Summer Craft Show Set in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY — The most talented artisans on the East Coast will exhibit and sell their unique handiwork at this resort’s indoor-outdoor Summer Arts and Crafts Festival set for Sat., July 17 at Carey Stadium and the Sports and Civic Center 6th St. off Boardwalk. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Festival is produced by the South Jersey Artisans Guild, whose previous show here have set all time attendance records. Crafters from throughout the region will participate offering an array of unique specialties including fine art, photography, hand blown glass, dried flowers, dolls and an array of other hand made products.
Featured artist will be Joyce Gagen of Shamong, N.J. who specializes in shore birds and seashore art. Gagen’s watercolors have won prizes in prestigious shows throughout the East Coast.
She has represented New Jersey with watercolors at the White House in the administrations of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Her work was displayed on a commemorative Easter Egg presented to Clinton and a Christmas ornament given to Bush.
A graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art, Gagen believes that the long Jersey Shore line is an ideal place to study and paint birds. She does most of her paintings on site,
photographing birds to make sure every detail is correct.
A sampling of crafters scheduled for the exhibition include Gretchen Holse with Wearable Art; Cristina Robenstein featuring handmade tutus, flower clips, bows and headbands; Jane Graner, organic teas; Constance Brooks displaying and selling Fairy Doll and other mystical creatures and Karl Fey with Holiday Village Houses.
Also exhibiting and selling are Fon Fontaine, handcrafted Floral Arrangements; Hope Grimes with jackets and dresses made from vintage textiles; handbags and wall art quilts by Joyce Hughes; Gold and Silver handcrafted jewelry by Clare Marshall; hand blown glass by Jeff Vanaman; wood sun clocks and thermometers by Donovan Saunders and much more.
The Ocean City exhibitions are produced by JoAnne and Norman Schaut of Ocean City who donate all profits to area charities. The Schaut’s shows are the only craft events in the country that require every exhibitor to display a sign stating: “Every Offering in this Booth is Guaranteed to be Handcrafted by the Seller thereby eliminating all imports and massed produced products, commonly referred to as buy-sell items.”
A $3 admission charge benefits local charities including the Sunshine Foundation for ill children, the Atlantic Riding Center for Handicapped Children, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, the American Red Cross and the Ocean City Food Cupboard. For information, contact the Jersey Shore Artisans Guild, 800-225-1007 or 609-399-9998.