The Shore Institute of Contemporary Arts (sica.org) moved to Asbury Park’s Cookman Avenue last summer and fit right in with the rejuvenated street’s eclectic mix of boutiques, coffee shops and antique dealers. The 12-year-old nonprofit, formerly based in Long Branch, has a summer long schedule of exhibitions and performances—mainly reflecting the work of emerging and aspiring artists from Central Jersey. Among the highlights: “Sculptoure ’12” (May 12-September 16), featuring sculptural works from 10 artists at 12 outdoor locations in Long Branch and Asbury Park; and the “Ninth Annual Fresh Meat/Young Blood: New Jersey’s New Masters” (June 2-August 17), a showcase of work by emerging artists. 610 Cookman Avenue (607 Lake Avenue) Asbury Park.
Avid art and antique collectors Fred and Ethel Noyes opened the Noyes Museum of Art (noyesmuseum.org) in 1983 to create an environment for experiencing the arts in southern New Jersey. In Oceanville, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Atlantic City, the museum’s galleries present a bounty of American art, especially folk art and crafts. Its main event this summer, “Enduring Brilliance: The Pastel Society of America at 40” (May 4-September 2), presents pastel works in a juried exhibition. At its new gallery space at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, a mile down the road in Galloway, the works of mixed-medium artist Steve Kuzma will be on display (May 31-August 28). 733 Lily Lake Road, Oceanville.
The New Jersey Maritime Museum (njmaritimemuseum.org) is dedicated to preserving the state’s rich maritime history. Located just a block off the bay in Beach Haven, this quaint museum harbors a trove of documents, shipwreck artifacts, photographs and memorabilia. It boasts the most extensive collection of material (including FBI files) relating to the SS Morro Castle, a luxury cruise ship that caught fire and beached near Asbury Park in 1934. Summer Fridays at 11 am, it hosts children’s programs. 528 Dock Road, Beach Haven.
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