FAIR HAVEN – THE ESTUARY, a team of art curators in Fair Haven, recently announced its third installation, THE ESTUARY ART WALK. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, with an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 16, followed by an after-hours party at Nauvoo Grill Club.
The walk will take place in the east side business district – dubbed the Old Village in the early 1900s – at shops along River Road. Each business will host a different artist. The free event welcomes everyone to celebrate an exciting collection of mixed-media art and enjoy music and food. The team also promises a few surprises along the way.
THE ESTUARY was created by a team of women from the Two River area to engage the community by showcasing compelling art from artists near and far; to produce exciting events where guests come to appreciate artists and support them as patrons, fueling a thriving creative ecosystem; and to celebrate the rich history of the region and foster a deeper sense of community with art’s remarkable power to unite.
According to the founders, Emily Billington, Peggy Nicolosi, Ana Anttonen and Maggie Ludman, the surrounding waters of the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers and their many creeks, ponds, streams and bays are a place where the artistic soul and historic culture of our community converge, convene and connect.
THE ESTUARY previously hosted events in April and November 2024. The April event was held at Fair Haven’s historic Bicentennial Hall and transformed the 150-year-old venue into an art gallery, with the original 1880s pews repurposed to display the artwork. Over 500 attendees gathered to celebrate the creativity of more than 20 local artists. More than 100 pieces of art were sold, generating over $50,000 in sales and donations. All proceeds were directed back into the community to fund the restoration of Bicentennial Hall and support the newly launched Fair Haven Farmers Market.
The November event, THE ESTUARY AT COBBLE CLOSE FARM, was held at a grand country estate in Navesink with an incredibly rich history dating back to the 1920s when it was built for Herbert Straus, heir to the Macy’s fortune. The show included an exclusive, invite-only Collector’s Cocktail Party where guests enjoyed gourmet bites, champagne and signature cocktails. The event’s nonprofit partner, In Good Company Dance Company, performed. Visitors could view the art by appointment throughout the weekend.
Artists featured during the May event include Renee Levin, Monica Camin, Judi Tavill, Jon Bagnato, Suzanne Osterweil Weber, Evelyn Leavens, Luba Caruso, Lucy Kalian, Djamila Fierek, Jessie Frost, Victoria Steele, Maura Woodward, Catherine Andersen, Jennifer Smith Donaldson, Penelope El-Dalati, Jon Peters, Marguerite Montserrat, Carole Rogers, Autumn Kent-Hower, Lara Robby, Mary Keenan, Mary Connell Gaynor, Kris Murphy, Stephanie Palumbo, Lisa Goodwyn, Emily Walling, Mike Quon, Tracy Boyle, Kirk Moore, Linda Bail, Mike Komar, Harris Davis, Anne Marie Coon, Gavin “Wild” Shwala, Mike Scherfen, and Emily Billington.
A portion of proceeds from sales and donations to THE ESTUARY ART WALK will benefit The Educationalist Method and its new T.E.M. Studio in Red Bank. T.E.M. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the social, emotional, and cultural advancement of teenagers, empowering them to develop servant leadership skills, foster community connections, and make a meaningful impact.
To advertise in the event catalog, which will be printed and shared during the event and shared digitally on Instagram, contact estuaryartshow@gmail.com. Follow @estuaryartshow on Instagram for up-to-date information.
The article originally appeared in the April 3 – April 9, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
