In 2013, The John F. Peto Studio exhibited a show called, “Island Heights & Beyond: The Artist’s Colony”. This exhibit showcased the many artists that have been inspired by Island Heights. View our booklet from the show above.
EARLY YEARS | 1880’s – 1950’s
John F. Peto and other artists came at the turn of the last century to fish, hunt, sail and paint. Many were from the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Fine renderings and impressionist landscapes are among the styles of paintings during this period.
Franklin Dulles Briscoe
James Moore Bryant Island Heights
Carl Buergerniss Island Heights
Bessie Pease Gutmann Island Heights
Gerard R. Hardenburg Bay Head
William McDougal Island Heights
Emily Perkins Island Heights
C.S. Street Toms River
William Frazee Strunz Toms River
Fred Wagner Island Heights
Annie Woolcott Toms River
MIDDLE YEARS | 1960’s – 1990’s
During this time period, the area was seeing more full-time residents. A group of local women, led by Edna Feerick in 1957, created the Ocean County Artist’s Guild to share their love of art and have a place to create it. This portion of the exhibit showcases many originals from that time, including primitive paintings of local landmarks, some now gone.
Jane R. Crow Island Heights
John English Island Heights
Edna Feerick Island Heights
Ethel Fishberg Island Heights
Jack Shannon Island Heights
Orm Simpson Island Heights
Jano Taber Island Heights
Warren Thomas Pine Beach
Robert Toth Island Heights
NEW MILLENIUM | 2000’s – Present
Modern-day artists’ currently living in and around Island Heights and the Jersey Shore
Eliza Drake Auth Ocean Gate
John Bendel Island Heights
Anne Hruza Point Pleasant
Frank Parisi Island Heights
Virginia Perle Toms River
Jesse Pomeroy Island Heights
Karen Pomeroy Island Heights
Ellie Rogalski Island Heights
Ludlow Thorston Island Heights
Jean Carruthers Wetta Island Heights
Roddy Wildeman Belmar