Peace of Wood OCNJ
Marshall, Kristina, & Yemaya Young
They began their Peace of Wood journey at 1112 Asbury Avenue back in 2016, and now they are located at 345 West Avenue Ocean City New Jersey. Their space includes a wide variety of artwork by Kristina Young, artwork from dozens of local artists, music by local musicians, photography, reclaimed wood and pieces made by Marshall Young, and so much more. They have organically created a space that brings in the community and has grown to be one big local family.
KRISTINA:
“I was an elementary school teacher and taught for 8 years and Marshall was a restaurant manager prior to opening up the shop. It all started right after me and Marshall got married in 2013. Prior to that, Marshall was a very creative person. He was always in charge of music and events and and all the bars and restaurants he worked in. I am not a risk taker, so we would always have fun having conversations around having our own space, but I never thought we’d actually do it.
In 2013 we had gotten married, and our only goal after getting married was to move down to the shore. We always wanted to be at the beach. We both love the water and the ocean, so we would drive back-and-forth from Philadelphia. Right after we got married, we moved to Brigantine and started this new life. Which is the life of beauty of being by the water, this coastal lifestyle, and it just looks different than inland.
KRISTINA & MARSHALL’S ARTWORK INSPIRATION:
I had watched Jaws as a kid and was terrified of the water, but Marshall had pushed me to get out there. It was eventually like all of that was erased and I opened up this whole chapter of ocean life and surfing. The surfing inspired me to start painting just from being out in the water having these beautiful, mindful moments, just moments of clarity. I was really struggling with the school systems at this time. Teaching in public schools has changed a lot over the years and I didn’t agree with a lot of what was going on so I kind of was battling with this crossroad. I love what I do but I don’t love the system in which I am able to do it so I was going through this time of depression, confusion, and anxiety. Painting became this outlet that I’d go to, so I always look at art as a therapeutic outlet. I would collect shells on the beach and paint them or paint canvases, and they were horrible. They were so bad. They were literally just words on a canvas with shells glued on and I didn’t care. I loved it because it disconnected me from the struggles I was going through.
Marshall began to set up all my art like a garage sale. I didn’t know that he did it early in the morning. I was so embarrassed until a couple people stopped and bought some pieces of art for Marshall and I ran outside super stoked. I couldn’t believe people connected to the art. Then we would start setting up every weekend on the side of the road in Brigantine and sell it yard sale style. Marshall began building connections with the community, playing music, sharing fruit, and people would stop all day long. It opened our eyes to the idea of “putting a roof over it” and opening a store front!
Marshall got unexpectedly laid off from his restaurant manager position and Kristina stepped away from teaching and they took is as the perfect time to launch this dream of theirs. During this time was when Kristina would paint and Marshall began working with wood. He began making canvasses for Kristina out of wood, and to this day these are what Kristina sells some of her work on! This is how the name PEACE OF WOOD was born. It’s truly an example of making something from the ground up. Marshall convinced Kristina that they were capable of doing it, and the first spot on craigslist that popped up was their first 1112 Asbury avenue location. From then on, the local family began to grow as it has become a space that houses artwork, local musicians, paint jams for all ages, and positive vibes all around. Kristina stated, “We just feel so lucky to be a part of a community that believes in supporting small business. We get to connect with so many other businesses, entrepreneurs, musicians, and local artists. Owning our own space allows us to create our own rules, with no limitations, and that is the most beautiful thing about this place. Anyone is welcome. We’ve seen so many kids grow up in front of our eyes in that store that walked in as customers and are now family. They’ve been a part of our lives, and now they are a part of Yemaya’s life.”
Kristina:
“It’s about so much more than us.
There’s a greater purpose and greater vision.
You have to know your “why”
Your “why” has to be strong and powerful. Through COVID, through all of the different seasons, through moving, through having a baby, there were times it got rocky. I
t’s not about how many times you fall, but that you continue to get back up. Our “why” propelled us forward and our “why” has grown with our addition of Yemaya.”
You can visit their store on Asbury avenue, check out their website, and follow their Instagram! They regularly post updates, events, paint jams, live music, new artwork, and things to do within their space. It’s a space to find a gift for someone, check out a wide variety of local artwork, or find a fun piece of apparel to wear for the summer. You likely will get to meet one of them, and they will welcome you with a smile!
