Island Heights & Beyond

Island Heights Beyond

&

TH E ART I ST S CO LO NY

Featuring Early 20th century Artists at Home on the Jersey Shore MAY 18 – AUG UST 2 5 2 0 1 3

ELIZA DRAKE AUTH • JOHN BENDEL FRANKLIN DULLES BRISCOE • JAMES MOORE BRYANT CARL BUERGERNISS • JANE R. CROW EDNA FEERICK • BESSIE PEASE GUTMANN GERARD R. HARDENBURG • ANNE HRUZA WILLIAM MCDOUGAL • FRANK PARISI • EMILY PERKINS VIRGINIA PERLE JOHN FREDERICK PETO • JESSE POMEROY KAREN POMEROY • ELLIE ROGALSKI JACK SHANNON • ORM SIMPSON C.S. STREET • WILLIAM FRAZEE STRUNZ • JANO TABER WARREN THOMAS • ROBERT TOTH FRED WAGNER • JEAN CARRUTHERS WETTA RODDY WILDEMAN • ANNIE WOOLCOTT Cover Painting, “Island Heights Swamp”, Carl Buergerniss

THE JOHN F. PETO STUDIO MUSEUM The John F. Peto Studio Museum is located in the home and studio of the noted American still-life painter, John F. Peto (1854-1907). Born in Philadelphia, Peto studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where his early work was influenced by the Philadelphia tradition of still-life painting featuring tabletop arrangements of commonplace objects. Often painted in trompe l’oeil style, Peto’s work underwent a gradual change toward the late 1890’s becoming more somber, more personalized with veiled references to ideas and facts, and more abstract. In his compositions, his work is a harbinger of the Cubist and abstract works to come. Today, John F. Peto is recognized as one of America’s most important still-life painters.

By the late 1880’s, Peto settled in Island Heights with his wife, Helen, where he played the cornet for Methodist Camp meetings. He designed and built his rustic Victorian Shingle Style house in 1889 where his family lived until the death of his granddaughter in 2002. The house went on the market and was purchased by a local philanthropist who chose to restore the house back to the turn of the century when Peto first built it and lived there. Historic research was used to determine the original sections of the building as well as the first paint colors used on the interior and exterior.

Using photographs from the turn of the century—many of them taken by Peto himself—museum volunteers were able to recreate room arrangements that show how the Peto family lived. Today you can see original furnishings—some of them passed down through the family from their days in Philadelphia—used in their home for more than a hundred years. Artifacts collected by Peto often sit alongside his paintings of them, truly bringing him and his work to life.

Attracted by the natural beauty of the area, artists have been an integral part of the Island Heights community since its founding as a Methodist camp meeting and summer resort in 1878. Island Heights & Beyond the Artists Colony explores the work of artists working in Island Heights from the late 19th century to the present day. Works by contemporary artists working in nearby shore communities extend the boundaries of the exhibition.

I would like to thank the members of our Arts Committee for planning, organizing, and installing the show. I would especially like to recognize and congratulate our Arts Committee Chair Alice Askoff, Don Roberts, and Joe Eichinger for their dedication and hard work on the exhibition and catalog.

Barbara C. Rivolta President

ISLAND HEIGHTS & BEYOND: THE ARTISTS COLONY

is a multi-media exhibit focusing on the idea of Island Heights and the surrounding New Jersey coastal area as a retreat and draw for artists. The exhibition covers three periods, starting with the late 19th century, when John F. Peto first came to this river-flanked island, to the present day, where we see local artists’ responses to the physical and emotional devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

The Early Years The Original Artist’s Colony

The Middle Years Legacy Artists

The New Millennium The Artist’s Response

Features Peto and other artists who came at the turn of the last century to fish, hunt, sail and paint. Many were from the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Fine renderings and impressionist landscapes are shown side-by-side in this portion of the exhibit.

Represents a time when the area was seeing more full-time residents. A group of local women, led by Edna Feerick in 1957, created the Ocean County Artist’s Guild to share their love of art and have a place to create it. This portion of the exhibit showcases many originals from that time, including Orm Simpson’s primitive paintings of local landmarks, some now gone.

