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. 

Come see the New Jersey Shore Folklife Center building, now located at Kelly's Oyster House. See folk art exhibits daily and come view demonstrations by traditional artisits including basketmaking chair caneing, painting, and glassmaking. 

Upcoming classes include:

Popular Picnic Basket
Instructor: Mary May
Saturday June 12, 19, and 26
10am-5pm
$150 members/ $165 nonmembers plus materials fee
Join Mary May for three Saturdays in June to make a picnic basket you’ll use for years to come! This popular picnic basket is roomy and the lid doubles as a tray. It has two hand carved oak swinging handles and a" filled in bottom." The approximate size is 11"x 15"x 12", and has a Cherokee-influenced design. This basket touches on many weaving skills, so some weaving experience is helpful. Bring lunch and basic weaving tools if you have them. Materials fee of $55 payable to instructor day of class. Pre-registration is required by June 6.

Ongoing throughout the year:

Check in at Boatworks to see Boatbuilder Ron Spodofora and his apprentices as they build historic Barnegat Bay sneakboxes.

Daily decoy carving demonstrations in Jay C. Parker's Decoy Shop and Hurley Conklin's Decoy Shop and boatbuilding demonstrations in Perrine's Boatworks.

Call 609-296-8868 for a full schedule of each day's activities.

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.

Pickin' on the Porch
Second Sunday of Every Month from 12pm to 5pm
$5.00 Includes Admission to all Seaport Exhibits
Free for Seaport Members

Join us on the Seaport grounds for a jam session and get together. Come to pick or just listen. We'll swap songs, tell stories and share homemade goodies. Bluegrass, Country and Old Time Music.
Acoustic instruments only please!

Directions By Car or Boat