By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
If you attended the Margate Fall FunFest this past Saturday, you may have come across a very unique vendor stand. Art teacher and artist Jordan Caplan stood behind her table beneath her pop-up tent, selling local paint-by-number kits.
From Lucy the Elephant to the Longport smile water tower to the Ventnor Fishing Pier, Downbeach-themed kits were selling out during the festival. Grandparents were picking them up for their grandkids, a group of women purchased them in bulk for wine and paint night, and parents planned to send their college student a kit as a part of a care package as a cure for homesickness.
“On the first day of the festival, we completely ran out of the Lucy kits,” said Caplan. “My boyfriend and I had to rush him to print more for the second day.”
Caplan says she has always been drawn to art (pun intended), and thanks her parents for always gifting her craft kits and art supplies. She leaned into sketching and painting as she grew older, and attended Stockton University to pursue a degree in art education. The Pottstown native moved to Ocean City after graduation and currently resides in Linwood.
“During the pandemic, I wanted to engage kids in art, even if we couldn’t meet in person,” said Caplan. “I painted lifeguard stands on a mask and posted the image on the OC Chatter page on Facebook. I was immediately flooded with people asking to purchase them, so I decided to start an Etsy page and pursue art as a side hustle.”
As the pandemic ends and masks become more obsolete, Caplan was challenged to create something new and unique. Originally, she hoped to create a coloring book using digital art platforms, but felt overwhelmed by the publication process. In conversation with her boyfriend, the artist settled on creating Down the Shore paint-by-number kits.
Since she grew up vacationing in Ocean City, Caplan feels most comfortable and excited about creating OC-themed crafts. “I have designs of the Music Pier, the boardwalk, a sunrise on the beach, Kohr Brothers’ cones, and the amusement piers as well as her iconic lifeguard stands.
As for the future, Caplan hopes to expand her art by creating paint-by-numbers of more beach towns like Wildwood and Cape May. She also hopes to rent space in Staintons’ or West End Garage so potential buyers can find her pieces more easily. Caplan will be selling her prints and kits at the Ocean City Fall Block Party, Ocean City WinterFest, and in the warmer months, the Ocean City Farm Market.
“I am so thankful for the support of the community, and the fact that everyone loves both our beach towns and doing art,” said Caplan. “I am excited for the future and making meaningful pieces for everyone to enjoy.”
If you are interested in Caplan’s work and her paint-by-number kits, check out her new website at https://www.jcaplanart.com/#/.
Sarah Fertsch was born and raised in Egg Harbor Township, and holds a dual degree in public relations and political science. Prior to joining Shore Local full-time, she worked at a CSPAN affiliate, writing about Pennsylvania legislation. When she isn’t writing, Sarah enjoys painting, horseback riding, and Crossfit.
