South Jersey Arts Districts

Not all works of art hang in a museum. You'll find many in artists' lofts, artisans' studios, and crafters' workshops throughout South Jersey. The region's growing artist communities are becoming hot destinations for one-of-a-kind objects and artistic creations.

In recent years, the town of Collingswood has become a burgeoning artist colony. Dozens of artisans' studios and shops line Haddon Avenue where craftspeople create and sell their wares. And Collingswood's arts community isn't just limited to arts and crafts. Poets and novelists have also moved into the area and the town's coffee shops frequently hold readings. Check it all out for yourself during their "Second Saturday" program when galleries, artist studios and shops, coffee shops and retail stores stay open late for an evening of art, music and more.

Appel Farm Arts & Music Center in Elmer can bring out the artist in anyone. The bucolic countryside is the ideal setting for the Center's workshops in art, music and theater and the annual festival draws some of the East Coast's best craftspeople and artisans. These days, ceramic artists are especially enamored with Appel Farm's three-chamber wood-fired Noborigama kiln, the only one of its kind in South Jersey. Through a cooperative program with the Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown, local artists not only have access to the kiln, they can display and sell their wares at the annual festival.

Perched along the Rancocas Creek in Mount Holly, Mill Race Village combines art, history and shopping. What was once an 18th century grist mill is now an artisans' village where you can watch artists at work in their studios. Pottery, wearable art, quilts, jewelry and other one-of-a-kind treasures are created on-site in this historic setting where you'll have the opportunity to chat with craftspeople and learn more about each piece before you buy it.

As far back as the 18th century, the beauty of hand-blown glass has been a long-standing South Jersey tradition. Today, the artists at Wheaton Village in Millville continue that tradition, making Wheaton one of the nation's leading centers for glass art. Set on 60 acres, Wheaton's Museum of American Glass features more than 6,500 pieces. But in addition to Wheaton's amazing collection, they provide studios for local artisans to practice and create their own works of art.

Easily accessible and continually growing, South Jersey's arts districts are a source of delight for artisans and those who are mad for hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind creations.

Pictured: Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
Courtesy Spark Creative Group