A Celebration of Arts and Heritage

Posted: June 3, 2025

The Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, in conjunction with Ocean County College, presented the 14th annual Salute to Ocean County: A Celebration of Arts and Heritage at the College on May 15. The event honored Ocean County’s outstanding cultural organizations, and recognized exceptional local artists, historians, preservationists, educators and government leaders. In addition to acknowledging the recipients of the Commission’s Local Arts and History Program Grants and the 2025 Ocean County Teen Arts winners, the evening featured awards for distinction in the arts and history. Honorees included Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, received the John C. Bartlett Government Leadership Award for her dedication and support to the people of Ocean County after serving a decade as a member of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners as well as spending most of her adult life in the service of her constituents; Ocean County Artists Guild, Ocean County Lifetime Achievement in the Arts; Jeffrey Schenker, Virginia E. Haines Historic Advocate Award; Barnegat Light Museum, Historic Preservation Award; and Senator Carmen F. Amato, Jr., Lilia W. Thompson Legislative Recognition Award.