VENTNOR – The annual two day Holiday Art Show continues Sunday, Dec. 7 in the atrium at the Ventnor City Cultural Arts Center, 6500 Atlantic Ave.
The show features nearly two dozen local artists and makers who sell their creations, which make perfect holiday gifts for someone special.
Theresa Kennish, who retired last year from her job as a fourth grade teacher at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex, is now knee-deep into painting on canvas.
“Art was always a first love for me my whole life,” she said. “Now that I’m retired, I’m giving it my all.”
Kennish still teaches, but instead of reading, writing and arithmetic, she is teaching children art after school at the Ocean City Arts Center.
Ninety percent of what she had on display for sale at the art show was created since she retired, she said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy this next phase of life,” she said.
Longport lifeguard and championship rower Sean Duffy stopped by her table and immediately recognized two rowers in the abstract impressionist art painting sitting on the table.
“That’s Jim Mason and ‘Judge’ Casciato, isn’t it?” he asked.
“Wow, I’m surprised you could recognize them. The painting is pretty abstract,” she said. “Yes, that’s from the Hammer Row, and Casciato is my dad, who is now 83 and still rows.”
Susan VanDuyne Hunter, who is the director of the Cultural Arts Center and organizes the show every year, said she was happy to enlist some new vendors and musicians to play during the show.
“That’s my brother Tom VanDuyne, the boat builder, who is playing jazz with his friend Reed Alberti,” she said. “He is no longer building surf boats and has gone back to his first love – jazz.”
Gretchen Hulse of Crescent Moon Clothing of West Chester, Pa., was sitting at her portable sewing machine giving new life to a pile of sweaters. She was appliqueing kantha fabric, a traditional Indian fabric made from recycled saris, onto the sweaters. The finished products were piled high on a table waiting for someone to complete the transaction that would make a textile art lover happy this holiday season.
She maintains a studio in Ocean City during the summer months, she said.
In the yoga studio, Longport resident Sabrina Blankenship had a table filled with rocks perfectly painted with intricate “hippie” designs. The rocks can be given as a gift or placed in an inconspicuous spot for someone to find. Kindness rocks are a new trend where the found object can be treasured by the finder, at least for a time, and then replaced for another treasure seeker to find and enjoy. Some finders may be inspired to paint their own rocks to share in public spaces, and the kindness regenerates again, and again.
The art show continues 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Ventnor City Cultural Arts Center held its annual Holiday Art Show Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7, 2025 in the atrium at the library building.
Copyright Fideri News Network 2025
