Get in the know with LBIF

If you’re a Long Beach Island regular, then you know the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, located in Loveladies, is a wonderful place to devote your time, getting in touch with the physical sciences or creative arts. If this is your first time at the Shore, then now is your chance to get in the know. LBIF is a great location to spend a warm summer day or rainy afternoon browsing the free Lending Library, relaxing inside the gallery or outside on the porch, while accessing the facility’s free wireless internet, or participating in many of the wonderful classes and special events offered on-site.

Photo by Kelley Anne
LBIF hosts many year-round events, including
recreational activities and seminars.

“Understanding the world around us should be an important part of everyone’s lives,” said LBIF's executive director, Christopher Seiz. “There’s definitely something here for everyone. It’s my happiness to create and maintain these programs for the community at the lowest price possible. There’s absolutely no fee to walk into the gallery, and walking around the gallery is a journey in itself,” he added sincerely.

If you’re interested in learning more about conservation and the environment, the sixth annual Barnegat Bay Day and Go-Green Expo will take place Friday, July 6 from 12 to 4 p.m. Children can participate in hands-on activities in the rain garden and terrapin hatchery, while the adults chat with local businesses and nonprofits about everything from energy savings tips to organic gardening practices.

The 23rd annual Juried Crafts and Fine Art Festival will take place on Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will showcase over 150 artists offering jewelry, ceramics, photography, painting, clothing and more. For just a $5 donation, you can open the doors to a world full of unique arts and crafts, perfect as a souvenir or gift for a loved one.

If you ever wanted to get a sneak peek at some of Long Beach Island’s most beautiful homes, join the 46th annual Seashore Open House Tour on Wednesday, Aug. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s tour will consist of homes entirely on the north end of the Island, including the house in Love Ladies that was recently awarded the silver medal, the highest honor available, by the American Institute of Architects. Tickets cost $45, or $40 in advance. 

If you’re looking for a fresh take on this year’s upcoming presidential election, join National Journal chief correspondent and former Newsweek editor and national economics correspondent Michael Hirsch for a truly bipartisan presentation. "Thoughts on the Presidential Election" will take place on Sunday, Aug. 12 at 3 p.m.

Photo via Pages
Bring your copy of the Six-Word
Memoir Project for Smith to sign.

Larry Smith, founder of the Six-Word Memoir Project and award-winning author, publisher and editor of Smith Magazine, will be in town Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss the project. Smith will lead the event with a discussion on the project’s perception followed by a Six-Word Slam. Artwork from Stafford Intermediate’s Six-Word Memoir Project will also be on display.

If you’re looking for some alone time with your significant other, join LBIF and Plantation Restaurant for the duo’s first-ever Family Night Out. Drop the kids off at LBIF for ceramics and pizza. Then head over to Plantation in Harvey Cedars for a romantic dinner for two. The event will take place Wednesday, July 25 and Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $85 per couple and $25 per kid, $20 per additional sibling.

“Our special events and concerts are really well-attended,” said LBIF's public programs coordinator, Kristy Redford. “Events like the (Seashore) Open House Tour have been going on for many years now and people have been calling about tickets since the wintertime. But our ceramics, jewelry-making, cooking, science, water classes and summer camps are also loved by many,” she added.

“We’re an organization that really wants and enjoys having visitors,” said Seiz. “Everyone should do something at the organization this year. If you haven’t walked through the gallery doors at least a handful of times this summer, you’ve really missed out,” he added.

For more information about the wonderful things happening at LBIF, log on to www.lbifoundation.org or call 609-494-1241. LBIF’s summer hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This article was published in The Beachcomber.