Jack Devine (right) and bus driver Juanito Mendez, thank the group as they exit the bus back at the OCAC.
by LISA SPENGLER
Ocean City is located within driving distance of major East Coast cities, including Washington, D.C. and New York City (NYC).However, for many, including myself, the mere thought of driving into those cities is pretty scary and between gas, tolls, tunnel fees and parking, is highly expensive.
But, thanks to the Ocean City Arts Center (OCAC), someone else can do the driving. And it is far more cost effective.
On Oct. 24, the OCAC, located on the second floor of 1735 Simpson Avenue, solved the problem of driving into NYC with one of its most popular events – the bus trip.
The trip to Hudson Yards, included visiting NYC’s newest attraction called the “Vessel.” The Vessel is one of the best interactive works of public art, comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs—almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings -- which offers remarkable views of the city, the river and the New Jersey skyline.
The many trips offered by OCAC provide residents of Ocean City and surrounding areas with the opportunity to relax on their ride to fascinating cities filled with historic and modern architectural structures and exhibits.
They also fulfill the mission of the OCAC which is “to engage the individuals and communities of Southern New Jersey in the kind of participation in the visual and performing arts that leads to individual and collective fulfillment.”
Jack Devine, a Historical Studies adjunct professor at Stockton University, has been president of the Board of Trustees for 25 years. His mother, Ruth, was one of the founding members of the art center.
In 1962, the city agreed to hold an arts festival on the boardwalk.
“If the show was successful, it would lead into a year-round arts center,” said Devine. “And here we are today.”
With the bus driver, Juanito Mendez doing all the work, the group experienced their first visual art display of the day. It was the bright, orange sun rising above the Ocean City skyline.
It was then that you knew that the weather would be perfect for a day of walking throughout the city, for climbing the Vessel and for experiencing the excitement that NYC has to offer.
Marian Talese, vice president of the art center, welcomed everyone to the trip and shared a few interesting facts and important instructions for the day.
Whether you’re taking the trip in a group, as a couple or single, the welcoming, friendly atmosphere, coupled with the experience, knowledge and confidence of Devine and Talese, you will likely have an adventure you would not forget.
Organizing a bus trip is no easy task, especially when, in this case, the original trip ran into some unexpected complications and a new location had to be found.
With Talese’s tireless commitment, she was able to plan, organize and offer one of the area’s first bus trips to the Vessel, which opened March 15, 2019.
“It is new and innovative for us,” said Devine. “I was here last week and completed my first climb. Today will be my second.”
The weather was great for a climb or for taking the elevator either up or down or both.
Karen Jonas and Julie Kelleher, both from Medford and Ocean City, were eager to get off the bus to begin their day at the Vessel.
Experiencing the climb firsthand, it was one of the most breathtaking views. Once you make the climb, you believe that there is nothing else in this world you can’t conquer.
The bus trips also provide a great opportunity to meet new people, possibly even an Ocean City neighbor or resident.
Christine and Mark Stanton, year-round residents of Ocean City, have been taking the art center bus trips since 2011. Their trips have all been to NYC.
Ocean City residents Christine and Mark Stanton pose at the bottom of the Vessel before making their climb to the top.
“We love that their trips are during the week,” said Christine. “They fit our schedule and we miss all the craziness of NYC on the weekends, especially this time of year.”
Mark interjected, “And to not have to drive makes it all worth it.”
Thursday’s trip included the entry pass for the Vessel and gratuity.
But you don’t always have to go to the places identified for the bus trips.
Admission or entry fees are not always included in the cost, as is the case with the upcoming OCAC trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. General admission is not included while gratuities are.
One of the Stanton’s favorite places in NYC is the Upper West Side.
“We’ll take the bus to its drop off/pick up location and then walk to the Upper West Side,” said Christine. “We love that it is calm and beautiful.”
“It’s small town living,” said Mark.
He compares Columbus Avenue in the Upper West Side to Asbury Avenue in Ocean City.
“The street is lined with unique shops, and restaurants all in a peaceful environment,” Christine said.
Donna, who did not wish to give her last name, was making her first bus trip to NYC. Growing up in Bergen County and attending New York University (NYU), was eager to join her friend Adrienne on this trip.
She pointed out, “Not driving into the city is a major plus.”
Her Friend Adrienne, a member of the Ocean City Arts Center where she takes pottery classes, introduced her to the art center’s bus trips.
“It’s an easy trip from to Ocean City from where I live,” said Donna.
“I’ll definitely take these bus trips again,” Adrienne agreed. “We go and seek out interesting architecture and today to see the Vessel and the High Line is very exciting,” said Adrienne.
Connecting to the Vessel, is the High Line. The High Line is an elevated railway transformed into a public park on Manhattan's West Side. The park features 4-season gardens,15 ecosystems, and over 110,000 plants.
It provides a lush horticultural experience with unique views of the Hudson River and NYC skyline.
The High Line stands 30 feet over street level and stretches 1.45 miles around the Hudson Yards neighborhood.
Julie Kelleher and Karen Jonas, both from Medford and Ocean City didn’t know the Vessel existed until they heard about the bus trip.
They were eager to get off the bus to begin their day at the Vessel.
“We had a great day,” said Kelleher. “We went to the Vessel, walked the High Line to Chelsea and Chelsea Market, and enjoyed some food and drinks at Little Spain.”
They both were very eager to check their phones to see the number of steps they took for the day.
They took a short break on the High Line before continuing their walk.
As the bus exited the Lincoln Tunnel for the trip home, the beauty of the setting sun was the perfect conclusion to a day filled with an incredible cultural experience. Conversations within the group were heard to all be the same.
Was it the physical experience of climbing the architectural wonder of the Vessel or the visual experience of seeing the High Line filled with fascinating botanical displays? For many it was.
But for all, it was the experience of relaxation during the ride and enjoying good food and drink all within one of the most eclectic, diverse, and cultural cities in the world.
In addition to the bus trips, which began in 1966, OCAC’s most popular annual events include the Juried Photography Show in April, the Juried Art Show in November, and the ever popular, Boardwalk Art Show in August.
The center also offers a variety of classes featured in one of its three large studios with northern lights and a dance studio, music room, pottery studio and reference library.
The next bus trip to NYC is to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Thursday, December 5.
To make a reservation or for more information on the Ocean City Arts Center, visit http://www.oceancityartscenter.org or call 609-399-7628.
Jack Devine (right) and bus driver Juanito Mendez, thank the group as they exit the bus back at the Ocean City Arts Center.
