By: Shane Bagot, Community Journalist
DEPTFORD — From March 8 to 22, the South Jersey Museum of American History hosted its 15th annual student art show. It was an opportunity for college students in the field of fine arts to showcase their creative talents while also understanding what it is like to be an artist today.
Since 1993, the South Jersey Museum of American History has presented South Jersey’s history in relation to American history using artifacts from across the country.
The exhibits include pre-Columbian, fossils, glass and ceramic, antique tools and equipment, Colonial and Pine Barrens, and farmstead.
The museum is run by Jeffery and Barbara Norcross. Now on their third location in Deptford, they continue to focus on South Jersey’s rich, historical heritage. They feel privileged to be able to be a part of the history they are displaying.
The mission statement, “Our museum is not a building filled with artifacts; it’s a building filled with History, told with artifacts,” represents a lot of what they are trying to achieve.
“We take very good pride in the little things. Everything is identified, and we show things chronologically. We’re giving you an education as well as showing you interesting artifacts,” said Jeffery Norcross.
For the most part, the operation has stayed the same for over 30 years. For the last dozen years, though, they have been working with interns, mostly from Rowan University. The students are getting experience, and the Norcosses are still able to feel young.
The idea for the student art show blossomed from their special programs featuring artists they would put on, as it would allow students to see what it is like to continue in the field of fine arts.
“Fine arts is a very difficult field. It’s not easy for these young artists, and they’re going to stay in that discipline. They’re going to have to show their art to different galleries, museums, and municipal buildings, wherever they can. So we’re kind of getting them to start,” said Jeffery Norcross.
It is completely open to any and all college students to participate in. Information is sent out to different colleges and their professors, asking for students. Students from as far as New York have participated in previous years.
Ten student artists have been selected for this year, all representing Rowan University. They allow them to bring in three to five pieces of art to display, not being bound by any constraints or restrictions on what to showcase.
One of the interns, Kendelyn Welsh, participated in this year’s art show, their second year in a row doing it.
Welsh’s mindset for this year was to show off more of their fantastical pieces. One of the pieces showcased in the brochure, “Griffin,” fits the tone to go alongside other common fantasy creatures. They are also displaying jewelry, which is a favorite of theirs they do not get to showcase very often.
Having this opportunity to show off their work has been important for them.
“It’s fantastic. It’s a beautiful museum. Barb and Jeff are total sweethearts, and it’s really nice to have a place that you can display your work, and people come, and they’re interested,” said Welsh.
It is a time for Welsh to be able to practice their skills, market themselves, and display their work. The chance for community outreach and doing the work in the local community has had a huge impact. This was ultimately the goal with setting up this student art show.
“Once they graduate, they’re going to have to go out and make a living. If they’re in fine arts, they have to get their art out there for people to see it. They have to get it out for display, and they have to see it as well. Sometimes they get too close to it. If you’re going to be an artist, you got to get your work out,” said Jeffery Norcross.
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