FOR ARTISTS Welcome Monmouth Artists! Whether you’re just starting out or years into your creative career, we’re here to help you thrive. From visual artists and filmmakers to writers, dancers, musicians and beyond, we’re dedicated to giving Monmouth County creators the support they need. Create and Connect Inspiration grows when artists come together. We strive to stimulate new ideas, connect creators who can energize each other and help you build new creative and business skills. Workshops for Creatives Arts Mixers Artist Registry Show Your Work Showcasing your work should be exciting, and we'll help make it more accessible. These resources can help you share your work, reach new audiences, and fuel your future creativity. 
 Call for Entries ArtSpace Exhibitions Annual Member Exhibits Monmouth County Senior Art Show Meet Our Partners We’re proud to partner with a range of nonprofit organizations across the county. Take a look at our member list; you may find support and opportunities through our network to help you take your next creative step. 
 View List of Members For Arts Educators You know how powerful the arts can be in changing young lives. Explore resources designed to support your teaching and help you enrich students through self-expression. Arts Educator Resources Arts Educator Awards Monmouth Arts Teen Arts Festival Emerging Artist Scholarship Program Our commitment to artists includes young artists and their education. Each year we offer scholarships for teens pursuing a degree in the arts, including performing, literary, design, music and more. Get the details and read about our talented past recipients. Emerging Artist Scholarship Program Read the Latest Arts News Our blog is regularly updated with the latest arts news at Monmouth Arts and in the county. Read the Blog FEATURED ARTISTS Sarah Fishbein Visual Artist Sarah’s work in large-scale glass mosaics was featured at Artspace in 2025. "I use glass because of how tactile it is & the textures & colors that you just can't get out of paint," she says."The mosaics themselves became little pieces of myself that, put together, make something powerful." Learn More Membership Gives Artists Even More Open the door to more opportunities & involvement in the dynamic arts scene of Monmouth County. Exhibit or perform at ArtSpace, our Red Bank gallery & community space Get access to members-only emails which include grants, scholarships, open calls, job listings, workshops, classes, discounts and more Share your work with our thousands of subscribers and growing network Explore Memberships

Arts Integration is a teaching practice that integrates both art and non-art into the content of the classrom experience for a well rounded education. DEFINING ARTS INTEGRATION There are several definitions of Arts Integration, but the above seems to sum up the concept quickly and succinctly. Arts Integration is not art for art’s sake, nor is it meant to replace traditional arts education. Arts Integration is a teaching practice that integrates both art and non-art (for example, chemistry, trigonometry, history, literature) into the content of the classroom experience to enrich learning, excite and motivate students, and provide a well-rounded education. Researchers and neuroscientists continue to provide validation and data that supports the merit of arts integrated teaching techniques. Other states, such as California, Texas and Arizona, have been making leaps and bounds in arts integration across their state. Some use the term, Arts Infusion, and it’s worth noting that this is synonymous with Arts Integration. New Jersey is a leader in arts education in our country. At the state and regional level, there are many groups—including the NJ Department of Education, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, NJ Arts Education Partnership, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, Monmouth Arts and more—who meet regularly (and passionately!) to discuss arts education and arts integration in our state. This group has begun work on an Arts Integration User Guide for New Jersey Educators and Practitioners to help schools and districts with a step-by-step guide on how to introduce arts integration into their curricula. It doesn’t have to be a major leap but can be something that is discussed, planned and “integrated” over a span of time. School leaders should know that state and regional organizations, like those mentioned above and more, are here to help them! Please email our Arts Education and Events Manager, Vinny Martini , or call Monmouth Arts if you have any questions and would like to discuss Arts Integration further. Photo Courtesy of the Friendship Train Foundation What is STEAM? STEAM is a type of Arts Integration and is also a separate learning strategy in itself, employed by a growing number of educational systems, organizations and individuals to enhance student learning. The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is widely credited with forging the STEM to STEAM movement, placing Art & Design in the mix of integrative learning. Several schools in Monmouth County are beginning to include