Office Closed Next Week

Please note that the OCAG office will be closed the week of August 23 and will resume normal business hours the week of August 30. The Guild itself will remain open, and all regularly scheduled classes, workshops, activities, and gatherings will continue as planned.

OCAG Needs Your Help!

Since 1957, the OCAG has provided a welcoming home for artists, musicians, and creatives of all skill levels throughout New Jersey. The Guild has worked to keep the arts accessible, vibrant, and connected to the community through exhibitions, classes, events, and opportunities for local artists. Now, we need your support to help continue that mission. Every contribution helps us maintain our historic home, provide meaningful arts programming, and preserve a creative space where our community can gather, learn, and grow. Please consider making a donation or sharing our fundraiser with friends and family. Every gift and every share makes a difference!

Oil Painting Class with Debbie Kurtz, All Levels Welcome

Join us this autumn for an inspiring Oil Painting Class taught by instructor Debbie Kurtz. Whether you are a beginner exploring oils for the first time or an experienced artist looking to strengthen your technique, this class offers a welcoming and creative environment for all skill levels. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s words, “The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of,” students will enjoy the process of creating original oil paintings from personal landscape or still-life photographs while developing composition skills and confidence with the medium. Participants are encouraged to bring a selection of favorite reference photos along with their canvas and oil painting materials.

Class Dates:
Tuesday Mornings | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
October 6, 13, 20, 27 & November 3, 10

Pricing:
Members $180 |Public $230

August Brings a Full Calendar of Creativity to OCAG

August is shaping up to be a busy and inspiring month at the OCAG, with classes, workshops, exhibitions, and community events for artists of all ages and experience levels.

Members and visitors can explore a wide range of creative opportunities, including watercolor classes with Leona Lavone, drawing with Joseph Rogine, oil painting with Debra Kurtz, figure drawing sessions, portrait workshops, printmaking, and several Do Your Own Thing gatherings. Young artists can also enjoy Tuesday and Wednesday children’s summer sessions featuring imaginative projects such as carousel animals, sea creatures, messages in the sand, and shellscapes.

Special workshops throughout the month include the Joyful Art Collective, a whimsical altered-book art journal workshop, a teen linocut class with Jo Guscott, and a one-day decoy carving seminar with Jode Hillman. Artists will also have opportunities to connect through Art Book Club, Art Chat,and the Icarus Brewing Art Walk,.

Our event calendar also features a Song Circle, the Island Heights Cultural and Heritage Lecture Series, the Ocean County Art and History Round Table, and an acoustic concert. With so many ways to learn, create, and connect, August offers something for everyone at OCAG!

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!

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.

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!

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