Noyes Museum

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The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University
Noyes Museum of Stockton University (Galloway Township, New Jersey) logo.png
Noyes Museum
Established1973;53 years ago (1973) (Noyes Foundation)
1983;43 years ago (1983) (museum opening to public)
Location Oceanville, New Jersey (1983-2016)
Atlantic City, New Jersey (2013-present)
Hammonton, New Jersey (2008-present)
Coordinates 39°27′57″N74°27′21″W / 39.46595°N 74.4558°W / 39.46595; -74.4558
Type Art museum
Collection sizeApproximately 3,500 works of art
DirectorMichael Cagno
Website www.noyesmuseum.org

The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University is an art museum and the only fine arts museum in southern New Jersey. [1] [2] Founded through the philanthropic efforts of Fred W. Noyes Jr. and Ethel (Lingelbach) Noyes, the museum opened in 1983 at a purpose-built facility on Lily Lake in the Oceanville section of Galloway Township, New Jersey. [3] In 2016, operations were moved to satellite locations across Atlantic County when the Oceanville building closed due to mounting infrastructure costs. [4]

Contents

The museum became a division of Stockton University in 2016 after a partnership that began in 2010. [5] [1] It now operates primarily through the Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City, which opened in 2013, and the Noyes Galleries at Kramer Hall in Hammonton, along with additional exhibition spaces at several other venues across the county. [6]

The Noyes collection comprises approximately 3,500 works of art and sculpture spanning the 19th through 21st centuries, with emphases on fine and folk art, including a notable collection of over 300 duck decoys. [7] [8]

History

Founding and construction

Location map of Atlantic County, New Jersey.svg
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Oceanville (closed)
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Arts Garage, Atlantic City
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Hammonton
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Seaview, Galloway
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Noyes Museum sites in Atlantic County, New Jersey

The museum was created largely through the efforts of Fred W. Noyes Jr. and his wife Ethel (Lingelbach) Noyes. Fred Noyes was an academically trained artist and avid art and antique collector who helped create and promote the "Historic Towne of Smithville" tourist attraction, and was the owner of the Smithville Inn restaurant. [1] [2]

The Noyes family established their charitable foundation in 1973 and began design of the museum in 1974, using funds from the sale of Historic Smithville. [3] The site chosen was the former location of the Little Indian Day Camp; Fred Noyes purchased the 733 acres (297 ha) property in April 1978 for $250,000. [9] The museum was designed by Paul Cope of the firm Cope, Lippincott & Slifer and built along the downward slope toward Lily Lake. Noyes invested approximately $4 million into constructing and endowing the facility. [10]

The museum opened in 1983 on Lily Lake Road in the Oceanville section of Galloway Township, directly adjacent to the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. [3] [11] [2] Ethel Noyes died in 1979 during construction, and Fred Noyes died in 1987, but the foundation they established continued to operate the museum. [3]

Oceanville years (1983-2016)

For over three decades, the museum served as a cultural center within Atlantic County, hosting exhibitions, concerts, classes, and community events. [12] The building eventually developed significant infrastructure problems: its sloped construction made climate control across the multi-level galleries difficult, the electrical systems required upgrading, and the structure was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). [13]

Stockton University partnership and takeover

In 2010, the museum signed a collaboration agreement with Stockton University under which the college would gain access to portions of the Noyes collection and expand programming, while Stockton committed $500,000 to renovate the Oceanville building and bring it into ADA compliance. [14] [15]

The university withdrew from the renovation in late 2015, and both parties concluded that further investment in the aging structure was not justified. [14] [1] The Oceanville building closed in January 2016, and the museum formally became a part of Stockton University, with operations shifting to the Arts Garage in Atlantic City, Kramer Hall in Hammonton, and the Seaview gallery in Galloway. [4] [15] [1]

In December 2017, the Noyes Foundation donated its remaining assets to the university, including the Oceanville property, the permanent collection, and other holdings valued at $2.2 million, and then dissolved. [5] [11] The Oceanville property was subsequently sold to LifePoint Church in 2021. [16]