STEAM programming within schools and during after school hours. There are organizations, such as the Friendship Train Foundation , that partner with schools and other groups to bring STEAM programming to new communities. On a national, state and local level, STEAM is a positive, growing trend that is meant to strengthen problem solving, creativity and innovation, mathematic skills, scientific concepts and overall learning in our collective youth. Friendship Train Foundation The Friendship Train Foundation offers STEAMLabs, a new educational enrichment program available to schools, recreation departments and other organizations in Monmouth and northern Ocean counties. STEAMLabs sparks children's interest in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) through a variety of exciting, hands-on enrichment activities that reinforce school learning. In these classes, children are encouraged to create, experiment, investigate, and collaborate in an informal, fun environment. STEAMLabs fits into after school and recreation programs, school assemblies, end-of-year activities and summer camps. To learn more, visit My Steam Labs . Photos Courtesy of the Friendship Train Foundation ARTS INTEGRATION “ARTS INTEGRATION IS A TEACHING STRATEGY IN WHICH THE ARTS ARE INTEGRATED WITH THE NON-ARTS CIRRICULUM TO DEEPEN STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF BOTH" -Isenberg and Jalongo, 2010, Werner and Freeman, 2001 RESOURCES For more information on Arts Integration, check out these resources: The Kennedy Center Education Closet National Education Association: Arts Across the Curriculum, Grades K-5 STEAM @ RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) STEAM Science-Technology-Engineering-Art & Design-Mathematics

CALL FOR ENTRIES Interested in exhibitions or other projects with Monmouth Arts? Check out this page for our current opportunities! Monmouth Arts invites the creative community of Monmouth County to submit works that explore the theme of FEAST as part of the organization’s annual member exhibition, to be held at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, September 4 - November 2, 2026, with an opening reception on Friday, September 11, 6-8:00pm. The deadline to submit is July 27, 2026. With FEAST we ask artists to explore the aesthetics and implications of abundance, desire, and consumption. Inspired by the rich visual language of historical still life painting—decadent tables, ornate objects, and symbols of status—the exhibition invites artists to reinterpret these traditions through a modern lens. We seek work that examines themes of indulgence, consumer culture, ritual, identity, appetite, inequality, pleasure, and longing. Artists are encouraged to consider both literal and metaphorical forms of consumption: what we crave, what we value, and what shapes our relationship to material and symbolic abundance. The 2026 Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Feast Application Link Guidelines and Preview We welcome diverse perspectives and mediums, including painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, textile, and photography. We look forward to an exhibition that expands this conversation and brings new meaning to the idea of the feast. FEAST will be guest curated by Tova Navarra, an award-winning artist, writer, and educator. She is the author of more than 30 books, including New Jersey Artists Through Time and the forthcoming New Jersey Masters: A New Legacy of Visual Arts. Tova has exhibited extensively throughout the Northeast, including solo exhibitions in New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, while continuing to contribute to the region’s cultural landscape as a juror, curator, photographer, and writer. Monmouth Arts is pleased to be returning to the Oyster Point Hotel on the Navesink River in Red Bank for this year’s group exhibit. The Oyster Point is one of Monmouth County’s most celebrated venues for art and gatherings, featuring exhibits and an innovative artist in residence program. The Monmouth Arts annual member exhibit – now in its ninth year – is named for Dr. Charles Sills, who was a painter, sculptor, collector, and supporter of the arts. He retired from his role as the Chief of Surgery at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch in 2000. His work has been shown at many galleries in Monmouth County and he won awards from New York's Allied Artists of America as well as Knickerbocker Artists. ArtSpace 2027 Location: 99 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ Each year, Monmouth Arts invites its members to propose an exhibition in our event space and gallery at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank. More information on applications for solo and small group exhibitions for 2027 will be coming soon. Human Thread: The Art of Compassion and Courage Location: The Caroline Huber Wellness Center at Brookdale Community College Deadline: May 1, 2026 Exhibition: June 2 - August 10, 2026 Opening reception: Thursday, June 4 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm Deadline has Passed The Caroline Huber Wellness Center at Brookdale