Family Tides
If you’re looking to keep your young artist’s creative spark alive this summer, there are plenty of events happening for little art lovers across Cape May and Atlantic counties. Whether they love painting, watching live theater, or diving into hands-on crafts, these activities are sure to inspire.
Get creative in Wildwood’s parks
Wildwood’s free Arts in the Parks program invites families to get creative through hands-on workshops such as nature crafts and painting at neighborhood parks. Events are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. through Aug. 28 (except for Aug. 5, which is National Night Out). Locations rotate between Scotty’s Park (New Jersey and Magnolia avenues), Jack Morey’s SOLCOW Park (New York and West Poplar avenues) and Holly Beach Park (123 E. Andrews Ave.). For more information, visit wildwoodsnj.com.
Take in some children’s theater
Introduce your youngest art lovers to the magic of live performance at two local stages this summer.
At Stockton University, the Performing Arts Center’s Children’s Summer Playhouse will present “Snow White” on July 16, “Little Red Riding Hood” on July 23 and “Pinocchio” on July 30. All shows begin at 11 a.m. and tickets are $15. Crafts for children will be available in the lobby starting at 10 a.m. For more information, visit stockton.edu/pac.
In Ocean City, the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) will present a lineup of beloved stories, including “Pinkalicious: The Musical” on July 15, “Pete the Cat!” on July 22 and “A Year with Frog and Toad” on July 29. All shows begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $11 in advance and $13 the day of the show.
The season wraps up with “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition,” featuring OCTC’s Middle School Company, on Aug. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $15. Visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com for more information.
Join an art show
Dunes Art Gallery in Brigantine will host its first kids’ art show Aug. 9 from 12 to 3 p.m. The event offers young artists a chance to showcase their work and gives kids an opportunity to be inspired by their peers. All ages up to 14 are encouraged to submit, but the gallery asks that each participant only show up to two pieces. All mediums and styles are welcome. Snacks and beverages will be available for both kids and adults. This is a pop-up exhibit, and artwork must be taken home by the buyer or artist immediately after the event. To register a child to participate, email dunesartgallery@gmail.com. For more information, visit dunesartgallery.com.
Let young artists hone their skills
In Cape May, The Nature of Art – Children’s Art Class invites young artists ages 9 to 12 to explore the connection between art and nature through a variety of themes and mediums. The weekly class is held Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and is led by local artist Peaches Lukens, with each session featuring a different theme.
On July 16, the class will explore the theme “Enchanted Gardens” using acrylics, and “Survivor” using watercolors on July 23. “Nature’s Symphony” is the focus on July 30 using colored pencils, and “Stones and Bones,” using tissue paper and polymer, rounds out the series on Aug. 6.
Classes are $20 per person. Participants should arrive five to 10 minutes early at the Nature Center of Cape May’s Trucksess Welcome Center, 1600 Delaware Ave. To register or for more information, visit njaudubon.org.
Get crafty at the library
Tweens and teens ages 11 to 18 can get crafty every Tuesday at 1 p.m. during Creative Hour at the Cape May County Library’s Cape May Court House branch. Upcoming projects include DIY dyed slime on July 15, marbled paper on July 22 and watercolor leaf rubbing on July 29.
The ArtQuest event at the Stone Harbor branch for kids ages 5 and older highlights a different famous artist each session and offers a project in that artist’s style. On July 14 from 3 to 4 p.m., the event will focus on Andy Warhol. Participants will create Warhol-inspired pop art by foam block printing their own designs on paper. On July 28, ArtQuest will focus on Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and let kids try their hand at polka-dot pumpkins, based on her installation “All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins,” using paper, paint and markers.
The Wildwood Crest branch also hosts a Tween Creative Hour. On July 21 at 5 p.m., the project is neon pop tab bracelets. The Aug. 18 session will feature rock painting. For more details and other events, visit cmclibrary.org.
For Atlantic County Library System patrons, the library’s art-centric summer reading program, Color Our World, offers a variety of creative events ranging from crafts and sing-alongs to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) workshops across several branches. Visit atlanticlibrary.org for more information.
Madison Russ is an award-winning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area’s vibrant arts scene.