Explores modern-day artists’ complex responses to changes in the world surrounding Island Heights. A mixture of beautiful and disturbing images will challenge the viewer to see the effects of Superstorm Sandy through local contemporary artists’ eyes.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This exhibition was made possible through the generosity and expertise of many people. I would like to acknowledge and thank all of the artists and owners of the art work in the exhibit including: Eliza Auth, John Bendel, Harry Bower, Jane R. Crow, Joe Eichinger, Anne Hruza, Island Heights Boro, Island Heights Library, Island Heights United Methodist Church, Joyce Kaizar, Laura McGuigan, Newman Galleries of Philadelphia, Ocean County Historical Society, Frank Parisi of Frank Parisi Photography, Lynn Duckworth Pendleton, Virgina Perle of Virginia Perle Art Gallery, Jesse Pomeroy, Karen Pomeroy, Sarah Punderson, Ellie Rogalski, Eleanor Roth, Sandra Snow, Eric Weber, Jean Carruthers Wetta, Karen and Peter Bryant Kier and Roddy Wildeman of Torche Galerie of Belmar.

I would also like to thank Joe Eichinger for help with photography, Joyce Kaizar and Colleen Kehler for Wednesday morning help, Sarah Punderson for her research and for the reception for the “Friends” of the Museum. Harry Bower, Robert MacNeal, Phil Gauntt and Ben & Elena DeFonzo provided invaluable help with installation.

And a special thank you to my Co-Curator Don Roberts for sharing in the original conception of this exhibition and for the coordination and logistics inherent in it’s development and installation.

Alice Askoff Vice President Curator of the Exhibition

The Early Years The Original Artist’s Colony

PETO

Bananas John Frederick Peto Island Heights, c.1905 Oil on board, 6x9

Books on a Shelf John Frederick Peto Island Heights, 1905 Plaster block

Pipe & Tea Canister

John Frederick Peto Island Heights, c.1890 Oil on canvas, 10x14

WOOLCOTT

Lilacs Annie Woolcott Toms River, c.1880 Oil on canvas

GUTMANN

The Butterfly

The Christmas Wreath

A Chip of the Old Block

Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights, 1912 Print, 14x10

Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights, 1915 Illustration, 17x14

Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights, 1923 Print, 14x10

MC DOUGAL

The Cottage William McDougal Island Heights, 1913 Watercolor, 14x17

BUERGERNISS

Sylvia

Sketch of Sylvia

Dillon’s Creek

Carl Buergerniss Island Heights, 1909 Oil on canvas, 14x10

Carl Buergerniss Island Heights, 1909 Charcoal, 6x8

Carl Buergerniss Island Heights, 1909 Oil on canvas, 18x22

HARDENBURG

Plate #1 Ruffled Grouse

Woodcocks

Gerard R. Hardenburg Bay Head, 1899 China plate

Gerard R. Hardenburg Bay Head, 1899 Oil on canvas, 24x20

STRUNZ

Dogs William Frazee Strunz Toms River, 1887 Watercolor, 18x14

The Middle Years Legacy Artists

FISHBERG

Ocean County Artists Guild Ethel Fishberg Island Heights, 1983 Watercolor, 17x22

FEERICK

Island Heights Edna Feerick Island Heights,, c.1960 Watercolor, 21x25

TABER

Down Bay Jano Taber Island Heights, c.1970 Oil on canvas, 18x22

CROW

First Mate Jane R. Crow Island Heights, c.1960 Oil on canvas, 22x31

SIMPSON

Winter’s Haven Orm Simpson Island Heights, c.1970 Watercolor, 12x16

TOTH

Vista #10 Under the Boardwalk Fantasy

Vista #1 Exploring the Truth

Robert Toth Island Heights, 1990 Acrylic, 20x24

Robert Toth Island Heights, 1982 Acrylic, 20x24

The New Millennium The Artist’s Response

AUTH

Osprey’s Nest on Barnegat Bay Eliza Drake Auth Ocean Gate, 2006 Oil on canvas, 20x24