Community College in partnership with Monmouth Arts invites artists to submit works for a special exhibition celebrating two of Brookdale’s guiding values: Compassion and Courage. These values shape the College’s poverty-informed practices—removing barriers, leading with love, and acting boldly to open doors for all learners. We seek artwork that reflects the emotional, social, and human dimensions of these commitments. Art has long served as one of humanity's most powerful tools for social transformation. Where policy stalls and words fall short, a painting, a photograph, or a mural can crack open empathy in ways that little else can. Artists like Käthe Kollwitz, whose unflinching depictions of poverty and grief gave face to the voiceless, understood that to render suffering with honesty and tenderness is to refuse its invisibility — and in that refusal, to invite others into connection rather than turning away. It is this same impulse that drives artists working today to document resilience, bear witness to hardship, and find in the human face evidence of endurance, hope, and the stubborn will to carry on. We invite you to bring that spirit to this exhibition — to submit work that holds the full weight of compassion and courage, and that trusts the capacity of the arts to remind us we are never as alone as struggle might make us feel. To make art about compassion and courage is not a gentle act. It is an insistence that human dignity cannot be negotiated away, and that solidarity, practiced boldly and tenderly, is itself a form of resistance. Selected works will be featured in the curated exhibition in the Wellness Center providing a platform for artists to showcase their interpretations of the theme. ELIGIBILITY & FEES ARTWORK CRITERIA SUBMISSION GUIDELINES EXHIBIT TIMEFRAME Open to all Brookdale Community College students, faculty, and staff as well as members of Monmouth Arts. There is no submission fee for eligible artists. Artists who would like to become new members and submit may use the discount code THREAD to receive $10 off the $40 artist membership rate. Student memberships are free. For more information and an online membership form, please go to www.monmoutharts.org/join-us. Established, emerging, and student artists who are 16 and over are encouraged to submit works to this opportunity. Artists will receive 100% of sales. Accepted 2D work includes drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, lithography, printmaking, and digital art. Large 2D works can be accommodated in the space. Reproductions of original works will not be accepted. All 2D works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. Performance art (up to 5 mins in length) can be submitted and will be scheduled for the opening reception. Video and film (up to 5 mins in length) can be submitted and will be shown during the opening reception. Submissions must be entered through the online Submittable platform. After reading the complete guidelines, you can create a free account or log in to your existing Submittable account. Submissions are limited to a maximum of three (3) entries. Application deadline: May 1, 2026 Work chosen by: May 11, 2026 Artwork delivery dates: May 27 through May 29, 2026 (8:30am - 4:00pm) Exhibition: June 2, 2026 – August 10, 2026 (8:30am - 4:00pm) Opening reception: June 4, 2026, 4:00 - 6:00pm Artwork pick up date: no later than August 14, 2026 (8:30am - 4:00pm) For assistance, accessibility requests, or questions about submitting please contact Connie Isbell, Membership & Community Engagement Director, at connie@monmoutharts.org ; 732.212.1890 ext 101.

Meet the Monmouth Arts team dedicated to connecting our community to the arts. Meet the Staff Executive Director Teresa Staub Mail teresa@monmoutharts.org Phone 732.212.1890 x 100 Membership & Community Engagement Director Connie Isbell Mail connie@monmoutharts.org Phone 732.212.1890 x 101 Arts Education Manager Devan Brash Mail devan@monmoutharts.org Phone 732.212.1890 x 102 Finance Manager Angela Geller Mail finance@monmoutharts.org Phone 732.212.1890 x 104 Marketing Manager Debra Maricic Mail debra@monmoutharts.org Phone 732.212.1890 x 103 Marketing & Events Manager Maitte Avila Mail maitte@monmoutharts.org Phone 732.212.1890 Creative Expressions Arts & Wellness Associate Amanda Harvey Mail amanda@monmoutharts.org Phone 732.212.1890 Development & Marketing Coordinator Alyssa Calderone Mail alyssa@monmoutharts.org Phone 732.212.1890

