State of the Arts has been taking you on location with the most creative people in New Jersey and beyond since 1981. The New York and Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award-winning series features documentary shorts about an extraordinary range of artists and visits New Jersey’s best performance spaces. State of the Arts is on the frontlines of the creative and cultural worlds of New Jersey.
State of the Arts is a cornerstone program of NJ PBS, with episodes co-produced by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Stockton University, in cooperation with PCK Media. The series also airs on WNET and ALL ARTS.
On this week's episode... Artist, historian and bestselling author Nell Irvin Painter on her book I Just Keep Talking, a collection of her essays interspersed with her art. Also on this week’s episode, in 1974, high school friends Phil Buehler and Steve Siegel rowed out to explore the ruins of Ellis Island and make a film. With the film’s re-release in the NY Times OpDocs series, Phil and Steve revisit the island after 50 years. And at Two River Theater in Red Bank, the world premiere of The Scarlet Letter, Kate Hamill’s stage adaptation of Hawthorne’s classic tale.
The Council will convene a virtual public meeting on May 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more.
Photo Courtesy: State of New Jersey
The Cultural Access Network will be hosting their 2026 Cultural Access Summit on May 28, 2026 at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township. Join colleagues from across the state for this free day of professional development and celebration.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is proud to announce the creation of a best practice guide for serving systems- and justice-impacted youth through high-quality arts learning programs: The Transformative Power of Art: A Guide to Arts Learning for Systems-Impacted Youth in New Jersey.
Read the full Press Release.
The Council’s virtual Arts & Health Roundtables bring together New Jersey artists and organizations actively involved in the arts and health field, as well as those interested in getting involved. Our next roundtable will be held on May 7th at 2:00 PM.
Photo courtesy of Monmouth Museum
The names Jeanette Littledove, Samantha Strong, and Buck Adams are associated with the adult film industry, a multibillion-dollar sector that has garnered significant attention in recent years. When mentioned alongside the phrase "around the new," it is essential to consider the cultural significance and context of these references. This essay will explore the implications of referencing these individuals and the song title "New" by Buck Adams.
The collaboration of these three individuals marks a specific moment in time—the late 1980s—when the industry was shifting from theatrical film releases to direct-to-home video.
Jeanette Littledove remains one of the most uniquely recognizable figures of the late 1980s adult film industry. Known for her striking Native American heritage, expressive performances, and distinct look, she brought a unique screen presence to every production. Rather than just appearing in standard vignettes, Littledove frequently sought out features with stronger narrative elements and higher production values. Her work in feature-length adult dramas helped elevate the storytelling standards of the era. 2. Samantha Strong The names Jeanette Littledove, Samantha Strong, and Buck
Amorous Adventures of Janette Littledove (Video 1988) - IMDb
: A prolific actor and director who often co-starred with both Littledove and Strong. He was known for his "everyman" persona and appeared in hundreds of titles including Satania (1986) and Crazy with the Heat . Potential Film References The collaboration of these three individuals marks a
“To walk around the new is to honor the void before the crescent. You circle what is not yet seen. You trust the shape of the unseen.”
"Is it time?" Jeanette asked, her voice cutting through the hum of the idle cameras. Rather than just appearing in standard vignettes, Littledove
(1986) , directed by Gary Graver. The cast for this production featured and Buck Adams alongside other industry staples of the time like Shanna McCullough Ron Jeremy Shared Filmography and Context Around the World with Samantha Strong (1989): Samantha Strong
