The Nature Center of Cape May is proud to present our featured artists Dale Watson and Janice Quiggle at the Harbor Gallery’s September show which opens on Tuesday, September 3rd. The public is invited to the meet “The Artists Reception” on Friday, September 6th from 4 to 6 pm. Light refreshments will be served.  The exhibit will continue through to the end of the month.

One of our two artists this month is Dale Watson, a local fiber artist. Born in beautiful Cape May County where she grew up fishing, clamming and bird watching, she has spent many hours observing nature, walking near the marsh and beach while viewing the animals that live here. She started her art journey as a painter and after retiring from social work, she began quilting full time. Dale’s “Painted Lady Quilts” are all handmade with nature themed fabric and design that reflect the coastal environment. Dale says, “I practice sustainable quilting, making good use of fabric and batting to prevent waste”. Her love of nature has greatly influenced her art. She has donated her nature themed quilts to her favorite organizations such as the Nature Center of Cape May, the Wetlands Institute, N.J. Audubon, Citizens United for Maurice River and many others for fund raising events.

Janice Quiggle is a multi-talented creative artist who defies labels and any set adjectives to describe her work. Janice explains “it started in 4th Grade when I was accepted into drawing and painting classes at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh where I grew up. It was a great foundation for learning the basics of creating art. These classes went on until the end of my ninth grade. Then it was off to high school where I had a very inspirational art teacher, Miss Bridgewater whose classes included more drawing and painting, clay, paper mache’ and paper collage as well as a Polaroid Instamatic camera to photograph our art and learn about composition.”
Janice was accepted into the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and earned an Associate’s Degree in Visual Communications. Classes taken there included airbrush, photography, illustration, and graphic design among many others. She had a 30-year long career as a graphic artist in Philadelphia.
“All of these amazing art experiences have enabled me to be brave and to experiment in my life as an artist. Andy Warhol once said ‘Don’t think about making art. Just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.’ I agree with Andy.”