Jersey Shore Folk Life Center

Demonstrator Schedule  |  Meet our Artists  |  Adult and Children’s Classes

The Jersey Shore Folklife Center researches, documents, supports and presents the diverse communities and traditions of the Jersey Shore and the Pinelands.  The Center provides professional oversight for folk art programs and exhibits at Tuckerton Seaport and manages the artist roster and guest demonstrator schedule, the Folk and Traditional Artist in Residence Program, the Jersey Traditions outreach program and changing artist exhibits in J.C. Parker's workshop. 

Through daily demonstrations, educational programs, classes and exhibits the Jersey Shore Folklife Center celebrates the profoundly creative spirit of the region, its traditional arts; and its occupational and recreational folklife.

Traditional Artist in Residence Program
The spotlighted NEA Artists for 2008 are as follows:

Debra Simpson- Pinelands Basketry, Mary Carty- Pinelands/ Lenape Basketry, Merry May and Mary Bean-Quilting, Fred Kalm-Occupations in the Pine Barrens (Clamming and Cranberry Harvesting) , Jode Hillman, George Elmer, Brian Hartmann, Harry Shourds, Ross Shourds, Alvin Shourds-Decoy Carving, and Rich Brooks- Fish Decoy Carving.

Please contact Jaclyn Stewart at (609) 296-8868 for more information.

The Traditional Artist in Residence Program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. A great nation deserves great Art. 

Jersey Traditions Outreach Program
Bring history and art alive to your students. Sign up to have an artist come to your classroom!

The Jersey Traditions Outreach Program introduces regional folk arts to children and gives them a chance to learn first-hand from a master the important part these folk arts and skills played in the history of the region and the development of the local culture.  Teachers choose from programs on decoys, quilting, basketry, and boat building.

After participating in the Jersey Traditions class, students pose with carver Fred Reitmeyer and display their painted "flattie."

The outreaches were developed to meet New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards for 4th grade. The program includes pre- and post-visit teacher packets and a visit by a local artist. If you would like more information about the Jersey Traditions program, please call 609-296-8868 x 116.

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