Art, History and the Cape May County Art League

When you consider the realm of American painting over the past 150 years, the accepted schools of art in New York, Philadelphia and Boston immediately come to mind as the influential institutions of the fine arts. That the landscape, as subject, has dominated the inspirational spirit of these artists to create, one needs to understand that this seaside county, our lovely Cape May, has too enjoyed, albeit almost unacknowledged, a tremendous popularity for many famous and dedicated craftsmen in art. And that these artists have trod our shores, and taken images of our landscapes back to their studios, alongside the more worldly images of America, we begin to appreciate what inspires us, as modern practitioners in this county, with the same love.

The light, the subtle and striking moods, the whisper of salt, the smell of the mud and the warm summer forests distinguish themselves as enduring influences for creativity. That the dominant horizon lacks mountains, and that the endless marsh is void of riverboats, and that the small fishing shacks were not as red as "Motif # 1" in Gloucester, Massachusetts has never truly mattered. Our county has been home and subject for the works of no less than Robert Henri, Thomas Anschutz, William Trost Richards, Jessie Wilcock Smith, Violet Oakley, Walter Steumpfig, Martha Walters, many of the Pennsylvania Impressionists, and most recently Herbert Pullinger.

The opportunity for an established art colony to manifest itself here, as it did for Cape Cod, Carmel, New Hope and Santa Fe, appeared many times as members of the faculty of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts gathered here for numerous exhibitions and summer holidays. The idea that that art colony is still forming is most certainly the evidence of the long and proud history of our own Cape May County Art League.

As we continue to mature as an organization, with a clear voice for the "mission" set forth in 1929 it is hoped we can also inspire future generations of artists to keep this 'colony" moving forward.

Samuel Fleisher, noted philanthropist and founder of the Graphic Sketch Club which is now know as the Fleischer Art Memorial in Philadelphia, was a trustee for the Baron DeHirsch Fund (an endowment to establish a Jewish farming community) in our own Woodbine, New Jersey from 1906-1932. As director of recreation, he had the chance to interact with local teachers. In 1929 Frederic Nunn, living in Dias Creek and a fellow of the Pennsylvania Academy, was hired as a teacher for art classes. In their relationships, Nunn encouraged and participated in exhibitions in Philadelphia with art from this county. It was at an after exhibition dinner that Fleischer, early league president Luther Ogden, and Nunn discussed the need for an organized art presence in Cape May County. The League was organized a few months later on October 26, 1929.

From its early days of meeting in private homes, with individual "town vice presidents", to mounting the major exhibitions held at the now demolished Cape May Casino, which were attended by the most prominent names in eastern American art circles, the league has experienced a constant vitality. Art classes, lectures, professional workshops, dances, theatre, exhibitions, house tours, auctions, balls and sound friendships based in the artist's ways are the experience and legacy that we have brought to bear. The Art League has been a harbor for the novice artist, and a compelling inspiration to the professional. It has served its community and has engaged in many charitable services in quiet anonymity.

As we celebrate the late watercolorist Alice Steer Wilson, maritime artist John Mecray, local legend Ned Hergelroth, artists Albert Rinabold, Ray Shultz, Marie Roehrenbeck, Nina Scull, Constance Jost, Carolyn Tice, Helen Dilday, Jude Burkehauser, the Ogden's, Durell's and Torgersen's and numerous other members long histories of dedication and service to Cape May County, we now look forward to the next 75 years with proud determination.

By Stan Sperlak (an article written for our 75th yearbook)