The Newsmagazine of Long Beach Island and Southern Ocean County

By Victoria Ford | on June 29, 2022

IN PORT: Barbara Kraemer, one of the artists included in the ‘Watercolor Moments’ exhibit at the Barnegat library in July, painted ‘Beached Boat.’ (Artwork by Barbara Kraemer)

Give It a Swirl: “Watercolor Moments,” a celebration of spring and summer by shore artists Barbara Kraemer, Judith Schimmel and Karen Wachter, is on display at the Barnegat branch of the Ocean County Library through July.

Kraemer, a member of the Pine Shores Art Association, started painting as a child but then hit pause on her artistic endeavors until about 10 years ago, when she received watercolor classes as a gift.

“I was hooked the moment I walked into the studio,” she recalled. Kraemer uses revenue from her art/paint-along classes to support meaningful causes.

Retired teacher Schimmel said she paints mostly in watercolor, her subject matter dominated by landscapes and occasional florals.

PETAL-ING: ‘Irises’ conveys not only a strong image in watercolor by a confident hand, but also a feeling, or maybe a memory. (Artwork by Karen Wachter)

Wachter is an active member of the Pine Shores Art Association, Manasquan River Group of Artists, Laurelton Art Society and Ocean County Artists Guild. She described her chosen medium as “challenging” and having “a mind of its own, but the results can often be a welcome surprise.” She also works in pastels and oils.

The exhibit is free and open to the public at 112 Burr St. For information, call 609-698-3331. The exhibit will move to the Waretown branch in August.

New at Nita’s: Painter and gallery owner Nita Shapiro of Art & Decor at Surf City is excited to announce a new technique she’s added to her inventory of one-of-a-kind beach-inspired art: reversed canvases.

One inspired day, she took a stretched, primed canvas and flipped it over. She painted on the unprimed side, leaving the stretchers in, creating a sort of shadowbox effect. Now she’s doing it more and more, enjoying the way the brushes move across the surface.

Her current series, a continuation on her theme of whimsical coastal scenes and symbols (lighthouses, mermaids, octopuses), is painted on reclaimed wood, driftwood, dune fencing, wood panels, shiplap and other scraps – even tin ceiling tiles.

“Everything I do is spontaneous,” she said. She experiments with different materials, observing the way paint interacts with texture. Trying out new ideas is “my favorite thing in the world to do,” she added.

Soon her fans and followers will return to the Island and stop in her Surf City gallery to see what’s new, she said. The anticipation is very motivating.

Her doodads and delights in the gallery range from tiny ornaments to larger wall pieces and laminated turntables. Her custom work includes some “6-footers.”

No matter the size or specifications, it’s all the same to her: “Fun.”

Thataway: Explore the art scene at the Island’s south end. Check out this Thursday’s sip-and-shop event at Ann Coen & Friends Pop-Up at 110 North Bay Ave. in Beach Haven from 2 to 8 p.m., featuring The Fath Collective, sisters who consign, upcycle and rejuvenate donated clothing, then provide an elevated, curated shopping experience with new-to-you pieces. Their invitation: sip Prosecco and chat about why secondhand matters. A portion of the proceeds from the event benefit St. Francis and Family Promise. While there, enjoy the displayed work of the five featured artists – Ann Coen, Chris Pfeil, Josh Ketcham, Ryan Johnson and Calla Aniski-Boyd – in the gallery all summer.

Growing Together: Tuckerton-based Art Chat, now an official part of the Pine Shores Art Association, includes artists from beginner to professional who meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. (July 5 and 19, Aug. 2 and 16, Sept. 6 and 20, etc.) at the Tuckerton branch of the Ocean County Library, to share what they’re working on and receive feedback if desired or “just to see what everyone else is doing,” according to founder Nancy Glines.

“We meet to discuss art and share knowledge and friendship. Everyone is welcome.”

The group includes 15 or more regularly attending artists, photographers and watercolor, acrylic, ink, gouache and oil specialists. Newcomers are invited. The only “rule” for participation is to be kind, helpful and encouraging to fellow artists, according to organizer Nancy Glines, who called it “an interesting mix of art and personalities.” For more information, contact Glines at dun.roamin@verizon.net.

PSAA is in the process of expanding to a second location, inside the former Tuckerton borough hall. The new space in the old building is currently undergoing interior cosmetic and functional updates; PSAA volunteers are sprucing it up with fresh paint, appliances and furnishings, and they’ve installed a hanging system for displaying works of art.

The July show is “ROUND.” Stay tuned.

Continuing at PSAA headquarters on Stafford Avenue in Manahawkin, free recurring monthly events on Thursdays are “Do Your Own Thing,” 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and “Artists Helping Artists,” 2:30 to 5 p.m. (call 609-713-7337 to register for either); and untutored portrait drawing sessions with a live model, 7 to 9 p.m. Drop in for a $5 model fee. An additional DYOT session has been added on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. (email pvh3dwh@aol.com to register). Also free on Monday afternoons, noon to 3 p.m., DYOT with PSAA at Bay Avenue Community Center. Water-based mediums only, no oils or solvents.

All Pine Shores memberships (adults, $35 per person; $60 per couple; $25 for teens) can be created or renewed online or by sending a check to Linda Blum, P.O. Box 5, West Creek, N.J. 08092.

Earthbound: The new national juried competition and exhibition at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies, “Elemental Effects: Water + Wind + Earth + Fire,” is now open. Artist-in-residence Linda Ramsay’s “Do Your Own Thing” sessions are suspended for the summer and will resume in the fall.

LBIF has revamped its online presence and made it easier for shoppers and collectors to purchase artwork ­– directly from the online gallery. Buy art from LBIF exhibitions through the organization’s website, lbifoundation.org.  —V.F.

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