Monmouth Arts' Annual Member Exhibits showcases art work focused on different themes. Attend our current exhibit or view our past exhibits through our digital galleries. ANNUAL MEMBER EXHIBITS Location: Oyster Point Hotel, 146 Bodman Place, Red Bank Deadline: July 27, 2026 Exhibition: September 4 - November 2, 2026 Opening Reception: Friday, September 11, 4:00 - 6:00pm Call For Entries Page The 2026 Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Feast Monmouth Arts invites the creative community of Monmouth County to submit works that explore the theme of FEAST as part of the organization’s annual member exhibition, to be held at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, September 4 - November 2, 2026, with an opening reception on Friday, September 11, 6-8:00pm. The deadline to submit is July 27, 2026. With FEAST we ask artists to explore the aesthetics and implications of abundance, desire, and consumption. Inspired by the rich visual language of historical still life painting—decadent tables, ornate objects, and symbols of status—the exhibition invites artists to reinterpret these traditions through a modern lens. We seek work that examines themes of indulgence, consumer culture, ritual, identity, appetite, inequality, pleasure, and longing. Artists are encouraged to consider both literal and metaphorical forms of consumption: what we crave, what we value, and what shapes our relationship to material and symbolic abundance. We welcome diverse perspectives and mediums, including painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, textile, and photography. We look forward to an exhibition that expands this conversation and brings new meaning to the idea of the feast. FEAST will be guest curated by Tova Navarra, an award-winning artist, writer, and educator. She is the author of more than 30 books, including New Jersey Artists Through Time and the forthcoming New Jersey Masters: A New Legacy of Visual Arts. Tova has exhibited extensively throughout the Northeast, including solo exhibitions in New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, while continuing to contribute to the region’s cultural landscape as a juror, curator, photographer, and writer. Monmouth Arts is pleased to be returning to the Oyster Point Hotel on the Navesink River in Red Bank for this year’s group exhibit. The Oyster Point is one of Monmouth County’s most celebrated venues for art and gatherings, featuring exhibits and an innovative artist in residence program. About Charles Sills Now in its ninth year, the Monmouth Arts annual member exhibit was renamed in 2022 in memory of Dr. Charles Sills, who was a painter, sculptor, collector, and supporter of the arts. He retired from his role as the Chief of Surgery at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch in 2000. His work has been shown at many galleries in Monmouth County and he won awards from New York's Allied Artists of America as well as Knickerbocker Artists. Caryl Sills next to Charles Sills' sculpture at the 2025 exhibit: Seen & Unseen PAST EXHIBITS The 2025 Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Seen and Unseen Monmouth Arts invited the creative community of Monmouth County to submit works that explore the theme of Seen & Unseen as part of our annual member exhibition, on display at Monmouth University’s Pollak Gallery in West Long Branch. Seen & Unseen is a call for artists to look more closely—not only at our surroundings but also at the inner landscapes we carry. It’s an invitation to recognize the presence and power of what is often left in the shadows. Through painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, the exhibition invites both artists and audiences to consider: What do we overlook in our daily lives? What deserves to be remembered? And how do the spaces we inhabit reflect the spaces within us? Seen & Unseen was guest curated by Vaune Peck, founding Director of Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts. For three decades, Peck has led the Center’s comprehensive programming in the performing and visual arts, bringing a dynamic range of cultural experiences to the community. Click here to view the digital gallery. The Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Terra Incognito (An Unknown Land) The 2024 Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit, Terra Incognita (An Unknown Land), invited participating artists to reflect on the unknown within their creative practice—whether a recurring subject, an elusive theme, or an aspect of their process that remains unresolved yet compelling. The exhibit was curated by George Bates, a nationally and internationally recognized artist known for his work in public art, fine art, and private commissions. Formerly based in New York and now living in the Asbury Park area, Bates brought a thoughtful perspective to the show’s theme. Presented by Monmouth Arts, the exhibition was hosted at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, a celebrated venue on the Navesink River known for its vibrant support of the arts and its innovative artist-in-residence program. Click here to view the digital gallery. The Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Reinvention This exhibition examined the theme of Reinvention and its relation to art, creativity, community, and our professional and personal journeys. The act of reinvention may bring a sense of renewal, a focus on sustainability, or be a simple act of giving new life to an object or idea. All of the exhibited art is the work of 44 Monmouth Arts members, who represent the creative, vibrant spirit of Monmouth County. Monmouth Arts was pleased to host the curated group exhibit in the Long Branch Arts and Cultural Center, a historic bank building that experienced its own reinvention when it was transformed