| The History of the Jersey
Shore Arts Center: Beginning With A Vision |
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The restoration of the
"old" Neptune High School, and its subsequent transformation into the Jersey
Shore Arts Center, is a remarkable story that began with the shared
vision of
Herbert Herbst and some very determined and far-sighted individuals.
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The over
111-year-old building, celebrated at the 1906
World's Fair as an " Architectural
Splendor, " had fallen into ruin in
the 1980s and 1990s after
weather and neglect came close to
destroying it entirely. In 1997, the
Ocean Grove Historic Preservation
Society
led by Herbert Herbst stepped in, took
title to the building and began
the quest to not only save the
badly damaged historic building, but
to realize a dream: turning it
into what it is today, a
beautiful Historic building and a home for the cultural arts
at the New Jersey shore.
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| A Lesson In Making the
Impossible -- Possible |
| When the Historic
Preservation Society began their labor of love, they
faced a task many called impossible. They were greeted by fallen ceilings, ruined
floors and walls and the
need to upgrade virtually every aspect
of the building from plumbing and electrical
to sprinkler systems. |
| With their dream of
opening an Arts Center for the Monmouth County
community firmly in mind, they began the
gargantuan task of restoring the building
step by careful, caring step. Contractors were hired for
major structural, plumbing and electrical work. But it was a
dynamic and dedicated group
of skilled volunteers who labored over eleven years working
to restore every detail both big and
small: from each stair
banister and light fixture to every theater seat and
doorknob. |
| The
Arts Center "Open for Business" |
| The
first phase, completed in 2000, saw
the opening of the first floor
with five newly renovated classrooms,
restrooms, lobby, office space, and
a magnificent 400 seat theater.
Subsequent phases saw the construction
of dressing rooms, costume and
workshop rooms and kitchen area
in the lower level of
the building (completed in 2001). Since
then, the entire second floor has
also been restored and
renovated, including the theater's Loge
(balcony) with a seating area of 200, two
dance studios and a third extensive ballroom studio. |
Future plans for the Center is to
restore the third floor. A Culinary School is planned to serve the Visually Impaired and
Special Needs Individuals. Restored facilities will
consist of a kitchen, preparation room,
restrooms, classrooms and a
dining area. The mission
for the third floor project is
to provide the facilities and service
instruction to address the needs for the handicapped.
A strong positive educational curriculum will be developed. A separate
nonprofit supporting organization will
be established. To complete the 3rd
floor will require considerable financial
support. The Society is embarking on a fundraising program.
(See Donations Section) |
A
Cultural Center "At the Head of Its Class" |
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Today, the former High School and
current Jersey Shore Arts Center
still provides an " education " to Monmouth
County. In addition to providing a
venue for arts-related activities, the Center
also is a home to tenants
who offer instruction and participation
in the arts and creative writing,
to pottery making and ceramic arts. The
Center also has two in-house theater
group which hosts first class
dramatic and musical productions each year. (See
Services Section & Upcoming Events
Section) |
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The Mission of the Jersey
Shore Arts Center |
| The Jersey Shore Arts
Center is owned and operated by the
Ocean Grove Historic Preservation Society, a
nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. To ensure
that the arts flourish within the
community it provides a venue for artistic
expression as well as opportunities for
participation in theater, music, art, dance,
and activities for all individual ages. The
Jersey Shore Arts Center is supported
entirely by volunteers, has no paid
employees and uses no professional
fund-raising organizations. |
| Volunteers include
over 60 women from several communities in
Monmouth County who support functions at
the Center and hold a
variety of fund-raising events throughout
the year, and a skilled team of
dedicated
retired men who perform the many work tasks
of restoration and maintenance
to help keep the Center functional
and beautiful. |
| Accomplishments |
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The
Center
was given an award in 1999 by
the Monmouth County Planning Board as
"One of The Most Significant Projects
in Monmouth County." The 1906
World's Fair recognized the building
as an "Architectural Splendor." General
Colin Powell, USA (Ret), former United
States Secretary of State, learning
of the Jersey Shore Arts Center
activities, wrote "My congratulations to
all the wonderful volunteers of Ocean
Grove for what you are doing
for your community." The Chief Judge
for Monmouth County Superior Court,
the Honorable Lawrence Lawson, has taken
an interest in our efforts and is
having judges assign individuals to
perform community service at the
Center.
The use of volunteers is a way
of life at the Jersey Shore
Arts Center. former New Jersey State Senator
Joseph Palaia, a graduate of the
school, has provided continuous support,
advice, and assistance with legislative grants.
The Alumni of the "old" Neptune High School has provided
gifts and financial support.
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