Hands on History
Inspiring creativity through historic crafts
What We Do
At Swan Bay Folk Art Center, we want to inspire others to create pieces of their own history
by making high quality traditional crafts. We teach others the art and skills of doll making, basketry, needle felting, quilting, weaving, spinning, and more!
Niki and Gary's daughters: Amy, Megan, and Robin
Photo credit: www.jenniferethompson.com
Contact
(609) 652-0366
Mailing Address
Swan Bay Folk Art Center
300 Sooys Landing Road
Port Republic, NJ 08241
Who We Are
Gary and Niki Giberson met in 1975 at the Olde Village at Smithville, NJ, where Gary was the resident decoy carver and Niki worked as the village spinner and weaver.
Since then their love of history and their desire to preserve many of America's traditional crafts and heritage has launched them into many endeavors.
The property includes a classroom for basketry, a barn/studio which houses a workshop for quilting and doll making, a carving shop, a fine arts classroom, and a 1931 Model A Ford showroom. A 1931 gas station replica and Niki's 12 sheep, used for their wool, also share a portion of the property.
Niki and Gary's 5 grandchildren.
Location
300 Sooys Landing Road
Port Republic, NJ
We are located 15 minutes northwest of Atlantic City, minutes off of exit 48 on the Garden State Parkway.
Directions
From Garden State Parkway, North of Exit 48: Head South on the Garden State Parkway to Exit 48. Go onto Route 9 and make first right onto Route 575 (Chestnut Neck Road). Bear right at Route 650, make right at stop sign (Clarks Landing Road). Go under two Parkway overpasses and make next right onto Sooys Landing Road. Swan Bay Folk Art Center is 1/2 mile on the right, 300 Sooys Landing Road. Classroom entrance is the center door in the back of the house.
From Garden State Parkway South of Exit 41: Head North on the Garden State Parkway. Exit through service plaza at milepost 41. Follow sign to Jim Leeds Road and turn right onto Jim Leeds Road. At third stop light (Pitney Rd.) turn left. Travel over Port Republic bridge and make 3rd left (second and third lefts are together) onto Clarks Landing Road (Rt. 624). Go under Parkway overpasses and make 1st right (Sooys Landing Road). Swan Bay Folk Art Center is the third house on the right, 1/2 mile down the road, 300 Sooys Landing Road. Classroom entrance is the center door in the back of the house.
From Atlantic City Expressway Heading East: Exit 12 and turn left at 575 North. Travel approximately 9 miles through 3 traffic lights, one blinking light and 2 forks (bear left at forks). Make 1st left (Mill Street). At stop sign make a left onto Clarks Landing Road. Go under two Parkway overpasses and make 1st right (Sooys Landing Road). Swan Bay Folk Art Center is 1/2 mile on the right, 300 Sooys Landing Road. Classroom is in the center door at the back of the house.