Resident Artist Christina Trice Brings Joy and Love of Found Art to Atlantic Cape’s Worthington Atlantic City Campus

ATLANTIC CITY — During this year’s Fall Semester, Atlantic Cape Community College’s Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City campus hosted Resident Artist Christina Trice, who brought her unique style of creativity and passion to the College for a four-month Found Art Workshop.

Each Tuesday from 12 - 2 p.m. between September 17 and December 10, Trice brought random items that she would find either around her house or while going about her usual daily activities. These simple, disposable odds and ends became the foundation and canvas for the assemblage artistry created by Trice and those who tried their hand at this artform.

Assemblage artistry is created by taking pre-existing, non-art products which are found or purchased and utilizing them to construct a three-dimensional sculpture piece. It is an artform that truly lends itself to the whims and impulses of creative thinking and imagination.

Originally born in Philadelphia, PA, Trice, who currently resides in Pleasantville, knew from her earliest memories as a child that she had an innate desire to build and create.

“Well, ever since I was tiny, I made doll houses with tissue boxes and magazines. It’s something that I have always been interested in, and now that I am retired, I have been given this opportunity that came at a great time,” said Trice. “I’m loving this. I have always enjoyed creating my own little things.”

After jumping around the country for many years, Trice moved to the Atlantic County area in 1982 and began a nearly-30-year career in the local casino industry where she served as a bartender and room service food server. She retired from the casino industry in 2020.

Trice majored in Art at Pennsylvania State University where she loved studying art, graphics and fine art. Though she did not complete her degree, Trice got married and started a family during this time. Her children ultimately inherited her creative genes while her twin granddaughters, who both graduated from Atlantic Cape in 2022, did as well.

“With my kids, I always had them doing little things. Both of them were very creative and now my grandchildren are very creative also,” said Trice. “I have always let them do what they wanted to do. I think it’s great. Every kid is an artist.”

At the College these past four months, Trice has thoroughly enjoyed teaching the students that come and show a sincere desire to learn how to create these works of art.

“Many times they may not want to do the example I show them, so I encourage them to create what their vision is. If I have the materials, they can do whatever they would like to do. I am not a critic. I can’t tell them what is right or wrong,” said Trice. “But, I can show them the techniques and how to create what I am doing here.”

Each week has brought fresh ideas, different materials and new projects to share with the students and the community. For Trice, her time at Atlantic Cape has been memorable.

“I have been extremely gratified. Ladies come in and they love what they create. They are excited about it. It’s amazing. They tell me, ‘Oh, I can’t do it,’ but I get them to sit down and tell them, ‘yes you can,’” said Trice. “And they are happy that you gave them the chance. They surprise themselves.”

Trice hopes to continue her time at Atlantic Cape if the opportunity presents itself.

“It has been really gratifying for me. It really has.”

The Fall 2024 Community Arts Programming at Atlantic Cape was made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in collaboration with the South Jersey Cultural Alliance, Midtown in Motion CDC, AtlantiCare Foundation and Atlantic Cape.

View a photo gallery from Trice’s artist residency here.

Visit atlanticcape.edu for more information or to register for our upcoming Spring Semester starting January 21, 2025. Visit sjca.net for more information on the South Jersey Cultural Alliance.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.