into a gallery and community space in 2021. The exhibition was guest co-curated by Tara Collins, an area artist with deep connections to the arts community. Click here to view the digital gallery. The Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Belonging This exhibition was an exploration of how our community imagines and celebrates a collective vision of Belonging. Through art we can tell new stories and further important conversations that enrich our sense of community. These connections can help us transcend crises, empower and connect us. All of the art is the work of Monmouth Arts members, who represent the creative, vibrant spirit of Monmouth County. Monmouth Arts was pleased to be showcase the exhibit in the Center for Visual Arts Gallery at Brookdale Community College. The exhibition was curated by Elisa Elorza, CVA Gallery Coordinator. Click here to view the digital gallery. Journey In recognition of our 50th Anniversary, Monmouth Arts is reflecting on the journey we’ve been on over the past half-century as well as where we’re headed. Journey is a group exhibition to be held at Monmouth University’s Pollak Gallery. This exhibition will showcase works that express Journey as it relates to the artist’s experiences. Where have you been and where are you going? Contributing artists are all current members of Monmouth Arts. Monmouth University's Pollak Gallery 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch December 2, 2021 - January 27, 2022 Click here to view the digital gallery. Sanctuary Sanctuary is a virtual group exhibit of Monmouth Arts members with a physical pop-up exhibit to be held in December at 10PRL, an arts and events space in Long Branch. For some, “sanctuary” may not be a physical structure or shelter but a community or a representation of what makes an individual feel safe or protected from the outside world. This exhibition expresses the experience of sanctuary as it relates to the artist's world, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 10 PRL 515 Bath Ave, Long Branch December 7, 2020 - January 2021 Click here to view the digital gallery. Out of the Blue An eclectic collection of local artwork Out of the Blue is a showcase of artwork by 40 members of Monmouth Arts, including everything from drawings to paintings to sculpture, from the fantastical to the emotional to the photographic. Held in the Bungalounge, the bar and gallery of the Bungalow Hotel in Pier Village, this show is a visual celebration of our creative community. The opening reception was a big hit. Read more on our Artzine . The Bungalounge @ Bungalow Hotel, Pier Village 50 Laird Street, Long Branch November 7, 2019 - January 24, 2020 Structure Interpretations of human-made structure through the perspective of painting, drawing, photography, and more. This group show of Monmouth Arts members, put together by Guest Curator Bart Lentini Photography , will be installed at the Upper Gallery of the historic Spring Lake Community House & Theatre, located at 300 Madison Avenue, Spring Lake. The Upper Gallery @ Spring Lake Community House & Theater 300 Madison Avenue, Spring Lake December 1, 2018 - March 22, 2019

Local events, resources, programming, and more from our neighboring organizations. ARTS ACCESS LOCAL RESOURCES Act Out Act Out in Marlboro, NJ provides theater for kids, teens, adults with special needs. The Arc of Monmouth The mission of The Arc of Monmouth is to improve the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This is accomplished through advocacy, services and supports, collaboration with community partners and community education. Ballet Company of the Performing Arts Ensemble Ballet Company of the Performing Arts Ensemble in Red Bank includes children with disabilities. Creative Aging Arts For older adults, Creative Aging Arts provides art workshops that stimulate connections between the visual arts and the creative process. The art activities celebrate individual expression, are meaningful, and provide pleasurable experiences connecting the individual to the larger group. Karen Starrett, founder of Creative Aging Arts, is a certified art teacher and dementia practitioner. She received a BA in art education and Certification in Gerontology from Rutgers University. She was trained at The Creative Center: Arts in Healthcare and through The National Center for Creative Aging. For the past five years, Karen has been bringing her art workshops to senior centers and assisted living facilities. She is also a working artist who exhibits frequently in the NY/NJ area including the Johnson & Johnson Gallery and the Noyes Museum. If you'd like to learn more about Creative Aging Arts, click here . Guild of Creative Art Docent Program Guild of Creative Art Docent Program caters to the developmental and cognitive needs of any population, but especially reaches out to those who would not ordinarily visit an art gallery or non-profit artistic cooperative, namely elementary school aged students, adults and children with special needs, and seniors with cognitive or physical disabilities. Middletown Arts Center Middletown Arts Center has been awarded