TOMS RIVER – When Lisa Cifaretto passed away on September 12, the Toms River art world lost not only a gifted artist, but a visionary leader whose heart for community reached far beyond gallery walls. She was 62 years old, yet those who knew her say her creativity, compassion, and energy seemed timeless.
Cifaretto’s journey was as colorful and layered as her resin art. Born and raised in New Jersey, she also lived in Florida before eventually making Brick her home. She spent years pursuing different callings and applied her artistry to her work as a restaurateur, chef and photographer.
That lens for capturing the world never left her, even as Cifaretto transitioned to working with resin and reclaimed wood. Her signature creations were charcuterie boards and custom pieces crafted with food-safe epoxy. She married artistry with sustainability, each item a statement that beauty could be both functional and environmentally conscious.
“She was open to learning any type of medium,” recalled MJ Torres, current president of the Toms River Artists Community (TRAC). “Lisa made sure every new member felt comfortable trying something new, no matter their skill level. She created a safe space where art was truly for everyone”
A Leader Who Transformed TRAC
For seven years, Cifaretto served as president of the Toms River Artists Community (“TRAC”), guiding the organization through one of its most significant periods of growth. Under her leadership, TRAC expanded into a larger space and became a hub where children, seniors, veterans, and neurodivergent individuals could explore creativity.
“She really brought together the community outreach aspect of the organization,” Torres explained. “Those classes and programs weren’t always part of TRAC before Lisa. She helped shape that vision.”
Projects Cifaretto championed reflected both her imagination and her devotion to inclusivity. She also knew the importance of expressing gratitude. What better way to do so than to spearhead the First Responders Mural on Irons Street, a 120-foot tribute that honored local heroes in 24 panels of vibrant paint.
Cifaretto recognized the importance of connecting youth with the greater community. In 2023, she oversaw the creation of a massive 8’ x 10’ Adirondack chair in downtown Toms River’s Huddy Park. It represented a collaboration between high school students, TRAC members, and community partners. The installation became the first official piece of art donated to the town’s new Arts District, a symbol of how creativity could literally shape a community’s landscape.
Facing Hardship With Resilience
In November 2023, Cifaretto suffered a stroke that left her bedridden for much of the next two years. Even while striving for recovery, she reached out to her community through social media, inviting friends near and far to send her small rocks and driftwood.
“I have friends all over this country and out of this country,” Cifaretto wrote on Facebook in March of this year. “I would appreciate it if you sent me just a couple of rocks and tell me where those rocks are from.”
Her plan was to embed them into a small end table that she promised to give away as a gift. She planned to select the recipient by a random drawing. Unfortunately, that never came to be because of her poor health.
“She just didn’t give up,” Torres said. “No matter how frustrated or tired she was, Lisa kept going. That’s something I’ll never forget about her”
Despite her health challenges, Cifaretto’s vision kept TRAC moving forward. Her openness about her stroke inspired members to rally together and push the organization into its next chapter. Membership grew, programs expanded, and the mission she set in motion only became stronger.
Cifaretto’s impact extended beyond board meetings and public projects. Torres remembered how she took the time to mentor her son, who is on the autism spectrum and deeply interested in drawing.
“She would sit with him and patiently explain perspective and techniques,” Torres recalled. “She gave that kind of care to all of my kids. That’s just who she was – she wanted every child to feel like they belonged in art.”
Cifaretto leaves behind her parents, Maryann and Nicola, who lovingly cared for her during her illness, as well as her brother, Nick. Though she did not have children of her own, her nurturing spirit and mentorship extended to countless young artists in Toms River and beyond.
Plans are underway for a memorial at TRAC, where her artwork will remain on permanent display. “She will always have a space with us,” Torres said. “Her presence will continue to inspire every member who walks through our doors.”
Carrying Forward Her Legacy
TRAC leaders are exploring ways to honor Cifaretto’s legacy, including a possible scholarship or endowment for local students. Her commitment to inclusivity and opportunity for all remains the organization’s guiding principle.
For Torres, who stepped into the presidency after Cifaretto’s stroke, the best way to honor her is by carrying on her work. “We are committed to community outreach, to making TRAC a safe place for anyone, whether you’re a professional artist or someone who has never picked up a paintbrush. That’s what Lisa wanted, and that’s what we’ll keep doing.”
Services for Cifaretto will be held Saturday, September 27, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Visitation in Brick.
