Demonstrator Schedule  |  Meet our Artists  |  Adult and Children’s Classes

The Jersey Shore Folklife Center researches, documents, supports and presents the diverse communities and traditions of the Jersey Shore and the Pinelands.  The Center provides professional oversight for folk art programs and exhibits at Tuckerton Seaport and manages the artist roster and guest demonstrator schedule, the Folk and Traditional Artist in Residence Program, the Jersey Traditions outreach program and changing artist exhibits in J.C. Parker's workshop. 

Through daily demonstrations, educational programs, classes and exhibits the Jersey Shore Folklife Center celebrates the profoundly creative spirit of the region, its traditional arts; and its occupational and recreational folklife. 

Come see the New Jersey Shore Folklife Center building, now located at Kelly's Oyster House. See folk art exhibits daily and come view demonstrations by traditional artisits including basketmaking chair caneing, painting, and glassmaking. 

Upcoming classes include:

Snowflake Weaving Class
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009
Fee: $8 members/ $13 non-members
Learn to make a woven snowflake from master basket maker Mary May during this two hour class. $7 material fee payable to instructor.
Pre-registration required by December 3, 2009.

Blue-wing Teal Carving Class—Sold out in October! Back by popular demand!
Instructor: Jode Hillman
Date/Time: Sunday, January 24 and Sunday, January 31, 2010 10-5pm
Fee:  $115 members/ $130 non-members
Join master carver Jode Hillman for an intensive two day class in which students will learn the methods and techniques needed to carve and paint a Delaware River style Blue-wing Teal.  Students may choose a hen or drake to carve and paint.  Price includes materials fee.
Pre-registration required by January 18,  2010

Boat Building Skills
Instructor: Ron Spodofora
Date/Time: Saturday, February 6, 13, 20, and 28, 2010 10am-4pm
Fee: $40 Members/ $45 non-members per day
Join boat builder Ron Spodofora and other boat building staff for a one day hands-on workshop in Perrine’s Boatworks. This class is designed for beginners and boat builders unfamiliar with regional Barnegat Bay boat building methods. It is an introduction to traditional Barnegat Bay boat building tools and techniques, hand and power tools, shop safety and various boat designs of the region. Participants will work with Tuckerton builder Ron Spodofora on one of the traditional boats being built in Perrine’s Boat works. Bring lunch and safety goggles.
Pre-registration required by the Wednesday before each class.

Sicklebill Curlew Carving Class
Instructor: Malcolm Robinson
Date/ Time: Three Sundays: February 14, 21, and 28, 2010 10am-5pm
Fee: $75 members/ $85 non-members plus $30 materials fee payable to instructor
Spend a carving intensive three days at the Seaport making an antique style sicklebill curlew. Carver Malcolm Robinson will guide participants through the process of carving and painting a shorebird decoy. Bring lunch and carving tools if you have them. Intermediate and advanced carvers welcome.
Pre-registration required by February 11, 2009

Fused Glass Pendant Class
Instructor: Yvonne Yaar
Date/Time: Saturday, April 24, 2010 10am-1pm
Fee: $40 members/ $45 non-members
Join glass artist Yvonne Yaar for a fused glass class! Bring your ideas and design a fused glass pendant. to know the tools and processes for cutting and shaping glass. Return to pick up work after kiln firing or arrange shipping. fee payable to instructor: $15, $25 for two pendants or a pendant and earring set.
Pre-registration required by April 17, 2010.

Ongoing throughout the year:

Check in at Boatworks to see Boatbuilder Ron Spodofora and his apprentices as they build historic Barnegat Bay sneakboxes.

Daily decoy carving demonstrations in Jay C. Parker's Decoy Shop and Hurley Conklin's Decoy Shop and boatbuilding demonstrations in Perrine's Boatworks.

Call 609-296-8868 for a full schedule of each day's activities.

Jersey Traditions Outreach Program
Bring history and art alive to your students. Sign up to have an artist come to your classroom!

The Jersey Traditions Outreach Program introduces regional folk arts to children and gives them a chance to learn first-hand from a master the important part these folk arts and skills played in the history of the region and the development of the local culture.  Teachers choose from programs on decoys, quilting, basketry, and boat building.

After participating in the Jersey Traditions class, students pose with carver Fred Reitmeyer and display their painted "flattie."

The outreaches were developed to meet New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards for 4th grade. The program includes pre- and post-visit teacher packets and a visit by a local artist. If you would like more information about the Jersey Traditions program, please call 609-296-8868 x 116.

Pickin' on the Porch
Second Sunday of Every Month from 12pm to 5pm
$5.00 Includes Admission to all Seaport Exhibits
Free for Seaport Members

Join us on the Seaport grounds for a jam session and get together. Come to pick or just listen. We'll swap songs, tell stories and share homemade goodies. Bluegrass, Country and Old Time Music.
Acoustic instruments only please!

Directions By Car or Boat