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What’s New
Trompe L’oeil Meets Surrealism…escaping reality
Opening Saturday, October 16, 2021 – Closing Sunday, December 19, 2021
A tantalizing display of trickery and deception featuring collections of objects and photographs which fool the eye or go against reality. Featuring artists: Gary Erbe, Franz Jozef Ponstingl, and Win Zibeon
Tours are by appointment only: Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Masks or face coverings are required when entering the Museum, regardless of vaccination status.
Don’t forget to tag your photos: #petomuseum when attending any of our events or exhibitions.
Don’t Miss Out on our Members Only
Wine and Cheese Party to celebrate the opening of our new exhibit
Become a member by Saturday, October 16, 2021 to receive this exclusive invitation.
Building Bridges with Hugh J. Boyd, Jr. Elementary School
For the first time in its history, the John F. Peto Studio Museum has received a grant that will enable us to partner with an elementary school to help students learn about the Trompe l’oeil style of painting, of which Peto was a major proponent. The partnership with the Hugh J. Boyd, Jr. Elementary School in Seaside Heights results from a special Building Bridges grant awarded to the John F. Peto Studio Museum by the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission. Grant funds will be used to supply the school’s art teacher with special art supplies and books, and will enable her to instruct the students about the Trompe l’oeil style.
The students’ work will be proudly displayed either at the Museum or on our website. Look for further details in future issues of this newsletter. We also hope to use these grant funds to bring the students to the Peto for a special tour.
We are grateful to the Commission for providing us the opportunity to broaden our audience through community engagement.
Amazing Peto Rack Painting Returns to the Museum
The Letters
The John F. Peto Studio Museum is proud to announce that The Letters, an exquisite and detailed rack painting Peto produced in the mid 1890s, has been placed on long-term loan at the Museum by the estate of Mrs. Dorothy M. Applin. The painting, which measures approximately 12 inches by 10 inches, shows an envelope nailed to a board with part of another envelope and a card placed behind it. The envelope is addressed to H. D. Vansant, Esq., of Island Heights. Vansant was a well-known town resident who was involved in real estate, served on the town’s council and as Mayor for six years, and served as United States Counsel in several different Canadian cities. Van Sant Avenue, one of the main east-west thoroughfares in town, is named after him.
According to Mr. Rick Applin, Mrs. Applin’s son, the painting is one of three that was in the house on River and Maple Avenue when his grandparents bought it from the Vansant family.
The John F. Peto Museum wishes to greatly thank the Applin family for their generosity in loaning this remarkable example of Peto’s finest work to the Museum for visitors to see and admire.
WE THANK OUR DOCENTS AND GREETERS
From left to right: Barbara de la Cuesta, Fran Jorin, Dorothy Matteo, Colleen Kehler, Christine Bornebusch, Dennis Broschart, Lucy Scheer, Claire Cagney, Joyce Kaizar, Barbara Hanna, Harry Bower, Denise Summer, Mary Judge, Kathy Ballas, Elaine Applegate
We’d like to extend a big thank you to our docents and greeters. Without you, and your dedication, we would not be able to offer art exhibitions to the public.
Unlike many other Museums, the Peto does not permit visitors to walk unaccompanied through our galleries. Instead, visitors are welcomed at the door by one of our greeters, who show the videotape about the Museum, make visitors feel welcome, provide them with information about membership and upcoming events, and obtain their contact information.
The docent-led tour then begins. Each of our docents has received special training from our Curator about the works of art on display in the current exhibition. This special training maximizes visitors’ enjoyment of the exhibit.
We want to specifically thank Harry Bower, Mary Judge, Barbara Hanna, Debra Levinson, Sarah Pundersen, Denise Summer, and Fran Jorin for volunteering as greeters and docents last month. Your dedication, enthusiasm and commitment are appreciated by all.
Anyone interested in volunteering as a greeter or docent should please contact us at info@petomuseum.org.
Guest Spotlight
Where Were They From and What Did They Say?
Guests from near and far visited the John F. Peto Studio Museum. Here is what they had to say:
Noeline and Podraig from Ireland said, “Harry provided a lovely tour of the Museum.”
Ken and Penny from Santa Barbara, CA wrote: “What a Gem.”
Christie from Highland Park, NJ exclaimed: ” Wonderful studio and docents! Really enjoyed our visit.”