Page 66 - 2023 Southern NJ Vacationer

WHEATONARTS
Discover the Creative World of WheatonArts
A LOCAL TREASURE hidden among Southern New Jersey’s pine trees rests a peaceful sanctuary filled with creative wonder. WheatonArts and Cultural Center, one of the most unusual and creative nonprofits in the Northeast for over fifty years, was initially founded in 1970 as a turn-of-the-20th- century glass town destination by glass magnate Frank H. Wheaton Jr. It has since evolved into a hub for the region’s cultural diversity, a resource for artists exploring the limits of their creativity, and is recognized regionally and globally for its engaging collections and programs.
A collection of uniquely designed buildings connected across 45 acres, including a mile- looping Nature Trail, forms the WheatonArts campus. It is home to the internationally known Museum of American Glass, the Down Jersey Folklife Center, Glass and Pottery Artist Studios, an international Creative Glass Fellowship Program, Event Center, and several award-winning Museum Stores. Additionally, WheatonArts’ campus hosts traditional and multicultural programs, classes, performances, and popular weekend festivals every year, including the crowd-favorite Festival of Fine Craft on the first full weekend of October.
Open seasonally from April through December, the Museum of American Glass
and Down Jersey Folklife Center present new thought-provoking exhibitions with tours and educational programming. Located at the heart of WheatonArts, the Museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections of glass produced in America. On view are the first glass bottles made in colonial times to modern works by Dale Chihuly and Paul Stankard, as well as the world’s largest hand- blown glass bottle! Cultural groups from the community are highlighted each year in the Folklife Center, showcasing the richly diverse populations of South Jersey and connecting generations of the human spirit.
The Artist Studios serve as excellent incubators of ideas for resident artists and visitors alike. Here, imagination and artistic process meet as highly-skilled artists demonstrate the transformation of wet clay and molten hot glass into beautiful objects. The artists delight in discussing their materials and tools, scientific properties, history, and the social forces that shape their art with everyone who enters! Visitors can also sign up in advance for a “Make-Your-Own” activity for a hands-on experience in creating a glass or clay object of choice with expert guidance from a WheatonArts teaching artist.
In the Glass Studio lives the Creative Glass Fellowship Program, bringing in artists from
around the world to collaborate and experiment with traditional and innovative glassmaking processes. The Fellowship Program provides 24-hour Studio facilities, technical resources, housing, and a stipend, making the expenses of glassmaking more accessible to working artists. It also enhances the audience experience with a window into the creative practices, ideas, and visions of artists from different parts of the world. Past Fellows include Netflix Blown Away stars Deborah Czeresko, Alexander Rosenberg, and Grace Whiteside, as well as prominent artists like Beth Lipman and Sibylle Peretti.
The award-winning Museum Stores offer a variety of art and crafts in all mediums. Find unexpected treasures and unique everyday items with a whimsical twist in the General Store. Revisit childhood sweets at the famously popular candy counter and save a quarter to hear a tune from the antique JP Seeburg Player Piano! The Gallery of Fine Craft features one-of-a-kind contemporary sculpture, fine crafts in glass, ceramics, wood, metal, and mixed media, as well as a broad selection of glass jewelry. The Arthur Gorham Paperweight Shop specializes in handcrafted traditional and contemporary weights from world-renowned artists such as Paul Stankard, Jim D’Onofrio, Mayauel Ward, John Deacons, and others.
Not only is WheatonArts a physical presence in the community, it is a virtual one too! Expanding access in the mission to connect artists and audiences in an evolving exploration of creativity, WheatonArts produces free virtu- al programs every month along with access to the Museum Stores online. Family Art Work- shops provide crafty video tutorials, allowing viewers of all skill levels to engage at home with fun activities using limited art supplies. The Wheaton Conversations series invites people of all ages to converse with diverse and inspirational artists discussing their art and creative process on select Thursday nights.
Add WheatonArts to your travel plans today. Explore current exhibitions, events, programs, and visiting hours on the WheatonArts website at www.wheatonarts.org. Questions? Call the WheatonArts office during business hours at 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or email mail@wheatonarts.org. The drive is easy, too! Set your GPS to 1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ 08332. G
64 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY VACATIONER