MARGATE - The annual Steve and Cookie's Art Show held Tuesday night at the bayside restaurant featured the work of local artists using mediums from oil and acrylic to glass and tile designs, and even jewelry.
Artist Jon Baker stands next to his artworks during the show. Baker has been a bartender at Steve and Cookie's for the past 17 years.
The way it started was we were just talking about how talented all our employees were, restaurant owner Cookie Till said. We had Jon (Baker), somebody who was a writer, someone was a poet, somebody was a photographer, so we thought it would be fun to do an art show."
For the first five years, the show featured employees.
As people moved on more people were like, How do I get in the show? Do I have to work for you?' So, we started asking local artists, Till said.
Now, it seems as though many local artists are clamoring to be featured in the once intimate show.
I've been wanting to get in here for years, so I was stoked when Jon made the call, said artist Valerie Feo, who was showcasing her collection of painted tile pieces.
Valerie Feo presents an array of painted tiles at the show.
The Art Show has been an annual affair for about 17 years, Baker said.
It was Feo's first year, but the event included work from regulars, including Eileen Rose Raynes.
This is actually the third year I'm doing the Steve and Cookie's show, Raynes said. It's for a good charity and it's a fun show. And because it's a fast, in-and-out show, it's a very exciting evening. Exhausting, but very exciting. Everything goes up in one day and down in one day.
Eileen Rose Raynes presents her work.
The artists were not only proud to present their hard work, but also honored to have their art benefit a great cause.
It's a very nice event and I love the fact a portion of the proceeds gets donated back to the Atlantic County Special Services School District, said artist Lyntaga Smith, who displayed her nature inspired jewelry.
Students from the Atlantic County Special Services School District also had their artwork on display.
Art from students of the Atlantic County Special Services School District was on display for attendees to admire, as well.
The show included raffles, all-night happy hour, and proved to be a wonderful evening for artists and lovers of art alike.
