Galloway, N.J. – The Mr. and Mrs. Fred Winslow Noyes Foundation and The Noyes Museum of Art today announced the transfer of ownership of the art museum and artwork, both formerly located in the Oceanville section of Galloway, to Stockton University. The Noyes Foundation will continue to provide annual bequests to the university, primarily to support art acquisition.

Stockton initially will expand The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University’s footprint at Kramer Hall, at 30 Front St., Hammonton, N.J., and will designate a permanent location in the future. The Noyes Foundation retains ownership of the museum’s former Oceanville location, which is currently for sale.

“The Noyes Museum has been an arts and culture icon in South Jersey since 1983, and Stockton is very excited to continue this tradition,” said Stockton President Harvey Kesselman. “Having a museum of this caliber adds great value to our students’ experiences and offers a number of opportunities to appreciate art and engage in cultural activities.”  

The Noyes Museum already has strong ties to the university, including installations at satellite facilities in the Arts Garage and Sculpture Walk in Atlantic City, N.J. and at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway, N.J. It is a key partner in Hammonton’s Arts District and operates the Noyes Museum Gallery in Stockton’s Kramer Hall, where museum and university staff collaborate with other groups to present exhibits including the upcoming show, “Hammonton: 150 Years of Agriculture,” from Aug. 22-Dec. 31 during the town’s Sesquicentennial.                                      

 

The Noyes Museum Shop on South Second Street showcases and sells original artwork, jewelry and ceramics by regional artists and offers custom framing. In addition, the museum provides traveling exhibitions throughout the year at facilities of partners including Shore Medical Center and AtlantiCare.    

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Mr. and Mrs. Fred Winslow Noyes Foundation, I am excited that the Noyes Museum of Art’s lengthy partnership with Stockton University is now  culminating in the university’s ownership and operation of the museum,” said Michael Hyett, president of the Noyes Foundation board. “This agreement protects and serves the interests of all parties and, especially, the people of our region who have for so long supported the museum as an organization of distinction. I anticipate that the university will wholeheartedly preserve the mission and vision of the museum board, the foundation board and, most importantly, our founders, Fred and Ethel Noyes, who would be extremely proud that their creation has come so far.”

Hyett said an advisory committee consisting of members of the Stockton community and the museum board “will help ensure that the heart and soul of the museum will remain vital and a key ingredient in the South Jersey cultural landscape.”

“I’d like to thank everyone involved who helped bring this to fruition and, in particular, Dr. Harvey Kesselman, for his insight, leadership, sensitivity and dedication to fulfilling the dream of the perpetuation of our South Jersey cultural gem, the Noyes Museum of Art,” Hyett said.

“Fred and Ethel Noyes were strong proponents of the arts and created a legacy to highlight South Jersey artists and the rich offerings of regional art,” said Christine McCullough, president of the museum board.  “We trust that the new relationship with Stockton University will allow The Noyes Museum to continue to grow and expand the Noyes' vision.  We look forward to seeing our supporters at all the Noyes locations and upcoming events.”

The Noyes Museum of Art was the vision of local entrepreneurs Fred and Ethel Noyes, who were avid art and antique collectors. Fred was also an academically trained artist who produced many works reflecting his love of southern New Jersey's natural features. His art and personal collection of vintage bird decoys are part of the museum’s extensive collection of 19th- to 21st-century fine and folk art.

“For the past 33 years, the Noyes Museum Board of Directors and the Noyes Foundation have provided leadership and support that has made the museum a cultural hub in southern New Jersey,” said Michael Cagno, executive director. “This has enabled the museum to provide many opportunities for artists and community engagement throughout the region. Stockton’s support for the past six years has been nothing but exemplary and will only provide deeper engagement opportunities to better serve the museum’s members and the community at-large.”

Dean Lisa Honaker, of Stockton’s School of Arts and Humanities, elaborated on how the change will benefit students.

“Bringing the Noyes officially and more permanently under Stockton will offer many opportunities for joint activities and projects,” said Honaker.  “We see opportunities for our students to work with portions of the Noyes collection as well as opportunities for collaborations with other Stockton programs and units, such as the South Jersey History & Culture Center, the Visual Arts program and the Performing Arts Center, which will benefit students and the community alike.”                                                                                                                               

Photo credit: Susan Allen/Stockton University

Photo caption:

Christine McCullough, president of the Noyes Museum board, Stockton President Harvey Kesselman and Michael Hyett, president of the Noyes Foundation board, sign the agreement as Philip Ellmore, chief development officer and executive director of the University Foundation looks on at right. Also present at the ceremony were, standing from left: Marie Ricci, executive legal assistant of Office of General Counsel, Michael Cagno, executive director of the Noyes Museum, Lisa Honaker, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, and Susan Davenport, executive vice president of the university and chief of staff.

#          #          #