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Every Room Tells a Story.
The Shore's Most Creative Stay
At Surrey Beach House, your stay is more than just a beach escape—it’s a creative journey through the Jersey Shore’s vibrant art scene. Each of our 15 boutique rooms doubles as a curated mini-gallery, showcasing the work of talented local artists.
Discover the art. Connect with the artists. Take a piece of the Shore home with you.
Mike Bell
From childhood sketches to a thriving fine art career, Mike has always been driven by a passion for the visual world. After a successful 24-year career in advertising as a graphic artist, illustrator, and creative director, a layoff became the catalyst for his full-time dedication to the studio.
Inspired by observation and personal experience, he creates vintage-inspired realism with retro advertisement aesthetics, particularly reminiscent of Atlantic City's`golden era. His technique blends detailed pencil drawings, layered acrylic washes, and vibrant opaque highlights, resulting in a nostalgic, hand-painted feel. A native of Atlantic City, he draws from its history and atmosphere, with Ventnor City’s evolving vibe also influencing his vision.
Jason Gates
Jason teaches film production at a local performing arts high school and runs his own company centered on film production, photography, and graphic design. Art has always been a part of his life, either professionally or as a creative outlet.
Jason is drawn to themes involving the beach, wildlife, or pop culture. Each piece of art he makes is different, with an approach that always evolves. The one thing that stays consistent is the focus on storytelling. One day, he might use a camera; another day, acrylics or even a sharpie. Jason believes that a good artist stays versatile and story-driven.
John Morris
NYC's vibrant energy ignited John Morris's creativity, sparked by graffiti, museums, and comics. This early exposure shaped his free-flowing, expressive style. His work features abstract strokes and mixed media, exploring movement, identity, and emotion, with spray paint and India ink enabling spontaneous expression.
A pivotal year of figure drawing at Union Hall Arts significantly shaped his artistic journey, pushing him to new forms. Finding freedom in Ventnor City, John aims for personal interpretation in his art, embracing challenges as growth. He remains true to his vision, influenced by mentors, and advises constant creation. He creates art that transforms spaces, engaging viewers deeply, aiming for expanded artistic reach and a lasting impact.
Jon Baker
At 6 years old, Jon's parents recognized his abilities and enrolled him in an adult art class. Since then, has earned degrees from St. Joseph's University and Hussian College of Art. He finds the most mundane aspects of life to be beautiful.
He primarily works with gauche, oil or acrylic paints on canvas, linen or art board. He finds the act of painting to be cathartic - a form of defiance to the harshest realities of our world. His favorite painting "People Wave" is registered in the National 9/11 Art Memorial Registry. This series of paintings transcends the paradigm of life and death and dives into the deeper spiritual meaning of life. They reflect his own ideas of mortality, fear, courage and ultimately acceptance.
Lauren Pipari
Lauren is a fine art photographer based at the Jersey Shore. Her work, inspired by the daily rituals of sunrise and sunset, transcends traditional beach photography. She focuses on capturing the essence of the coast, conveying the peace, inspiration, and energy of the environment through her images.
Lauren's style, while rooted in coastal imagery, aims to evoke a sense of tranquility and inspire viewers with the beauty of the natural world. Her artistic journey is a testament to the power of embracing creativity and finding joy in the process of self-discovery.
Mazi Salartash
Their journey began unexpectedly with a request to create a painting for a breast health initiative auction, sparking an instant passion for art. Maziar's inspiration is found in everyday color palettes, whether in nature or interior design, translating into unique nature-themed paintings. Maziar employs a distinctive technique, using only one brush and acrylic paints to create cohesive color palettes on large canvases, allowing for detailed work.
Encouraging aspiring artists to "go for it," the artist emphasizes that progress is possible even with a recent start. Currently working on more paintings for the cancer center, they plan to continue their artistic development while pursuing studies in science and mathematics, integrating creativity with their academic pursuits.
