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Salute Awards

Ocean County Lifetime Achievement in the Arts

The Commission has created this award category to recognize the extraordinary achievements and contributions of those individuals and organizations to the quality of life in Ocean County. Recipients are selected from the distinguished list of Ocean County artists representing many art forms, nominated by various individuals and organizations.

Looking to nominate an individual? Fill out this form
Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award
2024: Malcolm Robinson
2024: Malcolm Robinson - Decoy Carver - Documentary
2023: Harry Bower - Visual Artist - Documentary
2022: Mary May - Basket Maker - Documentary
2021: Art Birdsall - Decoy Carver - Documentary
2020: Robert Popovics - Naturalist, Innovator, Artist - Documentary
2019: Thomas E. Rutledge - Visual Artist - Documentary
2018: Eva Lucena Welch - Dance - Documentary
2017: Kate Leigh Cutler - Visual Artist - Documentary
2016: Cathleen Engelsen - Visual Artist - Documentary
2015: Brian Hanlon - Sculptor
2014: Lous N. Riccio - Visual Artist
2013: Francis J. McGinley - Visual Artist
2012: James Murphy - Musician

Pauline S. Miller Lifetime Achievement Award for Ocean County History

The Pauline S. Miller Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a passion for Ocean County Heritage and shared that history with the public. Criteria to receive this award is as follows: county wide impact, active in Ocean County for at least 10 years, advocate of Ocean County heritage, special emphasis on scholarship or teaching about Ocean County history.

Looking to nominate an individual? Fill out this form
Pauline S. Miller Lifetime Achievement Award for Ocean County History
2024: Tom Farner
2024: Tom Farner - Documentary
2023: Gretchen Coyle - Documentary
2022: Eleanor Ditton - Documentary
2020: Deborah C. Whitcraft - Documentary
2019: Margaret Thomas Buchholz - Documentary
2018: Alfred T. Stokely - Documentary
2017: Jeanette Llyod - Documentary
2016: Carl Jablonski - Documentary
2015: Eugene Donatiello
2014: Mary Catherine Kennedy
2013: Claribel Young
2012: Ferdinand F. Klebold

John C. Bartlett, Jr. Government Leadership Award

The commission gives this award to those individuals in government who have demonstrated the highest professional and ethical standards in leadership in the Ocean County non-profit community. They champion the role of the arts and history in the County’s vital tourism industry.
Looking to nominate an individual? Fill out this form
John C. Bartlett, Jr. Gov. Leadership Award
2024: Michael T. Mangum
2024: Michael T. Mangum - Documentary
2022: Bahiyyah Abdullah - Documentary
2019: Elaine H. McConnell - Documentary
2018: J. Mark Mutter - Documentary
2015: Ebony Rivera
2014: Cynthia H. Smith
2013: Barbara W. Steele
2012: John C. Bartlett, Jr.

Virginia E. Haines Historic Advocate Award

The Commission gives this award to an individual or organization that has demonstrated significant efforts to promote and preserve the historic fabric of Ocean County.
Looking to nominate an individual? Fill out this form
Virginia E. Haines Historic Advocate Award
2024: W. Grove Conrad
2024: Kathryn D. Conrad
2024: W. Grove Conrad - Documentary
2024: Kathryn D. Conrad - Documentary
2020: Virginia E. Haines - Documentary

Joseph H. Vicari, Ocean County Tourism Award

The Joseph H. Vicari Ocean County Tourism Award is given annually to honor the business, organization or individual who made the greatest contribution to the $4.7 Billion annual Ocean County tourism industry.
Joseph H. Vicari, Ocean County Tourism Award
2023 Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari -
LIFETIME TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
2023 Emery's Farm
2023 Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari - LIFETIME TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
2023: Emery's Farm - Documentary
2022: Ocean County Tourism Workforce
2021: John Crisafulli - Documentary
2020: Steve Steiner and the Surflight Theatre - Documentary
2019: Anthony E. Vaz Ed.D. and Christopher J. Vaz - Documentary
2018: Lori Pepenella - Documentary
2017: The Storino Family

Special Awards

Art Advocate Awards

The commission recognizes the singular contribution of the award recipients on behalf of Ocean County and New Jersey art communities. The sum total of their civic and non-profit involvement has enriched the shared cultural life of their hometown and county.
Art Advocate Awards
2020: Carol Ann Herbert
2020: Carol Ann Herbert
2015: Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation
2013: Judith Gibson Leone
2012: Ocean First Foundation

