By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Visitors to Bradley Beach are feeling a bit more welcome to this gem of a town at the Jersey Shore thanks to the generosity of artist Richard Janusz.
Janusz offered to donate his artistic talents to paint a mural anywhere in the borough at a location chosen by the governing body.
“He reached out to the tourism director and offered to donate his art skills to paint a mural anywhere we wanted,” said borough administrator Kelly Barrett. “The mayor was so excited….we saw some of his renderings.”
Finding a location was the next step. As work got out the owners of Jersey Shore Fitness, 711 Brinley Ave., contacted Barrett and suggested the side of their building which fronts the rail road tracks.
Brinley Ave. is also one of the main entrances into town.
Brinley Avenue on the other side of the railroad tracks is Sixth Avenue in Neptune and a main thoroughfare for drivers coming from the Garden State Parkway.
“It’s the perfect spot,” Barrett said.
Greg Cooper and John Niedenstein, owners of Jersey Shore Fitness, also donated $500 for the purchase of the paint and the lift the artist would need to reach the mural which is located near the roof of the three story building.
Barrett said the borough had to contact Neptune Township for permission to place a light projector on Memorial Drive so Janusz could paint at night.
“It’s so exciting,” Barrett said.
