SUZANNE MARINO For The Press
SOMERS POINT — Henri Matisse once said, “Creativity takes courage.” Creativity emanated throughout Kennedy Park on Saturday; the Somers Point Arts Commission saw to that.
Children played games, painted on a giant canvas, made make-believe swords and castles from discarded cardboard, and participated in a clothesline art show during the commission’s annual Art in the Park.
Students from Charter Tech High School for the Performing Arts entertained the crowds at the annual event, which the Arts Commission bills as a celebration of creative talent and summertime recreation.
Artists set up their booths to share their creations and hopefully sell some as well. Many were veterans of previous Art in the Park events, but for others, like Sharon Schmidt and Susan Piso, it was their very first show.
Piso, a retired chemist from Whiting, Ocean County, planned to go to the beach and paint when she retired. She followed her plans and says she loves it. She said her favorite piece, “Living My Sunset Years,” is exactly what she is doing, and her art makes her feel free and creative.
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Piso works with acrylics, but artists brought their art to Kennedy Park in a variety of mediums. Alexis Flack’s work is inspired by nature. She creates art by using cross-cut sections of fallen trees. “A tree’s rings are like a fingerprint; each one has its own characteristics. She uses a torch to seal the wood and bring out its distinct rings. Flack also leads nature-inspired workshops through her Wild Grown Art Studio. She and Shana Kestrel, also of Somers Point, will collaborate on a show this fall at the Nashville North Studio in Linwood.
You might say Wayne Russell is the consummate recycler. “I look at things other people walk right past, and I try to think of what I can make with it,” said Russell, of Estell Manor.
His booth was filled with fun and whimsical creations that he found a way to put together, like a dartboard clock made up of pieces from classic games like checkers, Monopoly and backgammon. People around to see and hear about his gathered art.
King El is 14 years old and just completed his freshman year at Egg Harbor Township High School. He said he has been drawing seriously for three years. His subjects are the things and people that catch his eye.
Judy Harper is a waitress by profession and an artist by avocation. “When the pandemic hit and we had to stay home, I started decorating cigar boxes,” said Harper as she stood in front of a table filled with repurposed boxes. “They saved my sanity during that time. I really enjoyed creating something very different.”
GALLERY: Art in the Park in Somers Point
Bella Ortiz, left, of Manahawkin, and artist Cal Distelcamp, of Galloway Township and Cycled Up Studio.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
14-year-old King El, of Egg Harbor Township, displays a painting he recently completed.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Quinton Greene, of Sicklerville, displays an eclectic collection he called his summer vibe.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Judy Harper, of Egg Harbor Township
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Skailyn Briggs, 6, of Somers Point, whips up a batch of slime.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Kids played games Saturday during Art in the Park in Somers Point.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Dawn Hodge helped with the games.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Sherry Coleman-Hauck, of Northfield, shares a dance with her 7-year-old twins, Zachariah and Zephaniah.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Shana Kestrel, of Somers Point, shows off one of her abstract kitties.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Alexis Flack, of Somers Point, creates paintings from tree prints.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Wayne Russell, of Estell Manor, creates something out of just about everything he finds, including this 20-pound buffalo made from discarded steel. The armadillo is made from recycled, painted and carved Styrofoam.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Sharon Schmidt, of Upper Township, has been painting for decades but made Somers Point Art in the Park her first art show ever.
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Steen Kuzma, of Ventnor, explains his work at Somers Point’s Art in the Park.
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Susan Piso, of Whiting, says her painting “Living My Sunset Years” captures her current state.
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Michael Sarapuchiella, of Whiting, is a self-taught painter.
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Rick Lang, of Marmora, says he enjoys a good day at the beach painting the scenes around him.
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Artists Quinton Greene, left, of Sicklerville, and Tim Faherty, of Upper Township, discuss their craft.
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Amanda Sapp, left, and her mom, Carol, brought their work to Art in the Park.
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Lance Balderson, of Seaville in Upper Township, was one of the judges at this year’s Art in the Park. He admitted it was the toughest year so far to judge because there were so many talented artists at the event.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Artist Judy Harper painted decorative boxes during the pandemic and said it kept her happy, busy and sane for months.
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Photographer Nicole Cannone, of Egg Harbor Township, enjoys nature and creates all her frames from recycled wood.
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Caitlin Wood-Bottorf, 13, of Egg Harbor Township, adds a yellow flower to the large kids’ mural painted at Kennedy Park.
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Mahad Sajid, 5, of Egg Harbor Township, paints a racecar.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Lily Sikoryak, 6, and sister Ava, 3, of Egg Harbor Township, get their faces painted.
SUZANNE MARINO, for The Press
Art in the Park winners assemble Saturday at Kennedy Park in Somers Point.
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