The Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library in New Jersey is hosting 'Snipping, Sticking & Laughing Out Loud,' a collage art exhibit by artist and teacher Michelle Dillon, on display in the McConnell Gallery through the end of August 2026. Dillon's works repurpose images from old books, magazines, and memorabilia to create layered collages that explore relationships, conflicts, and paradoxes of the human spirit, aiming to provoke thought and humor.
This exhibit matters as it highlights the role of public libraries as accessible venues for local visual art, bringing contemporary collage work to a community audience free of charge. It also underscores the importance of supporting regional artists like Dillon, who combine teaching with creative practice, and demonstrates how libraries can foster cultural engagement beyond their traditional literary functions.