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Joan Berkey, Folk Artist
​Scott Smith, Cabinetmaker

South Dennis Heritage Arts
707 N. Delsea Drive, Cape May Court House, NJ   08210
609-861-2208   Joan123b@aol.com
www.joanberkey.com

hand-crafted traditional and unique folk art and custom furniture

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Scott and Joan's works were selected in 2020 and again in 2021 by a panel of museum curators and antiques experts as superior in craftsmanship.  They now join a select group of heritage artisans who are listed in The Directory of Traditional American Crafts sponsored by Early American Life Magazine.   View the 2020 directory at www.ealonline.com; the 2021 Directory will be on-line in July.

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Joan specializes in oil paintings that she calls historic townscapes and historic farmscapes.  These are often inspired by mid- 19th-century black and white etchings of both towns and farms that appeared in various books and atlases.  She also does theorem paintings based on historic examples, tinsel paintings (reverse painting on glass), and Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired designs on pantry and document boxes.

Scott specializes in hanging cabinets with painted or natural wood finishes.  He uses tiger maple, walnut, and cherry--often from trees felled near his home in Cape May County.  Most pine pieces are finished with milk paint, that is glazed for an antique look and then coated with a hand-rubbed linseed oil finish.  A self-trained blacksmith, Scott also makes the hinges used on his cabinets.  Many have glass doors (using antique, wavy glass) and scalloped shelves with a plate rail on the inside.  He also makes a variety of tables and chests.



Historic Townscapes and Farmscapes

My specialty!  Using 19th-century black and white etchings or historic photographs for inspiration, I create small oil paintings that reflect how buildings, towns, villages and farms once looked.  I use museum quality art board and oil paints, although some are painted on recycled vintage wood panels. 
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See More Townscapes and Farmscapes

Scott's Furniture

Working in a variety of woods, but always using traditional styles, Scott creates hanging cabinets, tables, and small chests.
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see more of Scott's furniture

Theorem Paintings

Theorem painting, or stenciling on white cotton velvet (or paper), is an art form that was taught to young girls attending finishing school in the early to mid-19th century.  Designs range from simple to complex and from small to large; they often feature flowers, fruit baskets, or animals.  I hand-cut my own stencils and many of my theorems are copies of 19th-century designs.  I also false grain or milk paint the custom-made pine frames for an authentic look.
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See more theorems






Boxes Large & Small

Joan paints wooden boxes of all sizes, some of them made
by her husband.   She also paints a variety of designs (many of them inspired by historic examples) on vintage pantry boxes. 
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see more boxes
visit my Etsy store
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  • Home
  • About
  • Historic Townscapes
    • list of New Jersey etchings
  • Theorem Paintings
  • Scott's Furniture
  • Boxes Large & Small
  • Store
  • Contact