Monmouth Festival of the Arts Kicks Off This Weekend

The 41st Monmouth Festival of the Arts kicks off this weekend and runs through April 13 at the Monmouth Reform Temple on Hance Avenue in Tinton Falls, showcasing over 215 artists from all over the Northeast.

The juried art show will display a variety of mediums including jewelry, ceramics, sculptured art, oils, watercolor, pastels, mixed media, and fine crafts.

The festival begins on Saturday, April 9 with a Gala Opening featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and affording partygoers the opportunity to purchase the most popular art. Tickets for the gala are $65 at the door, $60 if purchased in advance.

Daily ticket prices are $8 for adults and discounted $5 for senior citizens and students. A Series Ticket (Sunday-Wednesday) can be purchased for $18.

Family Day is Sunday, April 10, featuring the “Art of Puppetry” with children’s puppet craft workshops and Paper Moon Puppet Theater presenting entertainment for children ages 5 to 11.  Families can also enjoy a musical performance by the Monmouth Winds a woodwind quintet from the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra.

On Tuesday, April 12, writer, producer, and popular NPR and WNYC radio host Julie Burstein will discuss her newly published book, "SPARK". Burstein explores the “spark of creativity” among our culture's icons and noted artists and all that ignites their imaginations.

MFA will also offer a daylong symposium for art educators that provides teachers with lesson plans and techniques of use in the classroom, as well as providing the opportunity to earn required continuing education credits.

A display of top award winners from the Student Art Competition held in January will be available for viewing, which includes entries from 14 area high schools. The artists are all in the 11th grade.

During the week, patrons can also attend several demonstrations given by artists on the technique of their craft, offered during day and evening sessions.

New York designer Daniel Reiser, who has served as technical consultant to the Guggenheim Museum, returns as the show designer for the second year. Reiser has been affiliated with architectural projects in major cities throughout the world and has a broad range of experience in the contemporary art world.

The Monmouth Festival of the Arts is hosted by Monmouth Reform Temple and is made possible, in part, by the Monmouth County Arts Council through funding from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the County Historical Commission and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.