Visiting Art Galleries on Cookman Avenue
While driving through the streets of Asbury Park, NJ, I could only speculate about its once vibrant reputation lost in its decayed ruins. Long gone are the amusements and vacation hotspots. Much of the music scene has diminished to only the landmark Stone Pony and The Saint. Both of which have had their own handful of operating troubles.
Many folks high on good intentions have formed “Save Tillie” and “Save The Palace” committees in what seems to be an attempt to revitalize Asbury’s once world famous summer resort status. They feel that these midway style attractions are historically important and should be held close to the heart as monuments to fun.
While the sentimental value of these things is undeniable, I wonder if it has truly been worth it. Fighting to save the face of a clown on a wall or an old building or a ferris wheel while the city slips further and further into an economic and social void seems misguided.
Yes, the misfortunes of this city are sad and I’m not trying to diminish the pain or longing felt by the people who have lived and vacationed here over the years. My own town of Cliffside Park, NJ was once the home of the famous Palisades Amusement Park. In the late sixties and into the early seventies, the park began to lose its luster. The choice was made, after a suspicious fire, to finally tear it down.
I remember the story in the newspaper and the picture of the fireman in front of what was once the Roller Coaster. It was heartbreaking. To make matters worse, in its wake came the building of several upscale high-rise condominium complexes. Many, including myself, were quite angry at the thought of these ugly towers replacing our World’s Largest Salt Water Pool and Kiddie Rides and such.
However, looking back on it now I can see that it was a necessary transition. Cliffside Park has become an important residential ingredient in the NYC stew. Struggling aimlessly to resusitate our dead but historically important amusement park could have sent the town in a completely different direction. But I digress.
This night, I saw hope for Asbury Park in a cluster of art galleries on one particular corner of Cookman Ave.
- Be.
704 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park, NJ 07712 - Doom Urban Space
706 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park, NJ 07712 - Asbury Art
708 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Swarms of all types gathered inside and outside while a boggling assortment of creative expression was being displayed by some of the area’s most talented artists and photographers. Music could be heard bouncing playfully off the walls in the street and all doors were open for us to wander freely among the art. There was an electric brilliance flowing through the hot summer night as artists, curators and patrons alike chatted about this budding art scene.
This is sort of an old story, but it is one that somehow seems to surprise people every time it plays out. Artists, writers and musicians move into a depressed neighborhood because of the cheap rent. They then do what comes naturally and inevitably the neighborhood takes on a whole new aesthetic. One that is pleasing to those who visit, inspiring them to also move into the neighborhood and, over time, inspiring new businesses to open. This type of revitalization has worked in places in NJ and NY including Hoboken, Jersey City, Redbank, Montclair, the East Village, Astoria and Williamsburg.
There is still a long struggle ahead for Asbury Park, but with an open mind, this artistic community could prove to be its saving grace. That is of course if folks stop trying to save carousels while yearning for the glory days and concentrate on saving the city itself. Be a part of the system, buy into the developments and be involved in the city’s direction. There are plenty of resorts and midways that remain and thrive in NJ, in Seaside Heights, Wildwood and many other points in between. Why not let Asbury Park evolve into something more, something better?
