Combining art with the beauty of Southern Jersey’s wetlands, a one-of-a-kind lakeside museum celebrates both natural and human-made wond ers

by Laura D.C. Kolnoski

Taking the road less traveled to Atlantic City and points south leads to discoveries those zooming down the Garden State Parkway miss. Just off Exit 48, Route 9 becomes a scenic country road meandering past marinas, antique shops, and the quaint Towne of Historic Smithville. As the gull flies east, the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge offers 47,000 acres of coastal habitats—a haven for migratory birds.

Down the aptly named Lily Lake Road in a picturesque setting is the lakeside Noyes Museum of Art. The only fine arts museum in South Jersey, its architecture compliments the wooded surroundings, visible from large windows throughout. Its form, scale, materials, and detailing blend contemporary with early rural architecture, realizing the vision of the founders.

To most, the names Fred and Ethel conjure memories of television’s I Love Lucy. In this part of New Jersey, those handles belong to the late Fred W. Jr. and Ethel (Lingelbach) Noyes, local entrepreneurs and avid art and antique collectors. A trained artist, Fred produced many works reflecting a love of South Jersey nature. His art and personal collection of vintage bird decoys are part of the museum’s vast collection of 19th to 21st century fine and folk art.

Fred and Ethel also founded the Towne of Historic Smithville, a once dilapidated 1787 stagecoach stop that is now filled with boutiques, the renowned Smithville Inn, and a casual restaurant called, appropriately, Fred and Ethel’s. In envisioning their museum, the pair hoped to foster public awareness and appreciation of the American Arts and Crafts movement, including works created by New Jersey artists past and present.

Opened in 1983, the museum contains four wings of exhibits that change seasonally, as well as a central 9,000-square-foot circulation gallery. Natural light from the windows and skylights helps conserve electricity while ensuring that no direct sunlight strikes display areas. Exterior siding and trim are native white cedar stained a weathered gray, while the sloped roofs are sheathed in wood shingles and heavy roof framing timbers are exposed in barn-style construction. Landscaped courts beckon the eye outside.

In 2010, Stockton University partnered with the Noyes Museum of Art in a deal that benefitted students, art enthusiasts, the school, and the region. According to Executive Director Michael Cagno, Stockton provided significant renovations and upgrades to support an expanded array of educational offerings, events, exhibits, and performances.

“The partnership is a natural extension of Stockton’s commitment to the area’s cultural scene,” Cagno said. “Since signing the agreement, the Museum has increased its membership, programs, and opportunities for artists and community engagement.” In 2013, the Museum joined with Stockton and Atlantic City’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to form Noyes Arts Garage Stockton University. The cornerstone of the new Arts District in Atlantic City, the Garage’s mission is to promote education, provide resources for emerging artists, and enrich the community. It houses 15 artist studios, galleries, shops, a café, a flexible classroom studio, and hosts special events throughout the year. It also includes a 1,200-square-foot satellite gallery of The Noyes Museum of Art, the new home of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, and Atlantic City’s only Fair Trade Store.

The Noyes Museum of Art recently received an ArtPlace grant to transform an unlit pedestrian walkway into the new Arts Alley Atlantic City, connecting the Garage with the retail area. The ongoing project will add permanent outdoor installations, incorporating artwork and photography by local students. The museum also maintains a 2,500-square-foot gallery at the nearby palatial Seaview Resort and Golf Club, purchased by Stockton from Marriott International, Inc. in 2010. In Hammonton, a Noyes Museum Shop offers exhibitions, original artwork, fine jewelry, ceramics, and custom framing. Hammonton is also home to the Noyes Gallery at Kramer Hall, showcasing artwork from state artists and Stockton students.

The museum celebrates the holidays with a variety of events, beginning with a Holiday Bazaar on November 14 in the Hammonton location, featuring art and fine crafts with a live performance by Nicolas Castillo, an R&B-indie-pop music artist. The annual free Holiday Concert by the Atlantic Youth Orchestra is scheduled at the main museum in Oceanville on November 29. A Holiday Party and Reception for the Associate Artists Exhibition also takes place there on December 4, marking the opening of a new exhibition by artists (who are expected to attend). Visitors can enjoy live music and refreshments while perusing four exhibitions: The Fluidity of Gender: Sculpture by Linda Stein; A Humanist Vision: The Paintings and Drawings of Michael Lenson (1903-1971); Frozen Earth: Images from the Arctic Circle; and the Noyes Associate Artist Exhibition.

The Noyes Museum of Art
of Stockton University, 733 Lily Lake Road
Oceanville (Galloway TWP) / 609.652.8848 / noyesmuseum.org