OCEAN GROVE HISTORIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY
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Mission Statement
The Mission of the Ocean Grove Historic Preservation Society, Inc. is twofold: to save and restore the beautiful and historic building (the “old” Neptune High School) that is currently home to the Jersey Shore Arts Center, and to operate the Arts Center in support of local artists and arts educators. The Jersey Shore Arts Center provides affordable programs, events, professional opportunities and work space for artists and arts related educators who in turn develop opportunities for the broader Jersey Shore community to experience and engage with the Arts.
About This Cause
This building, regarded in the 1906 World's Fair as an "Architectural Splendor," was initially constructed in 1897 and served as the Neptune High School for over 60 years. The school building was abandoned in the early 1980s, falling into disarray over the years from non-maintenance. In 1997, the Ocean Grove Historic Preservation Society, Inc. led by Herb Herbst and Senator Joseph Palaia, took over this Historic Site with a grand vision for the dilapidated structure: to renovate this historical gem and create a cultural arts center known as the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC). The restoration happened mostly with the help of volunteers scraping, painting, and doing most of the construction. By 2000, the first floor opened with newly renovated rooms, studios, and a beautiful theater. Restoration efforts of the second and third floors followed, allowing for additional studios, common areas, kitchen and dining room, and smaller theater. Currently, the JSAC uses the high school classrooms as studio space for artists and educators, boasting over 16 art studio residents, an in-house theater group, and community groups that call our building home. Our goal is to provide a significantly affordable workspace for artists and educators and create a supportive community to cultivate their work and education efforts. The JSAC makes sure that all who apply for residence provide a unique art form, to ensure diversity, and most importantly, have an energy and spirit which will help nurture the community of which they are apart. Presently, our arts residents' offerings include the visual arts (painters, screen printers, woodcut, sculpture, photography, and art restoration), music instruction, dance lessons, and instrument repair. To qualify for studio space, residents are arts-based initiatives (nonprofit or small business). Along with the studio space, we encourage partnerships and collaborations within the building and with other outside organizations. Part of our mission is to support the studios by promoting and educating the public about their art and creativity so others can learn from and use our resident’s services and programs. Our 500 seat Joseph A. Palaia Theater, the crown jewel of the building, plays host to a full theater production schedule, dance shows, and various musical acts. Regular and annual events that the public attends include hosting local music schools and high school performances that provide additional monies for restoration and renovation projects. To allow an opportunity to entertain smaller audiences and help develop performances and performers, performers chose the 75-seat Herbert G. Herbst Theater. The Third Floor Cafe Space and culinary instructional kitchen on the 3rd floor, in 2014, was the final interior project completed creating a culinary arts area for up and coming chefs. Our creative venues serve various areas of the arts and allow for different collaborative efforts and unique programs not found in this area of the Jersey Shore. Since Herb Herbst's passing, Board President, Melinda Kelley, plus five board members and Executive Director, Nichole Nappi, continues to reach out to community leaders, businesses and the Jersey Shore communities to acquire monetary sponsorships, donations, and volunteers. JSAC continues its mission: to create a community-based performing arts center that supports local artists and encourages equal opportunity for all abilities and socioeconomic levels.