the Ruth Hughes Award for Accessible Recreation Facility by the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association. Programs include Visual Arts and Dance Programs for children with special needs; Inclusive Summer Arts Camp programs that provide opportunities for children with special needs; Camp Jinka – a specialized camp for children affected by brain tumors; programs with the Arc of Monmouth for adults with special needs; and discounted Senior Citizen programs. Monmouth County Library The Monmouth County Library is committed to making services and collections available to all. For those with special needs the Library has a large collection of printed materials and a wide variety of services and resources to make the library accessible to people with disabilities, their families, and caretakers. Monmouth County Park System’s Therapeutic Recreation Programs The mission of the Therapeutic Recreation Division is to provide access to recreational opportunities for Monmouth County residents with disabilities in order to enhance physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning, as well as a sense of belonging to the community. Monmouth Museum Monmouth Museum often offers tactile exhibits. Check their current exhibitions online! Oasis TLC Oasis TLC in Middletown created its first Transitional Residential Adult Independent Learning (T.R.A.I.L.) Center designed to provide residential, vocational, social and educational experiences for young adults with autism in a highly supportive, home community farm setting. Over the course of the program, students will focus on the development of life skills that will help prepare them for employment and independent living. Social Communities Activities Network (SCAN) Social Communities Activities Network (SCAN) in Eatontown is NJ's premier provider of continuing education for adults since 1988 and is located in the basement level of the Monmouth Mall. Courses include: Art, Computers, Technology, Digital Photography, Fitness, Health, Languages, History, Music, TV Production, Finance, and much more. Special People United to Ride (SPUR) Working in conjunction with the Monmouth County Park System, Special People United to Ride (SPUR) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to achieve personal goals through therapeutic horsemanship. Sunnyside Equestrian Center offers Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies, including therapeutic horseback riding lessons and Horses for Heroes: Programs & workshops for veterans. REGIONAL & NATIONAL RESOURCES Arts Unbound Arts Unbound, founded in 2000, is a studio and gallery in Orange, NJ specializing in the visual arts for youth and adults with mental, physical and developmental disabilities. The Council for Exceptional Children The Council for Exceptional Children offers Webinars, Workshops and Summits in the area of special education. The organization is active in local, state and federal issues, as exemplified by their arts advocacy letters earlier this year opposing the ESEA bill for several reasons. This is an excellent website for professional development and also special education news and policy information. Deaf West Theatre Deaf West Theatre engages artists and audiences in unparalleled theater experiences inspired by Deaf culture and the expressive power of sign language, weaving ASL with spoken English to create a seamless ballet of movement and voice. Located in New York City. Kids Included Together (KIT) Kids Included Together (KIT) provides best practices training to help communities, businesses, and child care/recreation programs include children with all kinds of disabilities and special needs. Viewing disability as a form of diversity rather than a deficiency enables positive outcomes for all children. The Matheny School Matheny’s Arts Access program empowers individuals with disabilities to create art without boundaries. Through the use of innovative systems and techniques, participants can take part in the visual, performing and literary arts. Regardless of their disability, clients are provided with the tools and materials needed to produce complete pieces of work. Located in Peapack, NJ. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Accessibility - Grants and Resources Pure Vision Arts Pure Vision Arts is New York’s first specialized art studio and exhibition space for people with developmental disabilities. PVA is staffed by trained professionals with backgrounds in art education, fine arts, and art therapy who provide mentoring and support to the artists who attend the studio. Visual Arts Center of NJ The Art Center’s community engagement programs deliver engaging and educational visual arts experiences to under-served, economically disadvantaged, marginalized audiences or communities with barriers. VSA New Jersey - State Organization on Arts and Disability VSA New Jersey is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the creative power of people with disabilities. The organization offers artist residencies, workshops, mentoring, parent/child workshops in the arts for children with autism, and arts achievement awards.

