/05: Rachel Rose 4pm-7pm & Samantha Russell 8pm-12am 7/06: Rob Arenth 4pm-7pm & Silent Shout 8pm-12am 7/07: Carey Peak 2pm-5pm & Axcents 6pm-10pm 7/12: Thiago Giacomelli 4pm-7pm & The People Upstairs 8pm 7/13: Aldo Marchant 4pm-7pm & GUAVATRON 9pm-12am 7/14: Jean Andres 2pm-5pm & Revibe 6pm-10pm 7/19: Eric Ryan 4pm-7pm & Smokin Aces 8pm-12am 7/20: Chris Springer 4pm-7pm & The Goodnicks 8pm-12am 7/21: Dave Itkin 2pm-5pm & GUAVATRON Duo 6pm-10pm 7/26: Walt Rooney 4pm-7pm & Bombshell 8pm-12am 7/28: John Tolliver 2pm-5pm & Big Medizen 6pm-10pm 8/2: Samantha Russell Band 8pm-12am 8/3: Rob Arenth 4pm-7pm

Tuesday Night: Karaoke & In The Biz Night (50% OFF Drinks and Appetizers not including raw bar ITB only)

8/4: Axcents 6pm-10pm 8/9: Thiago Giacomelli 4pm-7pm & Main Street 8pm-12am 8/10: Max Markwell 4pm-7pm & Spektora 8pm-12am 8/11: Monkey Mayhem 6pm-10pm 8/16: Walt Rooney 4pm-7pm & Burnt Biscuit 8pm-12am 8/17: Jerry Leeman 4pm-7pm 8/18: GUAVATRON 6pm-10pm 8/23: Adam Jason 4pm-7pm & BOUNCE 8pm-12am 8/24: Chris Springer 4pm-7pm & Bombshell 8pm-12am 8/25: Rockin Jake Band 6pm-10pm 8/30: Aldo Marchant 4pm-7pm & Furious George 8pm-12am 8/31: Dave Itkin 4pm-7pm & Suckerpunch 8pm-12am

Wednesday Night: Ladies Night

Come between 8-10pm and collect 3 drink tickets

Thursday Night: Crazy Fingers

HOURS Tuesday - Thursday: 4pm - 12am • Friday: 4pm - 2am • Saturday: 12pm - 2am Sunday: 12pm - 12am • Coming Soon: NEW MENU ITEMS THE FISH DEPOT MARKET

THE FISH DEPOT BAR & GRILL

1022 N Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach, FL 33435 (Just North of the Marina Districtand South of Gateway)

511 NE 4th Street Boynton Beach, FL 33435 (Very 1st left turn on Federal Hwy offof Boynton Beach Blvd.)

561.375.8363

561.806.5441

Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Open Sun-Thurs 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 12-2am

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