Locations

Noyes Arts Garage, Atlantic City

Wave Garage / Noyes Arts Garage, Stockton University, Atlantic City, New Jersey. From Bally's Atlantic City td (2019-05-01) 14 - Wave Garage.jpg
Wave Garage / Noyes Arts Garage, Stockton University, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Noyes Arts Garage interior Noyes Arts Garage interior.jpg
Noyes Arts Garage interior

The Noyes Arts Garage is the museum's largest and most prominent location. It opened in November 2013 at 2200 Fairmount Avenue in downtown Atlantic City, within the WAVE parking garage near the Boardwalk and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. [17] The building was redeveloped by Atlantic City's Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), which leases the space to the museum at no cost. [17]

The facility houses two museums, eight artist studios, galleries, shops, a cafe, and a workshop space. [6] [18] [19] The Noyes galleries occupy approximately 1,200 square feet (110 m2) of exhibition space with rotating shows, and the individual artist studios allow visitors to watch artists at work and purchase original artwork directly. [2] [19] The Arts Garage is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. [6]

Selected exhibitions at the Noyes Arts Garage [20] [21] [22]
ExhibitionDatesDescription
Mother Nature vs. Human Nature: The Inequity of Climate Resilience (NJ Arts Annual)January-May 2023Largest exhibition in museum history; 105 works by 103 New Jersey artists displayed across both the Arts Garage and Kramer Hall
Ducktown: An Atlantic City Immigration Story (Janice Merendino)January-March 2024Mixed-media works documenting the evolution of Atlantic City's Ducktown neighborhood through past and present immigrant stories
Still Here: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape and Powhatan-Renape Nations of Southern New JerseyOctober 2024 - January 2025Historical documents, traditional artifacts, and contemporary art celebrating two southern New Jersey tribal communities
Drag is Not a CrimeJune-September 2024Photography, fashion, and visual art celebrating drag culture and self-expression for Pride Month
Academic Visions: Southern NJ University and College Art Professors ShowcaseJanuary-May 2025Works by 35 professors from five southern New Jersey colleges and universities, including Stockton, Rowan, and Rutgers [23]
Surf Skate ACAugust-November 2025Contemporary art by local artists and Stockton alumni capturing Atlantic City's surfing and skateboarding cultures [24]
Immigration 1.0 Relief Prints on Fabric (Fay Stanford)August-November 2025Relief prints on fabric exploring the relationship between the Lenape and European settlers in the Mid-Atlantic region [24]
Camp Boardwalk: Atlantic City during World War IIJanuary-March 2026Exhibit on Atlantic City's role in World War II as a military training center, curated by Dr. Patricia Chappine
Calina Hiriza & Sandra KosinskiDecember 2025 - March 2026Abstract painting with resin and raku pottery

African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey (AAHMSNJ) is a permanent anchor tenant within the Arts Garage, occupying dedicated gallery space since 2013. [25] [26] The museum was founded in 2002 by Ralph E. Hunter Sr., a retired retail professional and collector, originally in the Newtonville section of Buena Vista Township; that location remains open as well. [27] [28]

The AAHMSNJ collection includes over 33,000 pieces of memorabilia, paintings, ceramics, and advertising ephemera, all cataloged with assistance from Stockton University. [28] Its permanent exhibit, "Stereotypes," presents historical marketing imagery depicting African Americans. [25] [29] The AAHMSNJ also operates a traveling museum that visits 50 to 100 schools annually across four states, reaching over 100,000 people per year. [28] In 2025, the CRDA honored Hunter with its Spirit of Hospitality Award. [28] The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday; admission is free. [25]

Selected exhibitions at the AAHMSNJ (Atlantic City location) [25]
ExhibitionDatesDescription
StereotypesPermanentHistorical advertising and branding memorabilia depicting African Americans; the museum's foundational exhibit
Stealing Home: How Jackie Robinson Changed AmericaMay-August 2017Exhibit exploring Jackie Robinson's career and impact, funded by the CRDA
Back from Mother AfricaFebruary-June 2018African paintings, prints, ceremonial masks, and carved objects from multiple donated collections
Black Cowboys & Buffalo SoldiersFebruary-April 2023History of African Americans in the settlement of the American West
The Art of the Quilt: Fiber & Clay (Gloria Gammage Davis)February-March 2024Quilted art focusing on African American history and culture through textile artistry
Miss Black AmericaAugust-September 2024Repurposed sculptures by Robert R. Jackson chronicling the founding of the Miss Black America pageant in Atlantic City in 1968