WILDEMAN

Hurricane Sandy Roddy Wildeman Belmar, 2013 Rescued Debris on plywood, 47x59

PERLE

Flying High Virginia Perle Toms River, 2012 Oil on canvas, 22x24

POMEROY

Mermaid

Casino Pier

Karen Pomeroy Island Heights Watercolor

Jesse Pomeroy Island Heights, 2011 Photograph, 24x36

WETTA

Random Catch

Rachel

Jean Carruthers Wetta Island Heights 2002 Oil on wood panel. 40x48

Jean Carruthers Wetta Island Heights 2002 Oil on board 10x10

BENDEL

July 30th John Bendel Island Heights, 2010 Digital giclĂŠe print, 11x14

ROGALSKI

Watery Grave Ellie Rogalski Island Heights, 2013 Photograph, 11x14

PARISI

Funtown Pier, Seaside, NJ Frank Parisi Island Heights, 2013 Photograph, 10x8

EXHIBITION CHECKLIST ARTIST ARTIST’S LOCALE TITLE DATE MEDIA SIZE Eliza Drake Auth Ocean Gate Osprey’s Nest on Barnegat Bay 2006 Oil on canvas, 20x24 Eliza Drake Auth Ocean Gate Light on Toms River, 2003 Oil on canvas 20x24 John Bendel Island Heights Harjes View 2010 Digital gicleé print 11x14 John Bendel Island Heights July 30th 2010 Digital gicleé print 11x14 John Bendel Island Heights Tomorrow Clear and Cold 2006 Digital gicleé print 11x14 John Bendel Island Heights Spring House 2007 Digital gicleé print 11x14 Franklin Dulles Briscoe Gulls Above a Stormy Sea 1893 Gouche on paper 7x10 James Moore Bryant Island Heights Rounding the Bar 1890 Oil on canvas 4x6 Carl Buergerniss Island Heights Island Heights Swamp c.1900 Oil on canvas 15x19 Carl Buergerniss Island Heights Dillon’s Creek 1909 Oil on canvas 18x22 Carl Buergerniss Island Heights Sketch of Sylvia 1909 Charcoal 6x8 Carl Buergerniss Island Heights Sylvia 1909 Oil on canvas 14x10 Carl Buergerniss Island Heights Cornstalks c.1900 Oil on canvas 10x14 Jane R. Crow Island Heights IHYC Race Committee c.1960 Watercolor 18x24 Jane R. Crow Island Heights First Mate c.1960 Oil on canvas 22x31 Edna Feerick Island Heights Island Heights c.1960 Watercolor 21x25 Edna Feerick Island Heights Untitled c. 1960 Watercolor 12x18 Ethel Fishberg Island Heights Ocean County Artists Guild 1983 Watercolor 17x22 Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights The Christmas Wreath 1915 Illustration 17x14 Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights A Double Blessing 1915 Print 14x9 Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights The Butterfly 1912 Print 14x10 Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights The Winged Aureole 1921 Print 14x10 Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights Message of the Roses 1915 Print 18x14 Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights Awakening 1918 Print 14x18 Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights Chums 1918 Print 12x9 Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights A Chip of The Old Block 1923 Print 14x10 Gerard R. Hardenburg Bay Head Woodcocks 1899 Oil on canvas 24x20 Gerard R. Hardenburg Bay Head Plate #1 Ruffled Grouse 1899 China plate Gerard R. Hardenburg Bay Head Plate #2 Red heads 1899 China plate Gerard R. Hardenburg Bay Head Plate #3 Snipes 1899 China plate Anne Hruza Point Pleasant Superstorm Sandy 2012 Mixed Media 22x28 William McDougal Island Heights The Cottage 1913 Watercolor 14x17 William McDougal Island Heights Island Heights 1895 Watercolor 14x18 Frank Parisi Island Heights Funtown Pier, Seaside NJ 2013 Photograph 10x8 Frank Parisi Island Heights Nelson’s Marina, Oct. 30th 2012 Photograph 10x8 Frank Parisi Island Heights Island Heights Yacht Club, Oct. 30th 2012 Photograph 10x8 Frank Parisi Island Heights West End & Lake Aves., Oct. 30th 2012 Photograph 10x8

