CAPE MAY – The Cape May County Art League spring membership drive is on and new members are invited to join this group of artists and supporters of the arts in 2017-18.
The Cape May County Art League is the oldest county art league in the nation. A not-for-profit organization, it was formed in 1929 by Samuel Fleisher and Frederic Nunn, and has continued to this day as a means of encouraging artists and art forms in the community of Cape May County.
Member artists include watercolorists, oil painters, sculptors, jewelry makers, photographers, designers, multi-media artists, stained glass artists, artists working in traditional art forms like Pysanka, and more, along with supporters of the arts who want to do their part to help arts thrive in Cape May County. Members hail from Pennsylvania, New York and the Cape May County region.
Benefits of membership include regular email newsletters that contain local and regional artist opportunities, exclusive member discounts and invitations to Art League shows and social events. Joining the Art League is a great way to get to know fellow artists.
The Art League is an all-volunteer organization led by volunteer Board members. Operating throughout the community, the League mounts art shows and other events especially for artists, including paint-outs, juried- and non-juried shows and social events.
Upcoming events in 2017 include:
• Exit Zero Cookhouse Fundraiser to raise funds for the Art League Scholarship Fund – Thursday, April 27, 6 to 9 p.m. Deadline to RSVP is April 24.
• PAFA (Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts) Master Class with Joseph Sweeney in Cape May – Thursday, May 18 to Sunday, May 21 with exclusive discount for members.
• Wilbraham Park Arts & Crafts Show in West Cape May – Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 (Rain date: Aug. 20, 2017).
• Annual Members Fine Arts Show at Rotary Park in Cape May – Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 (Rain date: Sept. 24, 2017).
Additional events are in the planning stages for 2018.
An important component of the League is its scholarship program for students who live or attend school in Cape May County who wish to study art at the college level. In 2016, four scholarships were granted of $1,100 each to: Ana Grace Fangayen, Cape May Court House; Jacob Harkin, Cape May; Megan Smock, Seaville; and Erin Stremme, Seaville.
Membership runs from Jan. 1 through April 30 of the following year. Individual memberships are $35, with additional member categories for students ($15), couples or families ($50), businesses ($100), sponsors ($500) and patrons ($1,000).
Sponsors and patrons receive special acknowledgements for their very important role helping the arts thrive in Cape May County.
A membership application form can be completed online. To learn more visit www.capemaycountyartleague.org and click on Membership, or email the Cape May County Art League at capemaycountyartleague@comcast.net.