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CAPE MAY COUNTY MAGAZINE 6 JULY '83

To Encourage Self-Expression

, * (From Page 171 , One of Ihe stops aJong the tour is the Emlen Physick Estate The league was offered use of the carriage house on the estate by Dr fi Sidney Newcomer, who had acquired the property While maintaining the original structure, the League has converted the car riage stalls and the hayloft into galleries. The attached apartment was built onto the carriage house by Emlen Physick so he could watch the construction of his home in the 1800s PIIYSK’K'S HOME now houses the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC), which is separate from the Art League, although they do share some members The City of Cape May. which obtained the estate through a federal grant, leases the estate to MAC, which in turn leases the carriage house to the Art League We have focused more on the visual arts.” explained Hurkhauser in comparing the League to MAC “It (the League) was founded to support al) the arts and to promote them county wide ” Since coming to the Art League as its director and RAM (resident artist manager i. Hurkhauser has tried to fill in some gaps between programs offered “I'm a weaver and a writer." she proclaimed Although weaving was one of the crafts pro moted. writing was not Since the League was primarily concerned with visual arts and MAC eoncen trated mostly on performing arts, w riters fell through the cracks.’' HER RESPONSE was to in itiate a Cape Writers 2 Co-op in April The group, which lias a core of about 12 writers, meets each Thursday evening and plans to publish an anthology of poetry and fiction Membership is open

On the cover: Cope Mov County Art /.outlie is located in the carriole house o/ the Emlen Phvsufe Estate in Cape Mov Photo hv Nunne Weifeel

for the co-op. which acts as a support group and resource center for new and established writers. Another hole which Hurkhauser wanted to fill involved children’s participation In 1948 a .Junior Art League was established, but fizzled out at some point. As a former children's art teacher. Hurkhauser recognized the need for the Junior League to start agaitfr Numerous programs have been initiated, including puppet shows and linoleum block printing Her idea is to have an art teacher join the Board of Directors and encourage support from other local art teachers Eventually. Hurkhauser would like to have kids teaching kids ON FATHER’S DAY. children were invited to draw r chalk murals on Cape May's promenade. Local businesses donated prizes which were awarded in various categories. The children seemed to enjoy their involvement in this art form One of the major projects at this time is Summerarts '83, a series of classes and workshops to be held from July II through September The intent is to bring quality art instruction to county residents Classes include drawing, weaving. photography, calligraphy, silkscreening, bookbinding, papermaking and numerous other skills and talents Registration fees of $(i for non members w ill be accepted until July 11 at the League Another summer program is the Art-in-the Park exhibit and sale, held each weekend on the patio behind the carriage house Here artists and craftspeople are invited to display their work and sell it to the public without a con signment fee Such visibility of artists and their work is a major concern of Ihe Art League “That's my big thing." said Hurkhauser “You can't wait for people to come to you " She realizes the importance of getting out and making the public

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aware of the artists' presence CURRENTLY underw-ay is a mural project on the wall of Model Cleaners and Launderers in the Victorian Village Plaza in Cape May. League member Cheryl CrewsLynch is the artisl-in-charge who designed a Victorian porch scene She. along with fellow member Barbara Knippel and other volunteers, are transposing the scene onto the wall facing Washington Street Local residents will be used as models. Paint for the project was donated by MAH Paints in Wildwood . Such community support is vital to the success of the League. “Local businesses are very supportive." said Hurkhauser. THE LEAGUE relies on community volunteers also. Until recently, the director w r as the only paid member in the Art League, the position Hurkhauser took over in February. Now there is also an assistant who is paid All the others who participate are

volunteers, which are always needed for various special events and projects. The Art League also thrives on the efforts of its Board of Directors. which, as Hurkhauser describes it, is comprised of artists and people who “have an affection for the arts '' It was such an affection for the arts that was the impetus behind the County Art League. What started as a small movement in the Woodbine area caught the attention of other countians who wanted to bring the arts to the area The League took up residence in the old Court House and then moved to the present site after another interested party — Dr. Newcomer — made his generous offer. Hence, some form of today's Art League traveled from northern Cape May County to the cen tral section and to the south But continues to serve residents throughout the county, particularly artists and craf tspeople, and individuals who appreciate their talent and skill

MURAL VOLUNTEERS —YL-R) Maryann Cannon. Shirley Firak and designer Cheryl Crews-Lynch work on a mural of a Victorian porch scene on the wall of Model Cleaners and Launderers in Cape May.