On Valentine’s Day in 2022, Jasmine “M.J.” Starr had no date. But, after delving into the heart- swaddling delicacies of wine and chocolate at a local bar, she would begin an artistic journey that would launch her all the way to Times Square.
From April 21st-27th, M.J.’s art will be exhibited at The Evac gallery at 215 First Avenue in New York City as part of the “Exploring the World” Times Square Billboard exhibition. Every day from 4 to 6 MST, three of her pieces will be displayed digitally, showcasing Longmont's local food industry.
M.J.’s current run of food-related art is based on the cuisine found in Longmont and the surrounding area. Centered on symmetrical, bombastic and colorful lines, the artist looks to create an elaborate and beautiful representation of the local cuisine she holds so dear, with each piece detailing the notes of a dish or beverage.
With each vibrant picture, M.J. details the story of the food or drink. She takes the time to speak with each member of the restaurant, learning the origin of the dish and its ingredients. She then prints all her works on Colorado-based items like paper and coasters.
During that dreary Valentine’s night, M.J. became captivated by the original Art Deco pieces at Taste and Savor Wine Bar in Fort Collins. Being a foodie herself, she decided that the style was the best way to express the intricacies of the edible art form. She began scribbling immediately.
“The initial reason that I chose both Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles was that they are designed to advertise,” M.J. noted. “I don’t want to just show a beer just to show the beer. I show the tasting notes and complex ingredients involved. I’m working to represent the food and needed the complexity of the forms to showcase it.”
The piece, centered around the wine bar, would become the first of many. After a year of working with Longmont food and beverages, M.J. would receive an offer to show her art in Times Square. She breathlessly accepted.
But the showing, like the essence of her art, is more than just self-promotion. After moving to Colorado in 2020 and exploring the local cuisine, she knew she wanted to help the industry.
“I want to put this town on the food map,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of suburbs swallowed by suburbia. There aren’t many local restaurants left. When I came to Longmont, there was still a strong food culture. It’s great for the personality and cultural future of the town, and I want to help represent that.”
The three pieces being shown will represent Left Hand Brewery, Collision Brewery, Javastop Cafe, Copper Sky Distillery, Swaylo’s Tiki Bar, Urban Field Pizza and Market and 300 Suns Brewery.
As for M.J., this isn’t the end of her food-art excursion. She looks to continue the project. Now it has become her full-time career. She hopes to maintain work through commissions in the future.
