Honoring Our Heritage

Dear Members and Friends of the Ocean County Artists’ Guild,

In March we celebrated Women’s History Month.  While we continue to celebrate our 50th Anniversary here in our Victorian Lady at 22 Chestnut, we also celebrate Edna Feerick, woman artist and her group of women artist friends who created this wonderful organization.  We also thank her fellow founding members Edith Grace and Jano Taber.  It was Jano who convinced Edith to donate this beautiful house.

Fast forward to the present, where DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) is presented as a new concept.  Our founders, however, were forward thinkers, who created the Guild in 1957 so that ALL area artists in the Jersey Shore area could have access to and experience arts and culture outside of Philadelphia, NYC, and other urban centers.  Our women founders were master artists in their own right and were highly educated in the arts.  Women artists at that time were underrepresented in galleries and museums.  The Guild provided and continues to provide support, exposure, and recognition not only to women artists, but to other marginalized groups as well.  OCAG has a tradition, 77 years and counting, of providing a place of belonging and a space where area artists and women artists can learn, grow, and be recognized for their artistic and creative achievements.  The Guild has earned its place in Ocean County History, Ocean County Women’s History, Ocean County Women’s Art History, NJ Women’s History, and NJ Women’s Art History!

While great strides have been made since 1957 with regard to representation of women in the arts, there is still much work to be done!  Current statistics regarding women in the arts can be found on the website of the National Museum of Women in the Arts at the following link:

https://nmwa.org/support/advocacy/get-facts/ .  The Guild continues to be a driving force for women artists in the Ocean County area and beyond!

The Guild helps women artists and contributes to Ocean County’s desire to create a more diverse and inclusive community with a deep sense of belonging.  Fortunately, you can help support the Guild’s efforts to continue to provide exhibition space, education, outreach, and advocacy for our artists, patrons, and the community at large.  Get involved and:

Ocean County Artists’ Guild
 P.O. Box 1156
22 Chestnut Avenue
 Island Heights, NJ 08732

Ocean County Artists’ Guild
 P.O. Box 1156
22 Chestnut Avenue
 Island Heights, NJ 08732

  • Become a volunteer.   You can sign up to volunteer online at https://www.ocartistsguild.org/volunteers, by email at info@ocartistsguild.org or by contacting our office at 732-270-3111. 
  • Become a Board Member!  In Spring 2024, we will be taking nominations for the 2024-25 Election Year and will be seeking a new candidate for President and other Board positions.
    • Contact Kim Cesaretti at 732-814-2018 (Mobile/Text) for more information or to let us know if you are interested in joining us!

Thanks in advance for your support and patronage of OCAG!

April is here and bright, sunny, warm days are near!  I wish you all a wonderful Spring!

With love and appreciation,
Kim Cesaretti
Your OCAG 2023-24 President