Highlands Borough Arts Council

05/31/2026

CALL FOR ART!
Artists are invited to submit work for a special art showcase during Trudy Fest 2026, a Highlands celebration honoring hometown legend, Gertrude Ederle.

The submission fee is $5, which covers expenses for materials for displaying the work at the HBAC Tent at Trudy Fest.

Fest-goers will be able to vote on their favorite piece. The first place winner will receive a prize of $200 and second place will receive $50 to be paid in the week following TrudyFest.

SUBMIT AT THE LINK IN BIO

The festival commemorates the 100th anniversary of her historic swim across the English Channel—a groundbreaking achievement that made her the first woman to complete the crossing.

Taking place August 15, 2026 in Highlands, the Highlands Borough Arts Council (HBAC) will select artworks to be displayed in the HBAC booth as part of the celebration.

All types of art are welcome — painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber, digital art, and more. Artists are encouraged to submit work inspired by Trudy’s determination, the spirit of achievement, the power of water, perseverance, and/or local pride.
Please SUBMIT YOUR WORK for consideration by Sunday, July 19th. The submission fee is $5, which covers expenses for materials for displaying the work.
Applicants will hear back on whether their work was chosen for display by July 31st.

05/05/2026

Have a short story, poem, or song that you’d like to share? Come to our Open Mic Night 🎙️on Wednesday, May 20th at 7pm at Et Al!

The award winning Henry Hudson Regional Poetry Out Loud team will kickoff the evening with poetry readings. From there, anyone is welcome to take the stage to share their work.

Attendees are invited to share their own original work or read works that inspire them.

In honor of the nation’s upcoming 250th celebration, readings with a patriotic theme 🇺🇸 are encouraged—but not required.

Whether you come to read or simply listen, it’s a chance to connect through poetry, stories, and music.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7 pm
Et Al - 300 Shore Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732

Suggested donation of $10 for entry. Food and refreshments for purchase.

Registering is not required, but we do appreciate that you RSVP ahead of time for planning purposes here: https://forms.gle/MZtiJJnNHuxphren9

04/11/2026

Take in the sights and scenes of Route 66
🇺🇸 through the paintings of artist, as she shares art, stories, and insights from her travels.

In early 2024, Elise set out to paint one of America’s most storied highways - Route 66. Beginning at the Pacific Coast in Santa Monica, she and her husband traveled all 2,400 miles of the route in three trips, driving it “backwards” from the Sunshine State toward Chicago.

Working on location, she created 45 paintings along the way each begun on site taking ~3 hrs at a time until shifting light and changing subjects sent the travelers down the road again.

Attend this lecture on Thursday, April 23rd, downstairs at Bahr’s Landing from 7-8:30pm. Drinks and food for purchase.

Pre-registration is not required but appreciated to help us adequately plan for the event. RSVP at the link in our bio.

This event is FREE to attend. $10 donations are appreciated at the event.

PHOTO CREDIT

04/06/2026

Take in the sights and scenes of Route 66
🇺🇸 through the paintings of artist, as she shares art, stories, and insights from her travels.

In early 2024, Elise set out to paint one of America’s most storied highways - Route 66. Beginning at the Pacific Coast in Santa Monica, she and her husband traveled all 2,400 miles of the route in three trips, driving it “backwards” from the Sunshine State toward Chicago.

Working on location, she created 45 paintings along the way each begun on site taking ~3 hrs at a time until shifting light and changing subjects sent the travelers down the road again.

Attend this lecture on Thursday, April 23rd, downstairs at Bahr’s Landing from 7-8:30pm. Drinks and food for purchase.

Pre-registration is not required but appreciated to help us adequately plan for the event. RSVP at the link in our bio.

This event is FREE to attend. $10 donations are appreciated at the event.

04/06/2026

View art by the renowned Georgian Artist, Ia Arsenishvili, at Casa Santo (the renovated church) in Highlands at 181 Bay Ave, on Friday evening, April 17th & Saturday afternoon, April 18th. Ia will lead a live demonstration 🎨 during each session for attendees to see her process for these very lovely contemporary pieces. Light refreshments 🥂 will be served.

This event is organized by our supporters at Bayshore Recycling! We’re excited to see the transformation of Casa Santo and the beautiful work of the featured artist, Ia.

04/01/2026

Sharing this Call for Art with our community! The 2026 Half Mile of Horses Art Walk will display artwork painted on horses in downtown Freehold. Check out the art from last year here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/60891dd6701b4b61bbcc9bb549211257! They are accepting submissions until April 17th.

It is that time of year! We are getting ready for the 2026 Half Mile of Horses Art Walk and are looking for your creative design submission. Please tag someone who may have an interest in participating. All designs must be submitted by Friday, April 17, 2026.

See the attached flyer with the QR code or you can go straight to our website and click the link for the artist packet.
https://www.freeholdboroughnj.gov/community/neighborhood-preservation-program

Looking forward to seeing your inventive designs.

01/03/2026

Unwind with an evening of haikus and sonnets during our first event of 2026 🥂! Highlands resident and poet, Frank Kozusko, will lead a poetry workshop at on Thursday, January 22nd.

HBAC Members and students participate for free! $10 for nonmembers.

Please register at the link in our bio.

11/30/2025

Bring your holiday cheer ✨, 2026 event requests and ideas 💡, and favorite cookies 🍪 for the end of year Highlands Borough Arts Council meeting on 12/10 at 7pm at the . Open to members and any Highlands residents interested in the local art community!

We’ll announce our upcoming 2026 events and collect ideas on what you’d like to see from us over this next year.

Light fare and refreshments will be provided. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at the VFW.

Please RSVP at the link in our bio so we have a headcount for food.

See you there!

11/14/2025

Don't miss the makers market event the weekend after Thanksgiving. Find exclusive gifts and support talented artists selling their handmade goods. Carla Valentino is one of our featured artist.

10/20/2025

Don’t miss this Thursday’s “The Art of Intention Setting” at The Spiritual Beauty Center on Bay Ave! Business owner and energy artist, Lisa Kochanik, will lead you on a meditative workshop designed to bring clarity to your core values. Learn how to lead each day with intention towards what is most important to you. ✨

Thursday 10/23
7-8:30pm
$33
Preregistration is required here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/252763131190148

Step into the magic ✨ of the season and align with your deepest desires in this powerful group experience guided by Highland’s energy healer, Lisa Kochanik. 🙏🏻

Bring your clearest intention, whether it’s a tangible goal or a quality you long to embody, and together we will dissolve limiting beliefs, release old imprints, and clear energy that no longer serves you. In this sacred space, you will be guided through a gentle yet deeply transformative process designed to amplify your resonance and magnetize your intention to you 🔆

Lisa Kochanik is the owner of on Bay Ave in Highlands. As an energy worker and licensed aesthetician, she offers Energy Infused Beauty Treatments through a unique marriage of highly specialized skin care techniques and energy work.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Registration is required. Limited to 20 participants. Get your tickets now from the link in our bio.

HBAC members and nonmembers: $33
October 23rd, 7-8:30 pm