Noyes Galleries at Kramer Hall, Hammonton

The Noyes Galleries at Kramer Hall, located at 30 Front Street in downtown Hammonton, is the museum's second primary location. Situated within Hammonton's designated Arts District, the galleries present seasonal exhibitions showcasing work by regional, national, and international artists, as well as Stockton University faculty and students. [6] The museum first established a presence in Hammonton in 2008 with a satellite space on South 2nd Street. [2] Kramer Hall also houses stored portions of the permanent collection. The galleries are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. [6] [18]

Selected exhibitions at Kramer Hall [20] [21] [22]
ExhibitionDatesDescription
Our House is on Fire (Brodsky, Garfield, Tudor, Wachs)January-April 2024Four-artist group exhibition on ecological concerns and climate resilience
Drag is Not a CrimeJune-September 2024Exhibition challenging societal norms and celebrating drag culture (in conjunction with Arts Garage)
Chanelle René and Quinton GreeneOctober 2024Paintings by two local artists
Decolonial PilgrimageOctober 2025 - January 2026International exhibition of American and Central European artists examining colonialism and sacred landscapes
Noyes Artist Member ShowcaseJuly-September 2025Annual juried exhibition of works by Noyes Museum artist members in various media
What Does It Mean To Be An American (Daniel Robert Horne)January-May 2026Portraits of explorers, thinkers, activists, and everyday people reflecting diverse American identity

Noyes Galleries at Seaview, Galloway

The Noyes Gallery at the Seaview resort (a Dolce Hotel) in Galloway Township is a 2,500 square feet (230 m2) satellite gallery highlighting selections from the permanent collection and work by regional artists. It is free and open daily. [2]

Selected exhibitions at the Seaview Gallery [20] [21]
ExhibitionDatesDescription
Ocean City Fine Arts League SpotlightMarch-July 2025Showcase of works by members of the Ocean City Fine Arts League
Pine Shores Art AssociationJuly-September 2025Exhibition of works by Pine Shores Art Association members
Seaview Plein Air InvitationalOctober 2025 - February 2026Juried exhibit of 43 artists who painted en plein air on the Seaview grounds, co-sponsored with the Absecon Cultural Arts Alliance

Additional exhibition sites

In addition to its three gallery locations, the museum maintains rotating exhibitions of works from the Noyes permanent collection at several other venues: [6] [20]

Additional Noyes Museum exhibition sites
VenueLocationExhibition type
Shore Medical Center Somers Point Ongoing selections from the Noyes permanent collection
Borough Hall Long Beach Island Ongoing selections from the Noyes permanent collection
AtlantiCare Atlantic CityRotating exhibitions
Stockton University campusesGalloway, Manahawkin, and Atlantic CityRotating exhibitions

Collection

The Noyes permanent collection comprises approximately 3,500 works of art and sculpture spanning the 19th through 21st centuries, with particular emphasis on artists connected to southern New Jersey. [7] [30] A notable component is a set of over 300 duck decoys collected by Fred Noyes; after the Oceanville building closed, the decoys were relocated to Hammonton's Town Hall. [8] [3] The collection also includes paintings by Noyes himself and works by artists such as Floretta and Ira Mostovoy, who documented Atlantic City life. [30]

Programs and outreach

The museum hosts educational programs, workshops, and community events across its locations. [22]

In 2024, the museum launched the "Access to Art" program in partnership with the Atlantic Center for Independent Living, hosting over 100 art workshops at 13 sites for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. The program received $70,000 in funding through 2025. [31]

Community involvement

The museum plays an active role in civic and cultural life across Atlantic County. The Arts Garage serves as the cornerstone of Atlantic City's designated Arts District, and the Kramer Hall galleries contribute to Hammonton's Arts District. [6] [1]