Founders Awards

The commission presents the founders award to advocates for the arts in Ocean County have enriched the cultural fabric of our community through the creation of significant artistic institutions in Ocean County.
Looking to nominate an individual? Fill out this form
Founders Awards
2017: Sherry D. Schnepp from Our Gang Players
2017: Sherry D. Schnepp from Our Gang Players
2014: Heather Campagno from Brick Children’s Community Theatre
2014: Loretta Campagno from Brick Children’s Community Theatre
2014: Patti Wade from Northern Regional Cultural Council
2014: Pat Shepherd from Pine Shores Art Association

Special Award

The Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission have created the following award categories to recognize the extraordinary achievements and contributions of those individuals and organizations to the quality of life in Ocean County.
Special Award
2024: Cheryl Kirby
2024: Cheryl Kirby - Documentary
2023: Ralph Bertini - For contributions to the cultural fabric and video production of Ocean County - Documentary
2022: Reisa Sweet - Lifetime service to cultural engagement andunderstanding between peopleof diverse communities in Ocean County - Documentary
2021: Ocean County Memories Founded 1850! - Andrew Anderson - Documentary
2021: Ocean County Memories Founded 1850! - Leon Asay - Documentary
2019: William de Camp, Jr. - Recognition for contributions to Barnegat Bay - Documentary
2018: Joseph Lappin - Recognition for lifetime of service to boating on Barnegat Bay
2017: Richard Morris - Historic Preservation Advocate
2017: Valerie Vaughn - Giving Voice to the Stories of Ocean County
2016: Duane M. Grembowicz - Commissioner Service Award 30 years
2016: Roberta Krantz - Commissioner Service Award 30 years
2016: Sidney L. Taylor* - Commissioner Service Award 2006 - 2012
2015: Alison Amelchenko - Commissioner Service Award 30 years
2015: Sam Christopher*- Dean of Ocean County Journalism
2014:Robert O’Brien* - Recognition for lifetime of service to boating on Barnegat Bay
2014: Roy Pedersen - Recognition for Jersey Shore Impressionists
2014: Janet Larson - Recognition for a lifetime of contributions to the O.C. environment
2013: Louis Glanzman - O.C. in the Revolution
2013: Sheldon Wolpin * - Mr. Lakewood
2012: Steve Baeli - O.C. History Volunteer

Special Recognition for Advancement of the Arts in Ocean County

The commission recognizes the significant and important contribution of these awardees to the artistic culture of Ocean County and New Jersey. The recipients have shown excellences of artist production, support of the general artistic community, and have been a major advocate for the arts at a state and regional level.
Looking to nominate an individual? Fill out this form
Special Recognition for Advancement of the Arts Award
2023: Paul Hartelius
2023: Paul Hartelius - Documentary
2018: June Sullivan
2016: Marshall Kern
2013: Steve Steiner
2013: Mark B. Retacco
2013: Anthony LaGruth

Ocean County Cultural Response Award

The Commission seeks to recognize the people and organizations that have responded to challenges of unanticipated disasters or challenges. The special award of merit celebrates those who set an example by responding to challenges of sustainability.
Ocean County Cultural Response Award
2021: Brick Children's Community Theatre - Regonition for response to Covid 19 - Documentary
2021: Brick Children's Community Theatre - Regonition for response to Covid 19 - Documentary
2021: Lighthouse International Film Festival - Regonition for response to Covid 19 - Documentary
2021: Ocean Professional Theatre - Regonition for response to Covid 19 - Documentary
2013: Borough of Mantoloking - Recognition for historic preservation efforts in response to Superstorm Sandy
2013: Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey - Recognition for Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts

Historic Preservation Awards

Annually, the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission honors individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made a significant contribution to preserving an historic property in Ocean County. The purpose of this award program is to recognize projects that preserve historical resources, heighten awareness of the importance of historic preservation, and acknowledge individuals, volunteers, professionals, and organizations that have been responsible for the restoration, rehabilitation, or adaptive use of historic buildings, structures, sites, cultural landscapes, or maritime properties. Only exterior work is judged.

