Art at the Mart & LBI Open Studio Tour this weekend!

“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore”    Vincent Van Gogh

     Over the years, artists have captured the local community on their canvases or, in later years, on photo paper.   Other artists have created 3D objects, such as sculpture, pottery, furniture, weaving or food.

    This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can help support the local art community in several ways.

  First, on Friday evening, stop by the Manahawkin Mart at 657 E. Bay Avenue, as local artists are gathering for the first in a series of Art at the Mart.  This event will continue every 3rd Friday of the summer, and into September. (https://www.facebook.com/ArtAtTheMart)  The owners of the Manahawkin Mart have invited the local community to come see local artists, visit the many specialty shops inside the Mart, and listen to music by the group, Social Stand.  Cake That! (of Food Network fame) is providing live music all summer long at the Mart.   (http://www.cakethatnj.com)

     And, throughout the weekend, the Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts and Sciences is hosting the annual Open Studio Tour for local Island Artists.  What a great way to meet the artists in their natural environment, their studios.  And, between stops, you can go to the beach! (http://www.lbifoundation.org/eventsDetail.php?LBI-Artist-Open-Studio-Tour-20)

    Are you wondering what any of this has to do with Vincent Van Gogh?  Well, let me remind you of a few things.  Although Vincent’s work was groundbreaking, it was misunderstood during his lifetime.  He was the proverbial “starving artist”.  If it wasn’t for his brother, Theo, who was also his patron, he would not have been able to express himself.   If it wasn’t for Theo, the art world would have been denied the works of a pure genius. 

      Art requires patrons, public support, to survive.   And, just like fisherman takes a risk when going out to sea, the artist takes a risk with every creative effort they put forth.   The drive to create is so strong, it overrides the logical notion that there may, or may not be, support from their community.   Unlike the fisherman, though, who comes home with food as their reward, the artist realizes their work may be considered, “frivolous” or “folly”.    And yet, we artists refuse to remain ashore and we continue to create.

     So, why not take this weekend to visit the Manahawkin Mart on Friday evening and then take the open studio tour on Long Beach Island on Saturday or Sunday.  Supporting the local artists sounds like a perfect way to start the summer!