NEWS

The Hoop’s Ten Pillars of Kindness mural

OCAG Donates Mural to Hooper Avenue Elementary

OCAG’s generosity and passion for the arts left a lasting mark inside a Toms River elementary school this month. A vibrant new “The Hoop’s Ten Pillars of Kindness” mural created and installed by OCAG President, Cagney Archdeacon, and donated on behalf of the OCAG, now welcomes students, staff, and families at Hooper Avenue Elementary School.

Principal Jason Hughes expressed the school community’s gratitude in a heartfelt message to OCAG: “The mural is the first thing our students, families, and visitors see when they walk through our doors. It serves not only as a warm welcome, but also as a daily reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and community, the values we strive to instill in our children every day. Your gift will have a lasting impact on our school, and we are honored to display such meaningful artwork. Thank you again for partnering with us to bring beauty and inspiration to Hooper Avenue Elementary.”

President Archdeacon paints the mural

President Archdeacon poured his time, talent, and heart into this piece, weaving together imagery and color that reflects the school’s core values. For OCAG, the mural is more than paint on a wall, it is a symbol of partnership, outreach, and the role art plays in shaping positive environments.

“I love representing the Guild and donating to the community, I can’t wait to do more,” said President Archdeacon. “Thank you, Danielle Archdeacon, OCAG Executive Director, and former OCAG President Bill Pike, for your assistance with the installation, I couldn’t have done it without you!”

This mural reflects OCAG’s mission of enriching our community through the arts, and, by bringing artwork into schools, we are strengthening our ties to the next generation of artists in Ocean County.

Island Heights Townwide Yard Sale This Saturday

OCAG is excited to be part of the Island Heights Townwide Yard Sale on Saturday, September 20, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This festive, annual tradition draws hundreds of eager shoppers to town, and it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase the Guild as a vibrant, welcoming hub for creativity, community, and original art.

We need YOU to help make us shine!

Sell Your Artwork
Take advantage of our magnificent corner location to set up your own table/tent and display your work. Space is limited, so participation will be first-come, first-served. This is a wonderful chance to meet new audiences, share your art, and connect with buyers who are excited to support local creativity.

Volunteer at the Guild
We’re also looking for members to help staff the Guild, greet visitors, and spread the word about our upcoming shows, classes, and events. Your friendly face and enthusiasm help bring people through our doors!

If you’d like to participate, whether by displaying your artwork or volunteering your time, please reach out to:

Marilyn Kralik, Vice President at mkralik@ocean.edu
Danielle Archdeacon, Executive Director at info@ocartistsguild.org

Let’s come together to celebrate community, creativity, and connection. With your help, we’ll make OCAG a highlight of this year’s Townwide Yard Sale!

Pumpkin Carving Contest & Trick-or-Treat with OCAG

Join us for our Pumpkin Carving Contest &Trick-or-Treat Party on October 30th!

Drop off your Jack-o’-lantern October 29th from 1–5 PM at the Guild, 22 Chestnut Avenue, Island Heights.

Our contest with winners will be announced on October 30.

We need the help of our amazing members and friends to make this event a success!

Ways You Can Help:

Volunteer at the Party– Help us welcome families, collect entries, and keep things running smoothly.
Candy Donations – We’ll be handing out treats to trick-or-treaters and donations of Halloween candy is greatly appreciated!
Hand Out Candy – Help us spread smiles and Halloween cheer by giving treats to the kids.

This is a wonderful way for OCAG to shine as a warm, welcoming part of the Island Heights community.

If you’d like to volunteer or donate candy, please reach out to info@ocartistsguild.org.

Sign Up Today for Miss Alison’s September Kids Classes at the OCAG

OCAG is once again opening its doors to young creatives with Miss Alison’s children’s art classes, beginning Tuesday, September 9. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 4:00–5:15 pm (September 9, 16, 23, and 30). The cost is $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers.

Each week, Miss Alison guides students through a new project that blends fun, learning, and imagination. Children will explore painting techniques, experiment with color, and discover different artistic styles while creating a finished masterpiece to take home after every session. More than just art lessons, these classes give kids the confidence to express themselves and the joy of seeing their own creativity come to life on canvas.

Miss Alison is a beloved children’s instructor at OCAG, known for her warmth, encouragement, and ability to inspire budding artists. With a long record of successful classes, she has nurtured and grown the next generation of young creators in the community, helping many discover a lifelong passion for the arts.

Spaces are limited, so parents are encouraged to register early.

Call for Artists: “Allaire Through the Artist’s Eye” Exhibit

OCAG is pleased to share an exciting opportunity for members to showcase their talents in a special fall exhibition, “Allaire Through the Artist’s Eye.” Presented by the Historic Village at Allaire in collaboration with the Art Society of Monmouth County, this juried exhibit will be on display from September 20 through November 23, 2025 in the Enameling Building at Allaire State Park.

This is the first art exhibition hosted at the Village in many years, and it promises to be a celebration of local creativity. Artists are invited to submit works that highlight or are inspired by Allaire Village in any medium, including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, mixed media, digital artwork, and drawing.

Online registration is required and runs August 13 through September 12, 2025. Artists may submit up to two entries, with a fee of $10 for the first piece and $5 for the second. Space is limited to the first 50 works received, so early registration is encouraged. Art must not exceed 24” x 30” or 20 pounds, and all entries must be original works (AI-generated art will not be accepted).

Artwork drop-off is scheduled for Friday, September 19 (2–5 pm) and Saturday, September 20 (9–10 am). The exhibition concludes with a special reception on Sunday, November 23 (1–3 pm), honoring a longtime Allaire artist and celebrating all participants.

This exhibit offers OCAG members a unique chance to share their artistry with a wider audience, connect with fellow creatives, and take part in the cultural revival of one of New Jersey’s most cherished historic sites.

For full details and to register, visit allairevillage.org/applications.

Read the Prospectus here: https://allairevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Allaire-Art-Show-Prospectus.pdf

Ocean County 175th Anniversary Art Contest!

The Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission invites artists 18 years and older to participate in a special art contest commemorating Ocean County’s 175th Anniversary. Now’s your chance to showcase your talent and celebrate our community’s incredible milestone!

THEME:

“Ocean County at 175 Years is a Great Place to Be”
Submit a two-dimensional original artwork that reflects what makes Ocean County unique, beautiful, or meaningful to you.

IMPORTANT DETAILS:
Submission deadline: October 1, 2025

One image of artwork per artist – All work must be original

PRIZES:
1st Place: $500 gift card to Blick Art Materials

2nd Place: $300 Blick gift card

3rd Place: $150 Blick gift card

Selected artworks will be exhibited as part of the county’s 175th anniversary celebration!

HOW TO ENTER:
Visit the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission’s website for full submission guidelines, entry form, and drop-off information: https://co.ocean.nj.us/frmRegContent.aspx?ID=ab0f3ccd-8127-48e5-b5bf-6343c6999094

Let’s celebrate 175 years of history, community, and creativity—submit your artwork today!