Artist Who Makes Ocean City Models Completing Surf Mall Project

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — Before he makes a model, Phil Juska measures everything in a building. He takes dozens of photographs to make every detail as accurate as can be. Juska, on Monday, was putting the finishing touches on his latest creation he began seven months ago.

Juska developed a replica model of Surf Mall, the latest of several Ocean City models he's created. His latest artwork stretches 4 1/2 feet, encompassing active and former Boardwalk businesses: Surf Mall, Chickie's & Pete's, Kohr Brothers, Birdcage and T-Shirt World.

The Philadelphia man began creating models about a decade ago. As a child, he always drew or illustrated. Around that time, he and his brother worked in diners on the Asbury Park Boardwalk when they were kids.

They developed interest in diners. Juska's brother went to college in Worcester, Mass., where the Miss Worcester Diner became a prime meeting spot. That diner still stands today.

Juska's interest in art persisted, as well. He attended evening school for illustration and design in the 1980s. Juska later served as outreach director for the Pennsylvania Ballet and dean of the Arts Institute of Philadelphia.

"I decided to make something," Juska said. "I didn’t know what that was going to be, but I had the notion to create something about the Miss Worcester Diner because we’d go back to visit his college and always went there."

Juska found the diner's dimensions online. He replicated what it may have looked like in the 1960s. Juska gave it to his brother and brother's wife as a Christmas gift in around 2008.

Juska frequently vacationed in Ocean City. Three years ago, Juska signed up to show his models at the Ocean City Arts Center. He created models for Kohr Brothers, Ready's Coffee Shop and the Airport Diner.

Ready's ownership saw Juska's artwork and decided to display some at their shop.

That was where the owner of the Surf Mall building discovered Juska's work. He contacted Juska in September and asked him to create a Surf Mall model.

Juska will deliver his newest creation Tuesday to Surf Mall, where it will display. The mall designated a space for it toward the back of the building, he said.

Watch a video about Juska's art below:

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