Looking to nominate a building? Fill out this form!
Historic Preservation Award
2024: Borough of Seaside Heights
Year Awardee * Project
2024: Borough of Seaside Heights: Moreland Carousel Restoration Project Documentary
2023: Long Beach Island Historical Association: The Fisherman's Cottage Documentary
2017: Ken Fredericks & Larry Midrano 1877 The Buhler Masion Pine Beach - Documentary
2014 Crabbe Family 1916 Crabbe Boat House Toms River
2013 Lakewood Historical Society Sheldon Wolpin Museum 1927 Kuser Hall of Newman School Lakewood
2012 Blahut Family *1885 Dr. Edward William's Cottage
2012 Stafford Twp. *1872 Railroad station & 1922 PassengerCar
2011 Pt. Pleasant Borough *Herman Bennett cabin
2010 Twp. of Brick *circa 1880 Hulse House
2010 Brick Twp. Historical Society * Lizzie Herbert House 2010 Ed & Beth King *circa1882 Mount and Buxton Houses
2009 Cynthia K. & Peter R. Kellog * John F. Peto house & studio 2009 Denise & Robert Wahlers *circa 1914 house
2008 United States Coast Guard *the Manasquan Inlet Boat 2008 OC Artists' Guild *circa 1880 Queen Anne Victorian House 2008 Bay Head Historical Society *Loveland Homestead
2007 Elizabeth & Daniel Riechard * Capt. Fountain Jones House 2006-2005-** No award **
2004 Brick Twp. Historical Society *Lizzie Herbert House
2004 Barnegat Historical Society *Lippincott-Falkinburg House
2003 Benjamin & Cynthia Kracauer *19th century Johnson House
2003 Heatwave Café *1914 Spanish Colonial Revival building
2002 Borough of Seaside Park *former U.S. Life Saving Station
2002 Stafford Twp. Historical Society *historic church restore 2001 Twp. of Barnegat *1848 Captain William Cox House
2001 Borough of Island Heights *Island Heights Boardwalk 2000 Hobbie, Corrigan, Bertucio &Tashjy, P.C. *1868 Grant House 1999 Aquatecture Associates,Inc. John Amelchenko & GregoryCox *Fire Company #1Firehouse
1998 Tom & Donna Sierchio *William T. Giberson House 1998 BrickTwp. Historical Society *Curtis Havens Homestead 1997 Division of Parks & Forestry, DEP *Forked River Life Saving Station on Island Beach State Park
1997 Division of Parks & Forestry, DEP * Cranberry Sorting House
1997 James Thomas of Thomas & Sons, General Contractors *1860 Torrey- Larabee Store
1996 Lakehurst Borough Historical Society *Saint John’s Church
1996 Gladys Loveland *1705 Pharo House
1995 Stephen & Leone Chandler *H.Clay Glover Building
1995 William D. & Jane Racko *1824 Horner House
1995 Joseph & Carole DiSantis *The Island Queen
1994 - 1992- ** No award **
1991 * Lavallette boardwalk and beachfront
1991 * circa 1910 Moreland Carousel
1990 Saint Gertrude’s Congregation *Saint Gertrude Church 1990 Joseph Milza *Grenville Hotel
1989 Muriel Kipp *Megargee Cottage
1988 Tuckerton Historical Society *Giffordtown Schoolhouse
1988 Barnegat Historical Society *Barnegat Heritage Center
1988 Historic Preservation Committee of LBI * historic homes plaque designation program & walking tours
1988 David T. Miller, Jr. & Alexander S. Platt,Jr. *one-room school 1988 Admiral Farragut Academy *Pine Beach Inn
1987- 1986 -** No award **
1985 Toms River Seaport Society *Restoration of carriage house
1984 Mr. & Mrs. James D. Caldwell *Stoutenburgh-Minturn House
1984 Mr. & Mrs. Dean Haines *19th century sea captain’s home 1983 Lacey Township governing body * Worden House 1983 Joanne & Michael Hathazi *Preservation of historic House 1983 Dominic & Connie Angelini *Silverton Methodist Episcopal Church
1982 County Board of Freeholders * incorp. Presbyterian church 1982 James Michener *Haddock House
1982 Stephen E. Smith & Patricia Wepprecht *Giberson House 1981 Island Heights Cultural & Heritage Assn.- *Documentary of Victorian Island Heights
1980 Henry O. Tustin *pre-Revolutionary salt box

Other Awards

College Awards

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