Tim Smith
Tim is a local artist whose vibrant and dynamic style blends abstract expressionism with realistic elements, a technique he calls 'Spontaneous Realism.' Inspired by his love for sports, music, and the beach, his artwork often reflects these passions. Tim's artistic journey began with a childhood love for drawing, nurtured by a creative family. After a period away from art, he rediscovered his passion, finding it a fulfilling outlet for his creativity and a means for personal growth. Tim's work often incorporates bold colors and expressive brushstrokes, aiming to evoke positive energy and emotions in viewers.
Tim continues to evolve his artistic practice, exploring new techniques and pursuing personal projects, including large- scale murals and solo exhibitions.
Russ Simmons
Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of New Jersey, Russ is an artist whose boundless creativity is fueled by vibrant hues and captivating perspectives. His artistic journey showcases his versatility, effortlessly navigating various styles with a mastery of oil, acrylic, and acrylic latex. Through a symphony of colors and emotions, he has made his mark by transforming commercial spaces across Cape May County into immersive, living canvases that leave lasting impressions.
Beyond his personal creations, he embraces the role of educator, sharing his expertise with budding artists of all ages. His passion for teaching is evident as he nurtures creativity in both children and adults, guiding them on their artistic journeys with the same magic that flows through his brush.
Theresa Kennesh
Her family nurtured her passion for art from an early age where she grew up in Atlantic County. Throughout the years, she pursued her love of art by taking classes and working alongside local artists, all while building a career as an educator. Her artistic journey flourished through participation in local artist showcases and gallery exhibitions. And after 32 years of teaching, she dedicated herself entirely to painting.
Her artwork captures movement and energy using bold colors, drawing inspiration from nature, particularly the sea and sky. She allows her intuition to guide her creative process, using various tools like brushes, palette knives, brayers, and anything that sparks inspiration.
Vadim Kharchenko
Vadim's journey as a metal abstract artist began unexpectedly but stemmed from a deep fascination with sculpture. Experimenting with metal’s transformative properties—bending, welding, and oxidizing—evolved into his artistic practice, shifting from function to form and emotion.
Inspired by geometric patterns and architecture, Vadim explored contrasts between industrial materials and organic forms. He sketches textures and shapes from everyday life, allowing metal’s manipulation to guide his work. His style balances raw industrial elements with refined finishes, using stainless steel, Corten, and bronze to create tension between weight and fluidity.
Kristian Gonyea
Kristian is a photographer whose passion for the art form ignited during a backpacking trip through Europe. Inspired by the stunning Swiss Alps, he pursued his newfound interest, enrolling in photography studies at Stockton College.
His work often explores the grittier side of life, drawing inspiration from the urban landscapes of Atlantic City. He also finds solace and inspiration in the quiet beauty of early mornings, capturing the serenity of the Jersey Shore and the grandeur of mountain vistas.
He continues to evolve as an artist, constantly seeking new challenges and striving for continuous growth.
Laura Birnbohm
From an early age, Laura has been passionate about both art and marine life. Though she pursued a degree in marine biology, her love for painting never faded. Over time, she blended these two worlds, using the sea and wildlife as recurring themes in her artwork. She works mainly with acrylics and watercolors, often incorporating unique techniques like using salt water and salt crystals to add texture and symbolism tied to marine inspiration.
Laura's artistic style ranges from realism to abstract, depending on what moves her in the moment. She is also deeply inspired by travel and her work caring for animals.
Dunes Art Gallery
Dunes Art Gallery, based in Brigantine, specializes in murals and contemporary art from tri-state artists. Resident artists Charles and Randi Barbin, bring decades of experience in art, fashion, and music. Charles, a Brigantine native and Tyler Temple School of Art graduate, worked with the Philadelphia Mural Arts program and painted internationally, including in Rome. His passion led him to open the gallery with his wife, Randi, a self-taught artist and collector who refined her craft during the pandemic and exhibited regionally.
Dunes Gallery blends contemporary art and fashion, reflecting the diversity and energy of the New Jersey Shore.