The Creator-Collector: Celebrating Cape May's Local Arts
- audreybeckert
- Jan 4
- 6 min read
Hi! I'm Audrey, a Cape May artist and part-time employee at Cape May MAC, a nonprofit organization that employs many talented, hardworking and dedicated people that have made it their mission to interpret and preserve the history of Cape May and it's one-of-a-kind culture. Through my role at this wonderful organization, I have been able to expand representation of local artists, authors, and crafters in the 3 gift shops that help support Cape May MAC.
This blog explores the joy of collecting art & decorating your personal space with things that bring you happiness and express your individuality, with a heavy focus on those creators who have participated in MAC shops and events. The purpose of The Creator-Collector is to help you grow & engage with your collection, introduce you to local Cape May artists and their fans, and promote local creative arts.
Why Collecting Local Art Matters
Local art tells stories about a specific place, capturing its history, people, and landscapes in ways mass-produced art cannot. When you buy from local artists, you help sustain their creative work and encourage cultural growth. When you focus on local art, you support that community and discover pieces that reflect the culture and spirit of its surroundings.
Supporting local artists also means you get to meet the creators behind the work. These relationships add depth to your collection and bring a more personal connection. Plus, local art can be more affordable and accessible, from handmade greeting cards and crafts to paintings, sculptures or mosaics, and literary works of fiction and nonfiction about a particular place.
Are YOU an Art Collector?
Do you have a painting, photograph, or object in your home that you admire frequently?
Do you tend to buy a book about a locale when you travel?
Do you like to personalize your home or desk with objects found in your travels?
Have you arranged books on a shelf simply to make them more visually appealing?
Have you attended a craft fair or festival when you have taken a trip?
YOU, my friend, are already an art collector, with a specific style. Congratulations!
Practical tips to help you expand your collection:
DIY: Yep! I literally rekindled my love of creating art because I had bought a new home and didn't have enough money to decorate it. I'm a person who loves texture and color. When a room needed something decorative, I made what I thought the room needed, for a fraction of the price that buying something might cost. Maybe something wasn't a masterpiece. So what? Maybe it hung for 3 months without a frame, So what? It still brought me joy, still was personal and original, and it allowed me to enjoy my hobby. Since then, I've started my own business and have sold hundreds of paintings and prints, participated in craft and art fairs, and networked with other creatives and collectors. I'm honored to be a part of such a vibrant creative community.
This was the first painting I completed when I took my brush back up after 30 years of artistic inactivity. Receding Storm, Broadway Beach, Acrylic on canvas. It is for sale on my website or in my home studio. Buy From People you Like: Look for affordable pieces like prints, postcards, or greeting cards created by local artists. I don't live an extravagant lifestyle, nor do I want to. What I want is to be comfortable & happy in my home. I look around at things my friends have created, and even when I'm alone, I feel connected.
Artists work and live everywhere. No matter where you are geographically, there is a local creative community, and getting out there to see things is fun!: Cape May hosts several events throughout the year and has several art galleries. I have a great part-time job with Cape May MAC, and am lucky enough to have been able to nudge the Carriage House Gift Shop into a mini art gallery featuring almost 50 local artists, authors, and creatives. The shop at the Cape May Lighthouse features a few different artists' works seasonally. When a creator contacts me to see if we have room for their work, my go-to response is "The more, the merrier," then I work hard to squeeze it into the shops.
Play Favorites: Many artists share their work on websites and social media, making it easy to discover and buy directly. As I blog about collecting, I'll provide links to artists, galleries, & event pages when available. Please let me know about your favorite creatives I might not have encountered, especially the ones located in Cape May, NJ. Through your social media account, friend local artists online, friend their friends, and like & share their posts.
It's Your Life & Style: Imagine dressing yourself for an important event. If you put that much effort into one outfit, shouldn't you put at least that much thought into arranging art in your living room?
If you have a great sunroom, consider flowerpots made by a local potter instead of plastic pots from a big box store. Like to cook? Buy a painting you find truly beautiful and hang it in your kitchen. A special piece can make the room feel less utilitarian & more connected to the rest of your home. Heck, I even have art hanging in my laundry room. I figure I spend enough time in there, I ought to have nice things on the walls.
Why treasure things but not use them? I bought a rather pricey but beautiful pottery bowl last spring, and instead of worrying about breaking it, I used it all summer to collect produce from my garden, making a routine task even more special. Since I am friends with the artist, I know I can replace it if I need to, or maybe find something else that is even more special to me.
Pay it Forward: I made myself a deal when I started my own art business. Every time I sell a certain amount of art, I purchase something to expand my collection with part of that money. When I started running out of wall space a year ago, I rearranged a lot of my collection, parted with many inexpensive, not-too-dear mass-produced decor items, and prioritized what really made me happy. Now I appreciate my one-of-a-kind collection even more.
You don't have to be a creative person to pay it forward. You could commit to purchasing at least 50% of the gifts you buy for others from local creatives. A thoughtfully bought gift will be more appreciated by the recipient than anything mass-produced.
Be inquisitive: Don’t hesitate to ask artists about their inspiration, techniques, and the stories behind their work. Ask your friends about their collected pieces. Invite someone to a craft fair, festival or museum if you're interested in going. Don't be bashful about asking your server about the painting with a price below it when you're out eating lunch. Attend gallery openings, introduce yourself to the artist, and make friends with the gallery representatives (They have the best job ever...introducing collectors to creators!). Sign up for artist & author newsletters!
Take an art class, participate in a sip & paint session, or visit artist's studios when they allow it. Putting yourself out there can only result in a great story if things go a little crazy.
Follow The Creator-Collector Golden Rule: If you like something, BUY IT!
Don't suffer regret by depriving yourself of something you really want.
The first piece I sold, at my very first show in over 30 years, when I rekindled my love of art. Blooms, Acrylic on canvas.
Support Cape May Local Artists, Authors & Crafters
Whether you are just starting or have been a long-time collector, your collection is unique and special to you. You might have been following a specific creator for many years, or attend the same festival annually. You might have changed the aesthetic you seek, or maybe your collected artist has evolved over time. My goal is to share my collection with you, and vice-versa, and exchange information about local creators and events. Future posts that feature a specific object will follow a 5-point format:
What is your name, and where do you live?
What is the title, who is the creator, and where did you purchase it?
What first drew you to the item and has that sentiment changed in any way?
Does this item fit with other parts of your collection, or is it different for you?
Where do you display or use it?
These basic questions help you engage with your collection and enjoy it to its fullest. Asking yourself these questions when you are browsing galleries, art shows, craft fairs or even artists' websites can help you to collect thoughtfully and meaningfully, enrich your daily life, and support your local creative community. I invite you to explore the links in this and subsequent posts, and subscribe to the blog.
-Audrey
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