By CARRIE FALCONE
Staff Writer
KEYPORT — When superstorm Sandy hit the Jersey Shore in October 2012, many homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.
Additionally, two free-form structures that were 12-14 feet long weighing close to 40 tons that were built by the Art Society of Keyport (ASK), including a mural made from mosaics and painted fiberglass butterflies, were also destroyed.
ASK is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to stimulate interest and awareness of all forms of art in the people of Keyport and neighboring communities, according to a prepared statement.
In January 2013, “The Sculpture Project” began as the organization sought to rebuild the structures with the help of volunteers, private funds and grants.
The members were soon rewarded with two grants from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation, according to the statement.
“The structures are being built with the help of volunteers and by members who help with the designs,” Mary Ann McKay, co-president of ASK, said during an interview.
“The amount of volunteers who assist with the project often varies between 8 to 10 people,” said Peggy Brady, a volunteer who wanted to help after taking an art class at Brookdale Community College. “It also depends on the weather.”
Some of the structures are designed by using concrete, steel and pieces of cut glass.
The pieces that have been restored already include seagulls and porpoises as well as a few curved benches resembling waves which can be seen by the marina on Front Street.
“There are many other structures that are still being worked on as each piece takes close to a year to make,” McKay said. “We have one structure that should be finished by October and another should be finished by 2017.”
For more information about ASK, contact McKay at 973-768-5373.
Contact Carrie Falcone at cfalcone@gmnews.com.
