SOMERS POINT — The Somers Point Arts Commission is preparing to hold its 7th annual Art in the Park at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park overlooking Great Egg Harbor Bay.
“The artists love being there. For artists, a successful day is if you sell your work, but so many say they don’t care if they because it was such a wonderful day because of the setting,” organizer Donna Mohr said.
The event, scheduled for 10 to 4 p.m. June 24, brings together local artists and the community for a contest and exhibition.
The day-long event features professional and amateur painters working in oil/acrylic, drawing/pastels, watercolor, hand-pulled prints, mixed media/collage, as well as photography.
Prizes include $300 cash for first place in painting and photography, as well as for the People’s Choice Award.
But the event is more than an art show, sale and contest. It incorporates art across many facets, offering children’s activities, music and a display of projects from the past year’s student projects.
“It’s kids art activities, not playground stuff, not bouncy houses,” Mohr said.
Karen Cleighton (aka DJ KC), a major contributor to events at the city’s Gateway Playhouse, will be entertaining the crowd all day. There will be five food trucks to keep mom and dad happy, too.
The event has grown over the years, with 51 participants last year.
“We’re hoping for 60 artists this year — every year we seem to have more,” Mohr said, noting the event would not be possible without the help of the Somers Point Department of Public Works.
“They are instrumental in getting the park ready and help with everything we have to do,” Mohr said, adding the Police Department also gets involved.
New this year is bus shuttle service from the parking lots of Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar on Shore Road and Fire Company No. 2 on Bethel Road. Shuttles will continue running all day in a loop.
The location can pose problems when it’s breezy, but Mohr said the participating artists know how to properly secure their work.
Mohr said artists are welcome to sign up to participate through June 20. The fee is $35. Registration can be found at somerspoint.gov or by emailing donnajmohr@comcast.net or calling (609) 287-0408.
Mohr said the Arts Commission operates on donations and county cultural arts grants and tries to keep the fee reasonable.
“One of the objectives is to serve underserved populations. We know we can do that by not charging admission but also by keeping registration reasonable for artists,” she said. “A lot are not big-time exhibitors — sometimes it’s their first show — so it’s a very good show for people with a little less experience.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff