For Stockton University junior Antonio Rodriguez, the sights of Atlantic City’s shoreline and lighthouse are more than just scenery—they are a collection of childhood memories. Now, those memories have earned him a $2,500 scholarship and a permanent place in the resort’s primary hub for business tourism.
Visit Atlantic City has officially named Rodriguez the winner of its inaugural Artist-in-Residence initiative. The program, a collaboration with Stockton University’s Visual Arts program, challenges students to interpret the city’s character through their own creative lenses.
Rodriguez’s winning entry focuses on the iconic landmarks that define the Atlantic City experience. His submission beat out a competitive field of sophomores and juniors who were asked to depict the city’s natural and architectural elements.
“I wanted to capture the nostalgic feel I have for the city by depicting the coast and the lighthouse as if it were on a postcard,” said Rodriguez, who spent his childhood summers traveling from his home to the Jersey Shore.
Key themes of the winning artwork:
- The Shoreline: Capturing the natural beauty of the coast.
- The Absecon Lighthouse: A nod to the city’s historic beacon.
- The “Postcard” Aesthetic: A visual tribute to the city’s status as a classic travel destination.
The partnership is designed to bridge the gap between academic artistic development and real-world destination marketing. Rodriguez was formally presented with the scholarship at Visit Atlantic City’s annual meeting on February 4, 2026.
The Artist-in-Residence initiative provides several unique benefits:
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Public Exhibition: Rodriguez’s work, along with selected submissions from his peers, will be displayed prominently at the Atlantic City Convention Center throughout 2026.
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Global Reach: The winning artwork will be reproduced as official gifts for convention clients, acting as a visual “thank you” to groups choosing the resort for their events.
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Professional Narrative: Students like Rodriguez act as storytellers, helping to reshape and highlight the city’s “cultural vitality,” according to Mariana Smith, Chairperson of Stockton’s Visual Arts Program.
“This initiative brings together creativity, education, and destination marketing in a meaningful way,” Anthony Molino, vice president of sales for Visit Atlantic City said. “By empowering students to share their vision, we’re creating lasting impressions for our convention clients while supporting the next generation of emerging artists.”
The program is expected to continue as an annual scholarship competition, reinforcing Atlantic City’s role as an “anchor institution” for both the arts and education in South Jersey.