Monmouth Arts was proud to welcome our community to the 2026 Annual Meeting, Reset, Restore, Create, an evening dedicated to reflection, connection, and the transformative role of the arts in wellness and creativity. The program opened with a grounding sound bowl healing session led by musician Jamie Coppa, setting an intentional and restorative tone for the evening. Guests then heard from Dr. Micah Hillis, DSW, LCSW, Director of the Brandt Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Retreat at Rutgers University Behavioral HealthCare, who shared insights on emerging initiatives at the intersection of arts and wellness. Drawing inspiration from a quote often attributed to Hans Christian Andersen — “When words fail, music speaks” — Dr. Hillis offered his own powerful reflection: “When words fail, the arts speak,” underscoring the vital role creative expression plays in healing, communication, and balance. Throughout the evening, attendees reflected on Monmouth Arts’ accomplishments from 2025 while enjoying nourishing light refreshments provided by Kitchenwitch, and engaged in meaningful conversation with fellow artists, supporters, and community leaders. The Annual Meeting also included the election of new Board members and the welcoming of returning members, whose leadership and dedication continue to guide the organization forward. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to a memorable and inspiring evening. Together, we look ahead with renewed energy as we continue to champion the arts as a vital force for wellness, creativity, and community. 2025 Monmouth Arts Recap Featured Guest Speaker Dr. Micah Hillis, DSW, LCSW is the Director of the Brandt Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Retreat at Rutgers University Behavioral HealthCare. He has extensive experience providing treatment and managing programs that focus on mental health and substance use in various treatment settings including, inpatient, outpatient, community outreach, peer support, and case management services in the community as well as in incarcerated settings. The focus of these programs has been to provide services to at-risk populations including adults, adolescents, children, incarcerated persons, the chronically homeless, veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and substance use. Currently, Dr. Hillis is overseeing the program development and daily operations at the Brandt Center which provides a retreat setting for out of home treatment, as well as outpatient and intensive outpatient levels of care. Previously, he was focused on services addressing the ongoing opioid/fentanyl epidemic in New Jersey through multiple partnered programs with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Department of Corrections (NJDOC), and Parole Board (NJSPB). Additionally, Dr. Hillis is a part-time lecturer for the Rutgers University School of Social Work and part-time faculty member at Boston University’s School of Social Work. Featured Performer Jamie Coppa is a singer/songwriter and musician residing at the Jersey Shore. Her music is a reflection of her life experience and soulful outlook and perspective with influences in pop, r&b, meditation and chant, and spiritual hymns. In addition to performing, Jamie offers holographic sound baths in the greater NYC area and owns and operates The Well community center in Belmar, NJ. She shares her passion and love for humanity through various projects and small business ventures that aim to positively impact the lives of others.

The Artist Registry showcases Monmouth Arts artist members and serves as a resource for those looking for artists. Check out our members with a focus on photography. ARTIST REGISTRY PHOTOGRAPHY Marilyn Baldi Photography www.imagerybymarilyn.com mmbrc8@verizon.net Peter Dant Photography www.peterdantphotography.com pd@peterdantphotography.com 732-670-9425 Sharon Devereaux Photography www.DevereauxVisualArt.com dev40@aol.com Instagram/Facebook: @SharonMurphyDevereaux 847-571-4628 Susan G. Hammond Photography www.susanghammond.com Sgh35mm@comcast.net Robert & Elisabeth McKay Photography www.mckayimaging.com info@mckayimaging.com 732-842-2272 Regina Molaro Photography reginamolaro9.com Portfolio: clippings.me/reginamolaro ReginaMolaroFreelance@gmail.com Instagram: @glamorousvagabonds Jeff Ricci Photography Jrjams2823@aol.com Barbara Withers Photography www.photosbybarbara.com baw.withers@gmail.com Joan Bruno Photography www.theliterarylens.com theliterarylens@gmail.com 732-737-4398 Ryan DeAngelo Photography Ryecaraway.com ryecarawayy@gmail.com Instagram: @ryecaraway 732-939-2280 Mattie Egerter Wildlife Photography www.maegerter.com maegerter1@gmail.com Instagram: @_m.e._photography_ Richard Huff Photography www.richardmhuff.com Facebook : RichardMHuff Instagram : @richmhuff Richardmhuff@gmail.com Ellen Martin Photography www.ellenmartin.com EMartin206@aol.com Instagram: @ellen_martin_artist Joan B. Myers Photography www.joanbmyersphotography.com jm.myjoan@gmail.com Ellen Rubinstein Photography www.facebook.com/EllenRubinsteinNaturePhotography erubinstein10@gmail.com 732-241-3519 