Recurring events

The museum hosts a monthly Second Friday reception at the Arts Garage with live music and gallery openings, and participates in Hammonton's town-wide Third Thursday events. [32] The Arts Garage also hosts the monthly "World Above" poetry open mic series, organized with the South Jersey Poets Collective and Stockton's Murphy Writing Center. [22] Since 2023, the Arts Garage has served as a venue for the state-sponsored North to Shore Festival. [33]

Public art and placemaking

In 2020, the museum collaborated with the Murphy Writing Center and the Ducktown Community Development Corporation to create the Ducktown Poetry Trail, a self-guided public art walk through Atlantic City's Ducktown neighborhood featuring poetry on social justice themes. [34] In 2022, the museum partnered with the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and Create 48 to commission two public murals for the NAACP National Convention's return to the city, with Stockton students assisting in the installation. [35] In December 2023, Stockton received a $1 million NJEDA A.R.T. grant for a public art and wayfinding project in collaboration with four Atlantic City community development corporations: Ducktown, Chelsea, Inlet, and Midtown. [36]

Youth and education partnerships

The museum offers children's art classes including the "Creative Sparks" and "Mighty Artistic" series for ages six through twelve, and hosts annual student art competitions from regional high schools. [32] [22] The Atlantic County Utilities Authority partners with the Arts Garage for its annual Recycled Art Contest. [37] In 2019, the museum presented "Driving While Black," an exhibition exploring African American freedom of movement, accompanied by poetry slams and guided tours. [22] [32]

Student and volunteer programs

The museum offers a formal internship program (ARTV 3924) for Stockton visual arts majors, with placements in curatorial work, collections management, marketing, event planning, and education. [38] The museum also accepts volunteers year-round. [39]

Accessibility

Admission to all Noyes galleries is free. [6] The Arts Garage and Kramer Hall are wheelchair accessible. Large-print gallery guides are available at each location, with braille materials by advance request. American Sign Language interpretation and live captioning are available for public programs with advance notice. [40]

Funding

The museum receives funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the Mr. and Mrs. Fred Winslow Noyes Foundation, Stockton University, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. [15] In 2023, the Dodge Foundation donated $100,000 to the Arts Garage and the affiliated Stories of Atlantic City program. [22]

Leadership

Fred W. Noyes Jr. oversaw the museum from its opening in 1983 until his death in 1987. [3] The founding director and curator was Anne R. Fabbri (1983-1991), who received the 1991 John Cotton Dana Award from the New Jersey Association of Museums. [41]

Michael Cagno has served as executive director since approximately 2007. [1] [42] A graduate of Rowan University (BFA) and Seton Hall University (MA, Museum Management), Cagno previously founded an arts center in Millville during that city's downtown revitalization. [43] He is also an adjunct professor of arts management at Stockton and president of the Ducktown Community Development Corporation. [1] [36] Cagno led the museum through its transition to a division of Stockton University and oversaw the expansion into satellite locations. [1] [43]

At the time of the 2016 transfer, Christine McCullough served as president of the Museum Board and Michael Hyett as president of the Noyes Foundation Board. The agreement was signed with Stockton President Harvey Kesselman. [44] The former museum board subsequently transitioned into an advisory committee. [1]

