Custom artwork, charcuterie boards and more.
Small Town Arts, Toms River is a unique art gallery and makerspace. Artists/Owners, Suzy Oleske, of Suzy Shore Essentials and Lisa Cifaretto, of LMCArtNJ, felt there was a real need in having a makerspace Downtown. Lisa, President of TRAC and Suzy, Vice President of TRAC, spend a lot of time at the TRAC Gallery down the hall. It became very evident to them that people want to see art being produced. Both Suzy and Lisa always dreamed of having their own art gallery/makerspace. With 1 unit left at 53 Main and the passing of the new apartments happening Downtown, they knew this was the time to make the move!
Suzy has her potters wheel in the gallery and Lisa has her resin station. At any giving time people could walk in and see some form of art being worked on. With a very loyal, local following their gallery is filled with onlookers and clients.
Many of Lisa’s Charcuterie Boards are custom orders. The client loves to be there while she is pouring their one of a kind piece. To take it a step further Lisa and MJ of Craft & Carry Customs (just up the hall) have teamed up. Lisa pours the resin and MJ laser engraves whatever the client wants on it.
Suzy is working hard on the many steps involved in producing her pottery. Her kiln was just installed this week, so soon the shelves will be filled with her pottery. For right now Suzy has her hand painted wine glasses, soaps, watercolor paintings and slumped glass filling up the shelves.
With future plans of pottery classes and resin pouring class in the works, this studio is going to be amazing.
I’m Christina (Chris) Sleckman from Toms River, born and raised in NJ. I am a retired lifelong Respiratory Therapist. I’ve always loved the sea, and I’m fortunate enough to combine that with my appreciation for arts and crafts. I enjoy the challenge creating art pieces using sea glass, pottery, pebbles, buttons, driftwood, shells, coral, beach decor, or whatever I find to fit the piece. I sometimes use mermaids, seahorses or other sea creatures. I started out doing resin art and all beach related pieces but now I also incorporate different compositions and mediums.
I find it exciting when I see a certain piece and and picture what I see for it. And I have been known to jump up and down a bit when it comes out just right! I truly love what I do, especially when I’m able to help someone find the perfect item that’s missing in their home.
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @JerseyShoreSeaGlassArt