By Delaney Crawford
When one door closes, another opens…
After the recent closure of Makt Arts Studio, a beloved creative hub, the space is set to come alive again with the arrival of Coastal Collective Arts.
This new venture, operated by longtime locals and friends Marie Hornberger and Danette Gotta, will open its doors the first week of May — just in time for Mother’s Day shopping, spring weather, and the promise of a great summer ahead.
The duo hopes to bring fresh artistic energy to the community while honoring the creative spirit that came before them. More than just a gallery, Coastal Collective Arts aims to be a space where local artists can not only showcase their work but also collaborate, connect, and inspire one another.
“We just liked the idea of having a local arts place,” Hornberger said. “An outlet where local artists can proudly showcase their work.”
After Makt Arts closed, there weren’t many places left for local artists to be featured, so Hornberger and Gotta are dedicated to creating a space that fosters collaboration, community and creativity. For them, it’s not just about the art. It’s about the community all around us.
The pair hopes to offer workshops, fun events, and exciting collaborations once the shop is up and running. Their vision is to bring people together, highlight local art, and give everyone a piece of South Jersey to take home.
“It will be very unique to the island,” Gotta said. “There’s really no place like this. It’s an art consignment shop, a gift shop, and a custom printing — all with that small-town feel.”
Of course, any good art shop will feature beautiful, locally made pieces, and Coastal Collective Arts is no exception. The shop will showcase a variety of products, from framed oil paintings and photography to mosaics, stained glass, handmade soaps, candles, and jewelry crafted by local artisans. A retail section will also offer items like mugs, T-shirts and keepsakes — perfect for visitors looking to take a piece of the shore home with them.
“We’re excited for people to come in and know that nothing is mass-produced,” Hornberger said. “Everything is one-of-a-kind, whether it’s sea glass jewelry or handcrafted pottery — it’s all homemade.”
Hornberger and Gotta saw an opportunity to keep local art alive in a beloved space and jumped at the chance to help the entire community benefit. Their partnership works well — Hornberger focuses on the business side, while Gotta brings the creative vision.
“I am not an artist at all,” Hornberger admitted. “For 30 years, I’ve been a bookkeeper and office manager, so I know what needs to be done to get this up and running. I handle the business, while Danette has the artistic eye.”
Gotta, a retired nurse, has always been drawn to the arts as a personal passion. Whether making handmade paper or pottery, creativity has been a lifelong comfort for her, and now she has the chance to immerse herself in it fully.
“An opportunity presented itself, and I think we were in the right place at the right time,” Gotta said. “We both loved the concept of what the previous owner did, and we wanted to carry it on since there’s nothing else like it around.”
The shop’s consignment model is something both owners feel strongly about.
“The fact that this shop supports other artists makes it special,” Gotta said. “Consignment is a big part of what we do. We want to make sure local artists have a place to showcase their work; that’s why we’re here.”
In addition to working with local artists, the pair hopes to collaborate with arts organizations and other creatives in the community. They’re excited to build connections and become an integral part of South Jersey’s artistic landscape.
So far, the support from the community has been overwhelming.
“We’ve received such a warm welcome from people who hear we’re taking this over,” Gotta said. “They’re excited that there will still be a venue for art. People have even offered to help us set up — the generosity has been incredible.”
With their passion, vision, and deep community ties, Hornberger and Gotta are poised to make Coastal Collective Arts a thriving creative space — one that celebrates local talent and keeps the arts alive in Ventnor for years to come.
As Coastal Collective Arts prepares to open its doors, Hornberger and Gotta are eager to welcome the community into a space filled with creativity, connection and local pride. Whether you’re an artist looking for a place to showcase your work, a shopper searching for a unique handmade gift, or someone who simply appreciates the arts, Coastal Collective Arts promises to be a hub of inspiration. With their shared passion and dedication, the duo is turning a once-empty space into a thriving center for artistic expression — proving that when one chapter ends, another beautiful one begins.
Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. After earning a BA in Communications, Delaney built a successful career in the newspaper industry, honing skills in, news writing, media, and content creation. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DC’s Social Media & Content Creation, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.
