Matt Mele’s Vacancy series features the vacant landscapes and architectural spaces of a resort town located along the Northeast.

Wildwood, New Jersey has been a satellite home for Mele’s family since the 1950’s.

With consecutive summers and off-season trips to “the shore” to maintain the family business, Mele has been continually photographing the Wildwoods.

The Wildwoods cover a group of connected working-class communities that run along a five mile stretch of beaches and seaside attractions.
Loaded with mid-century modern architecture and neon signage, the small island destination has seen many changes throughout the years.

Vacancy is an ongoing project to document not only the short term, but the long-term effects of a town that relies on its seasonal visitors.

Matt Mele was born in Newark, Delaware, and completed his BFA in Fine Art, with a Minor in Art History at the University of Delaware in 2016. With a background in painting and printmaking, Mele has turned to analog photography to continue the visual narrative.

His Vacancy series focuses on the close relationship the artist has to a small seaside community in New Jersey. Mele’s focus on the ever-changing landscape is permanently burned onto film long after the subjects are gone. The “here today, gone tomorrow” mentality along with personal ties to past memories influence Mele to continue producing this body of work.

treat gallery is a contemporary art project dedicated to showcasing emerging artists and making art accessible to all. Our mission extends beyond the gallery walls; we are passionate about supporting the community and contributing to meaningful causes. To this end, we donate a portion of our sales to nonprofits and charities in need, aligning our success with a greater purpose.

Established in 2016, we have a focus on photography and its many forms, but also incorporate colorful mixed media, painting and sculpture into our program. Community engagement is at the heart of what we do. Our commitment to affordability ensures that contemporary art can be enjoyed and acquired by all – we offer work and conversation for both a seasoned critic and first time buyer.

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