The Early Years The Original Artist’s Colony

ARTIST

The Middle Years Legacy Artists

The New Millennium The Artist’s Response

ARTIST’S LOCALE TITLE DATE MEDIA SIZE

Emily Perkins Island Heights Brick Pillars/Helen on Swing/Helen on Chair 1903 Oil on board 4x6, 6x4,6x4 Emily Perkins Island Heights Christine Peto 1905 Oil on board 9x6 Emily Perkins Island Heights John Frederick Peto 1905 Oil on board 9x6 Virginia Perle Toms River Flying High 2012 Oil on canvas 22x24 John Frederick Peto Island Heights Books on a Shelf 1905 Plaster block John Frederick Peto Island Heights Bananas c.1905 Oil on board 6x9 John Frederick Peto Island Heights Candle, Creamer & Brass c.1890 Oil on canvas 10x15 John Frederick Peto Island Heights Pipe & Tea Canister c.1890 Oil on canvas 10x14 John Frederick Peto Island Heights Peanuts c.1900 Oil on board 7x9 John Frederick Peto Island Heights Brass & Tin c.1890 Oil on canvas 10x14 John Frederick Peto Island Heights Nocturne c.1900 Oil on board 10x14 Jesse Pomeroy Island Heights Casino Pier 2011 Photograph 24x36 Karen Pomeroy Island Heights Mermaid Watercolor Ellie Rogalski Island Heights Watery Grave 2013 Photograph 11x14 Ellie Rogalski Island Heights Someone’s Everything 2013 Photograph 11x14 Ellie Rogalski Island Heights Over Sized Load 2013 Photograph 14x11 Ellie Rogalski Island Heights Spun out of Control 2013 Photograph 8x10 Jack Shannon Island Heights Swimmers at Cedar Creek c.1970 Oil on canvas 24x36 Orm Simpson Island Heights The Methodist Church c.1960 Watercolor 14x22 Orm Simpson Island Heights Edgewater Hotel c.1970 Watercolor Orm Simpson Island Heights Winter’s Haven c.1970 Watercolor 12x16 C.S. Street Toms River Island Heights Bluff 1905 Watercolor 18x24 C.S. Street Toms River Drawbridge on Barnegat Bay 1905 Watercolor 18x24 William Frazee Strunz Toms River Dogs 1887 Watercolor 18x14 Jano Taber Island Heights Down Bay c.1970 Oil on canvas 18x22 Warren Thomas Pine Beach Pound Boats, Berkeley Fisheries, Seaside Park 1981 Watercolor 20x24 Robert Toth Island Heights Vista #1 Exploring the Truth 1982 Acrylic 20x24 Robert Toth Island Heights Vista #10 Under the Boardwalk Fantasy 1990 Acrylic 20x24 Robert Toth Island Heights His House c.1980 Watercolor 11x13 Fred Wagner Island Heights Seaside Park 1905 Oil on canvas 22x24 Fred Wagner Island Heights Holly Lake at Toms River 1907 Pastel 11x17 Jean Carruthers Wetta Island Heights Dusk on Central Ave. 2006 Oil on paper 5x5 Jean Carruthers Wetta Island Heights Rachel 2012 Oil on board 10x10 Jean Carruthers Wetta Island Heights Fall in Island Heights 2011 Oil on wood panel 8x8x2 Jean Carruthers Wetta Island Heights Peto House 2011 Oil on board 10x10 Jean Carruthers Wetta Island Heights Random Catch 2002 Oil on wood panel 40x48 Roddy Wildeman Belmar Hurricane Sandy 2013 Rescued Debris on plywood 47x59 Annie Woolcott Toms River Lilacs c.1880 Oil on canvas

HRUZA

Superstorm Sandy Anne Hruza Point Pleasant, 2012 Mixed Media, 22x28

THIS SHOW WAS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS:

www.co.ocean.nj.us/tourism

JOHN F. PETO

STUDIO MUSEUM

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