OCEANVILLE,NJ – One of the largest exhibitions of contemporary American marine art, the30 ^thAnniversary Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA), opens at the Noyes Museum of Art on November 13, 2008 and continues through February 22, 2009 before completing its east coast tour in South Carolina and Massachusetts. Celebrating America’s rich history as a seafaring nation, this dynamic exhibition brings together over 100 nationally and internationally recognized contemporary marine artists.  

The viewer will see quiet shorelines, harbor views and battleships featuring tumultuous, roaring seas presented in various mediums with luminous light and emotion. Many of the paintings require hours of research by the artist, pouring over accounts and stories from captain’s logs, books, manuscripts, historical drawings, photographs and models to present authentic depictions of maritime history. With story telling prowess and meticulous attention to detail, artists capture historic renderings of pivotal marine crafts including battle ships, such as the USS Nevada  and majestic pilot schooners like the America  as she finished the first leg of the America’s Cup race in the United Kingdom in 1851.

In addition to maritime history, the exhibiting artists explore the ocean environment, wildlife and coastal habitats, reflecting a growing concern for the pressures that threaten marine life and the survival of  the ocean ecology. More traditional contemporary subjects are also presented with renderings of recreational boats, industrial ships and fishing vessels. “There has never been such excitement and diversity in marine art and this exhibition shows the tradition is very much alive and well,” said Charles Raskob Robinson, an exhibit organizer and fellow of ASMA. “We are excited to host the American Society of Marine Artists exhibition,” said Noyes Museum Director Michael Cango, “Our region’s rich maritime history and our strong connection to the sea provide a perfect environment to view this exhibition. We are especially pleased that three New Jersey artists are represented in the exhibition, Kim Weiland of Ocean City, Neal Hughes of Moorestown and Julie Sutherland of Florham Park. Their participation in an exhibition of this caliber confirms the wealth of artistic talent in our state."

Following its appearance at the Noyes Museum, this exhibit will travel to the Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg, S.C. from March through May 2009 and will end its tour at the New Bedford Art Museum in New Bedford, Mass. From June through September 2009. A 107-page, full-color catalog of the exhibition will be available at each of the venues for $19.95 or on the ASMA website at www.americansocietyofmarineartists.com.

The Noyes Museum of Art was founded in 1983 to collect, preserve and exhibit American fine art, crafts and folk art with an emphasis on New Jersey artists and folk art forms, reflecting the area’s long history, traditions, landscape and culture. General funding for The Noyes Museum of Art is provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Arts; the Mr. and Mrs. Fred Winslow Noyes Foundation; the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; the Odessa F. and Henry D. Kahrs Charitable Trust. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and major holidays. The Noyes Museum of Art is located one and a half miles south of Historic Smithville Village, off Route 9, on Lily Lake Road in Oceanville, New Jersey. For more information, please call (609) 652-8848 or visit ;  www.noyesmuseum.org.