Key leadership figures
NameRolePeriodNotes
Fred W. Noyes Jr.Founder1983-1987Oversaw museum operations until his death; his art and decoy collection form the core of the permanent holdings [3]
Anne R. FabbriFounding Director and Curator1983-1991Won the 1991 John Cotton Dana Award from the NJ Association of Museums [41]
Michael CagnoExecutive Directorc. 2007-presentLed the Stockton transition; also adjunct professor of arts management and president of Ducktown CDC [1] [43]
Christine McCulloughPresident, Museum Board-2016Last board president before the museum's absorption into Stockton University [44]
Michael HyettPresident, Noyes Foundation Board-2017Oversaw the foundation's dissolution and final asset transfer to Stockton [44] [11]
Harvey KesselmanPresident, Stockton University2015-2023Signed the 2016 merger agreement on behalf of the university [44]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Dube, Ilene (August 25, 2016). "The Noyes Museum goes to college". WHYY. WHYY. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "About The Noyes Museum". Noyes Museum of Art. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Noyes Museum: A Historical Perspective". Noyes Museum of Art. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  4. 1 2 D'Angelis, Martin (January 11, 2016). "Last call at the Noyes Museum: 'Just a really sad day'". The Press of Atlantic City . Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Lai, Jonathan (August 17, 2017). "Noyes Museum becomes part of Stockton University". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Locations". Noyes Museum of Art. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  7. 1 2 D'Amico, Diane (January 8, 2016). "Hurry! Just two more days to visit Noyes Museum". The Press of Atlantic City . Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  8. 1 2 D'Amico, Diane (January 16, 2017). "Noyes collection moves to Hammonton, for now". The Press of Atlantic City . Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  9. ↑ Fielder, Stephen C. (Autumn 2023). "The Little Indian Day Camp: 'A Woodland Experience'". SoJourn. 7: 60–61. ISBN   978-1-947889-22-4.
  10. ↑ "A New Museum Joins the Ranks". The New York Times . July 31, 1983.
  11. 1 2 3 Post, Michelle Brunetti (December 8, 2017). "Noyes Foundation donates last assets to Stockton". The Press of Atlantic City . Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  12. ↑ Raynor, Vivien (September 26, 1993). "Folk Art, Decoys And Much More". The New York Times . Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Noyes Museum to close Jan. 10". The Current. December 28, 2015. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  14. 1 2 "Our view: Noyes Museum deserves a new, better location". The Press of Atlantic City . January 3, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 "Who We Are". Noyes Museum of Art. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  16. ↑ Lea, Edward (April 18, 2021). "Noyes Museum of Art building to be reborn as the new LifePoint Church later this year". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  17. 1 2 D'Amico, Diane (November 26, 2013). "Noyes Art Garage opens at Wave parking garage in Atlantic City". The Press of Atlantic City . Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Noyes Museum Receives Dodge Grant of $30,000". Stockton University. July 25, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Who We Are". Arts Garage. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "Current Exhibitions". Noyes Museum of Art. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 "Past Exhibitions". Noyes Museum of Art. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Press Releases". Noyes Museum of Art. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  23. ↑ "'Academic Visions: Southern NJ University and College Art Professors Showcase'". Stockton University. 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Fall Noyes Arts Garage Exhibits Highlight Surf and Skate Scene, Printmaking in Atlantic City". New Jersey Stage. September 15, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "African American Heritage Museum". Arts Garage. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  26. ↑ "African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey". Clio. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Art of Aging: Founder of African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey showcasing Black artists for over 20 years". WPVI-TV. February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  28. 1 2 3 4 "Atlantic City historian Ralph Hunter to receive CRDA's Spirit of Hospitality Award". The Press of Atlantic City. May 1, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  29. ↑ "African American Heritage Museum". SouthJersey.com. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  30. 1 2 "Collection". Noyes Museum of Art. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Noyes Partners with Nonprofit to Create Disability Arts Program". Stockton University. February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  32. 1 2 3 "Press Releases". Arts Garage. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  33. ↑ "North to Shore Festival events in Atlantic City". Stockton University. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Ducktown Poetry Trail". Arts Garage. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Students Collaborate with Artists to Create Atlantic City Murals". Stockton University. July 18, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  36. 1 2 "$1M State Grant to Promote Arts, Culture in Atlantic City". Stockton University. January 5, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  37. ↑ "ACUA Recycled Art on display at the Noyes Museum through Feb. 26". DownBeach. January 6, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Visual Arts Program Internship Opportunities". Stockton University. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Volunteer". Noyes Museum of Art. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Visitor Information". Noyes Museum of Art. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  41. 1 2 Staff (September 4, 2024). "Anne R. Fabbri, retired museum director, adjunct professor, and prolific art critic, has died at 98". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  42. ↑ "A Look at Local History: The Noyes Museum of Art". Shore Magazine. February 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  43. 1 2 3 "Staff Spotlight: Michael Cagno". Stockton University. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  44. 1 2 3 4 "The Noyes Museum of Art Becomes Part of Stockton University". Stockton University. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
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