Patricia Hart Zackman Photography www.digitalphz.com digitalphz@yahoo.com Instagram : @digitalphz Twitter : @digitalphz Aidan Cahill Photography www.aidancahillphotography.com Instagram: @aidan_cahill_photo Ben De Marco Photography bendemarcophotography.youpic.com brickphoto_2000@yahoo.com Instagram: @bendemarco3794 Facebook: @ Ben De Marco Ralph Goldman Photography www.raphaelgoldphotos.com raphaelgoldphotos@gmail.com 908-770-9640 Bart Lentini Photography www.bartlentini.com Facebook : /Bart Lentini Photography Instagram : @bartlentini Michael Miller Photography www.visionsworkshops.net info@visionsworkshops.net Gabrielle Preziose Photography www.gabriellepreziose.com Instagram: @gabrielle.preziose gabriellepreziosephoto@gmail.com Douglas Smith Photography www.dugsmith.zenfolio.com eyemsmith52@gmail.com Instagram: @shadowcatcher_d_smith Facebook: ShadowCatcher D Smith

Signs of Hope is a comprehensive youth arts program in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County. The program includes visual and performing arts instruction, activities, and projects, with family events that celebrate the students' successes. SIGNS OF HOPE Signs of Hope is a comprehensive youth arts program in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County and the YMCA of Freehold Borough. The program includes visual and performing arts instruction, activities, and projects, with family events that celebrate the students' successes. A primary component of the program is the actual "Signs of Hope," where students are given the opportunity to design and create street signs with positive messages for their community. The program started in the spring of 2018 at the Boys & Girls Club's Asbury Park location, with generous support from the Mary Owen Borden Foundation. After the program’s initial success, additional funding from the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, the Provident Bank Foundation, First Energy, Investors Bank, and Whole Foods helped expand Signs of Hope to the Boys & Girls Club in Red Bank and the Freehold Borough YMCA. For Summer 2021, the Signs of Hope program has gone virtual! As part of the virtual program, we created packets of summer arts activities for the students. The packets (inspired by those created by the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers) include activities from the Zimmerli as well as some of our local community arts partners, such as Wooden Walls and Two River Theater. Click on the packet cover to download a copy! Monmouth Arts | Signs of Hope with the Boys & Girls Club of Red Bank Take a look at some of the exciting things happening with the Monmouth Arts Signs of Hope program! The students of the Boys & Girls Club of Red Bank created these signs to express the positive messages they'd like to see in their community. Video Credit: Bart Lentini Photo Albums Boys & Girls Club of Asbury Park Boys & Girls Club of Red Bank Freehold Borough YMCA

View the art work from our digital gallery: Sanctuary. MEMBER EXHIBITS: DIGITAL GALLERY In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and in an effort to provide a safe contactless experience , we invite the arts community to view work at our all-new Digital Gallery! SANCTUARY [click image to expand] Francesca Azzara Reading the Tea Leaves Paper, encaustic, and oil stick on panel 16"W x 16"H $550 Maria Chamra This Land Was Made for You and Me Acrylic on canvas 5"W x 3"H Not for Sale Eric Chappell Mr Rogers Oil 16"W x 20"H $300 Carol Colvin Calm and Balanced Ink, watercolor, and pastel 11"W x 15"H $200 Peter Dant Cedar Street Tree Photography 22"W x 12"H $195 Diane Del Prete Daddy & Liam India Ink 10"W x 8"H Not for Sale Dawn DiCicco Soul Searching Mixed media 24"W x 36"H $1200 Jodi DiLiberto Recital at the Lair of the Dragon Digital fractal 20"W x 20"H $240 James Donovan Transcending the Terrestrial Oil on canvas 20”W x 16”H $425 Jane Gavaghen Pandemic Moon Oil 9"W x 12"H SOLD Lily Gilston present Cotton, thread, twine, metal wire, acrylic, and branch 43"W x 83"H Not for Sale Margaret Goddard Dreaming in the Dark Ink, watercolor, photograph, and newspaper 15"W x 12"H $100 Gwynneth Green Safe Space Photography 19"W X 15"H $70 Art Society of Keyport - Peter Dant Keyport Community Labyrinth 1 Photography 15"W x 12"H $50 (donation to the Art Society) Art Society of Keyport - Peter Dant Keyport Community Labyrinth 2 Photography 15"W x 12"H $50 (donation to the Art Society) Art Society of Keyport - Peter Dant Keyport Community Labyrinth 3 Photography 15"W x 12"H $50 (donation to the Art Society) Aprajita Lal A Boat at Lake Cuomo Watercolor on paper 11"W x 14"H $580 Amy Lepping Submerge Oil 24"W x 24"H $425 Colleen Lineberry Meditation Oil and cold wax on cradled wood 24"W x 30"H $1200 Monica Loncola April Light Oil on canvas 24"W x 30"H $4000 Thomas Lynch The Creative Mind of TL Marker 12"W x 12"H Not for Sale Marie Maber Circuitous Route Acrylic 48"W x 48"H $750 Carol Magnatta Sitting on the Dock Oil 16"W x 18"H SOLD Laura Mandile Bird Watching, Pier Village Oil on canvas 24"W x 18"H $650 Patricia Meko There's Always Love Oil on canvas 30"W x 30"H $1600