Art by Bob Henne

It’s Sailfest Time, We Need a Volunteer Leader

It’s that time of year again, Sailfest is coming up on September 12!

Sailfest is always a wonderful, well-attended community event, and a great opportunity to show the public just how important the Ocean County Artists’ Guild is to our local arts community. We are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to spearhead OCAG’s participation this year.

The event leader’s responsibilities will include coordinating with other OCAG volunteers, helping with table setup and breakdown, monitoring the Guild’s table, assisting with children’s crafts, and promoting the Guild, our programs, and our creative community throughout the event.

This is always a fun and successful day, and we are excited to make this year’s Sailfest another great one!

Please register to volunteer by contacting info@ocartistsguild.org.

Let’s come together and show the community what makes OCAG so special!

Important Members’ Show Reminder: All artwork entered in the Members’ Show must be priced and available for sale. Please be sure to include a sale price with every submission.

Congratulations to Bob Henne for being the Sailfest art winner!

Art by Jessica Murga

August Gallery Reception Sunday

Join us for our August Gallery Reception on Sunday, August 2, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

This month’s exhibitions offer everything from imaginative underwater scenes and experimental photography to luminous paintings and joyful mixed-media creations. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!

Members Studio: “Under the Sea”

Take a creative journey beneath the waves in our Members Studio exhibition, “Under the Sea.” Guild members have drawn inspiration from the beauty, mystery, color, and movement of the ocean to create an engaging collection of aquatic-themed artwork.

Gallery 1: Jessica Murga

Gallery 1 will feature the work of photographer and art educator Jessica Murga, who has explored a variety of artistic mediums throughout her more than 20-year creative career. Inspired by travel, nature, and personal expression, Jessica captures beauty in unexpected places and transforms familiar subjects into meaningful works of art. Her current work explores the intersection of traditional art forms and unconventional materials. By adding embroidery to surfaces such as photographs, Jessica challenges the boundaries of both medium and meaning. The combination of photography, texture, and tactile detail invites viewers to experience familiar objects in entirely new ways.

Gallery 2: Deb Savo

Featured in Gallery 2 is Deborah “Deb” Savo, an artist whose lifelong love of creativity was first encouraged by her artistic mother. Deb studied illustration and painting at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia before enjoying a career of more than 30 years in design and illustration. Since retiring in 2014, she has devoted herself to pursuing her passion for painting. Inspired by the Impressionists and their remarkable ability to capture light, Deb strives to bring that same luminous quality to her own paintings. Her subjects include people, landscapes, and commissioned pet portraits inspired by her deep love of animals. She is also a familiar face at the Ocean County Artists’ Guild’s Sunday Portrait Workshop. Deb lives with her husband in Brigantine and has participated in numerous community art events, including the Brigantine Art Walk, Artist Showcase, art pop-ups, and the Brigantine Arts Fine Arts Festival. Her accomplishments include winning first place in an Elks art competition in 2021 and painting one of Brigantine’s public electrical boxes in the center of town. More of Deb’s work can be viewed on her Facebook page, Deb Savo Paintings.

Pop-Up Gallery: Leona Lavone

Our Pop-Up Gallery will showcase the work of beloved artist and instructor Leona Lavone, whose guiding philosophy is, “Art Keeps You Young at Heart.” With more than 27 years of teaching experience, Leona is dedicated to helping people discover their creativity, build confidence, and experience the joy of making art. She teaches watercolor, acrylics, mixed media, and her own playful and expressive approach known as the “Artsy Art Bucket.” In 2025, Leona founded the Joyful Art Collective, a heart-centered creative gathering held every two months at the Guild. These uplifting events combine simple art projects, gentle movement, relaxation, and meaningful connection. Leona is also the published creator of several artist journals and planners available on Amazon, including Note and Art Journal: Book for Writing and Sketching, Thumbnail Journal: For Artists, and a collection of creative weekly planners. She proudly teaches students ranging in age from 5 to 100—literally!

Important Update Membership Price Increase

Dear Members and Friends,

Please note that OCAG membership rates increased effective July 14, 2026.

The updated annual membership fees are:

Single Membership: $60

Couple Membership: $80

Family Membership: $85

Patron Membership: $72

Teen Membership: $30

Membership dues play an important role in supporting our exhibitions, classes, programs, and creative community. We sincerely appreciate your continued support!

Important Reminder for Exhibiting Artists

If you are preparing to submit artwork for an upcoming Members’ Show, please make sure your OCAG membership is active and your dues are current. All participating artists must have an active membership at the time of hanging and installation. Artwork submitted by anyone whose membership is not current will not be displayed. To renew your membership or complete your submission, please visit the OCAG Shop. Thank you for helping us keep the exhibition process running smoothly. We look forward to showcasing your work!

Upcoming Member Show Themes

Here’s a preview of some of the upcoming monthly member show themes and receiving dates.

August: Under the Sea
Receiving Dates: 07/29 & 07/30

September: Artist’s Choice
Receiving Dates: 09/02 & 09/03

November: Chasing Autumn Sunsets
Receiving Dates: 10/28 & 10/29

December: Winter Solstice
Receiving Dates: 12/02 & 12/03

Whether you create paintings, photography, mixed media, sculpture, or more, we encourage all members to participate and showcase their creativity in our monthly exhibits. Start planning your masterpieces now, we can’t wait to see what you create!

Teen Linocut Workshop

Teens are invited to explore the bold and creative world of printmaking at OCAG’s Teen Linocut Workshop! This hands-on class will introduce students to the basics of linocut and reduction printmaking, giving them the opportunity to learn a fun and expressive art technique. Workshops will be held on Monday, July 13 and Monday, August 17, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. The cost is $30 per session, and all supplies are included.

Art Walk Art Show and Sale at Icarus Brewing

OCAG artists are invited to participate in the Art Walk Art Show and Sale at Icarus Brewing on August 8 from 12 to 5 PM. Artists will have the opportunity to showcase and sell their work in the Icarus Beer Garden as part of this creative community event. Set-up begins at 11:30 AM, and tables and easels will be available. The theme for the event is “The Haze Between.” Spots are limited, so interested artists are encouraged to reserve their place soon. To participate, please contact info@ocartistsguild.org.

New Teen Sketch Session with Joseph Rogine

Teens are invited to come draw with Joseph Rogine this summer at the OCAG! This new weekly sketch session is a great opportunity for young artists to build their drawing skills, explore their creativity, and enjoy a relaxed, encouraging studio environment. Classes will be held every Monday from 1:00 PM–3:00 PM. The cost is $20 per session. Students should bring their own sketchbook and pencils. Whether your teen already loves to draw or is looking for a fun creative outlet this summer, this class is a wonderful way to learn, practice, and be inspired!

Juried Photography Show October 2026

OCAG is excited to announce our upcoming Juried Photography Show, coming October 2026! This highly anticipated exhibition will showcase the talent, perspective, and storytelling power of photographers from our creative community and beyond. Whether you capture quiet landscapes, bold street scenes, or striking portraits, this is your opportunity to have your work seen, celebrated, and judged by industry professionals. Stay tuned, more details on submission guidelines, important dates, and the opening reception will be announced soon