Xiomaro, an artist whose National Park photography is widely exhibited in the U.S. and abroad, has been offered a second contract with Fonthill Media, a leading publisher in England. Under the worldwide agreement, the artist will author a book of photography about the Wildwoods in New Jersey for publication in 2025. Xiomaro’s book will be part of Fonthill Media’s new series “Photographer’s America.”
The book will feature approximately 160 color and black-and-white images capturing the essence of the Wildwoods, one of America’s best family beach vacation spots. The iconic barrier island is acclaimed as much for its kitschy 1950’s space-age architecture and whimsical neon signage – known as Googie – as for its famous boardwalk, ranked among the top ten most popular in the nation. But there is more to the Wildwoods than the sunshine, blue skies, and quirky motels.
This five-mile strip has an edge rarely seen in other books about the town. Whether they are sandcastle artists, proud owners of souped-up cars, tattooed hipsters, or flamboyantly-feathered mummers, it is the colorful diversity of 21st century people that transcends the Eisenhower-era trappings. Eventually, it all winds down and the playground returns to the island’s less than 13,000 residents. For them, the quiet solitude and starkness of the off-season provides a welcome respite before the Wildwoods awakens and reclaims its place in the sun.
Xiomaro (pronounced SEE-oh-MAH-ro) is best known for his fine art photographic collections commissioned by the National Park Service, which have been covered by the New York Times, Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, and network television news programs. His first book, Weir Farm National Historic Site (Arcadia Publishing), featured Connecticut’s first national park, and his work at Morristown National Historical Park was the subject of the PBS documentary Xiomaro Captures Morristown. Those photographs were exhibited last year at Morris Museum and can be seen at the park’s Jockey Hollow Visitor Center.
Any image or text or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever – including any and all uses in connection with artificial intelligence technology – without my express written permission. Violators will, and have been, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Xiomaro logo by Azul Burger. Photos of Xiomaro by Barbara Cittadino.