Views from the Shore
Art in the Park has become one of Somers Point’s signature community events, bringing together artists, live music, food trucks, children’s activities, and hundreds of visitors for a day celebrating creativity at Kennedy Park. This year, when you stop by on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., be sure to visit Shore Physicians Group’s Growing Through Art exhibit, where you’ll find hands-on activities designed to show how creativity can also support emotional well-being.
When I spoke with Dr. Jacqueline Rounds and licensed clinical social worker Darby Fitzpatrick of Shore Physicians Group’s Primary Care office in Margate, it was clear this isn’t simply another festival display. It’s an opportunity for people of all ages to slow down, connect with one another, and experience the healing power of art.
Last year, the team introduced an interactive exhibit centered on healing through art, and the response exceeded expectations. “We almost ran out of materials,” Dr. Rounds told me, recalling the steady stream of families, children, and community members who stopped by throughout the day.
Rather than simply viewing artwork, visitors are invited to become part of it through four interactive activities that encourage creativity, mindfulness, and connection.
Participants can paint a terracotta flower pot and take home a packet of seeds as a reminder that growth often begins with small steps. A collaborative fingerprint tree will allow everyone to contribute to a community art piece celebrating resilience and the importance of supporting one another. Another activity invites visitors to write down a fear, worry, or burden they’re ready to let go of before attaching it to a symbolic tree, while a fourth encourages participants to create a dried-flower bouquet representing the people, experiences, and personal strengths that help them grow.
Many of the activities are inspired by creative exercises Fitzpatrick incorporates into counseling sessions with patients. “I use creative expression throughout my sessions because art can help people process emotions in ways that words sometimes can’t,” she explained. “It’s another way for people to explore healing.”
For Dr. Rounds, the exhibit reflects the philosophy behind whole-person healthcare. “As an osteopathic physician, we’re taught that true health involves caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person’s well-being,” she said. “Mental health is an important part of that balance.”
One of the things that stood out most after last year’s event wasn’t just the turnout, it was watching strangers become friends while creating art together, families sharing an activity, and children eagerly embracing each project.
“It was just heartwarming to see people connecting with one another outside of a clinical setting,” Dr. Rounds said.
In addition to the interactive activities, Shore Physicians Group will once again display artwork created by behavioral health patients and community members who choose to share pieces reflecting their own healing journeys.
Events like Art in the Park remind us that good health isn’t measured only in doctor’s visits or medical tests. It’s also found in creativity, conversation, community, and taking time to reconnect with ourselves and those around us. While you’re there, enjoy the many artists, food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities that make Art in the Park a favorite annual tradition in Somers Point. Learn more about the festival at artintheparksomerspt.weebly.com.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He also volunteers on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association, the Somers Point Economic Advisory Commission, and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
