On Friday, September 13, the Second Story Art Gallery, 78 First Ave, Atlantic Highlands, had its grand opening with its first exhibition “Bending Me Powerless”. Located above The Painted Frame, the Second Story Art Gallery is the culmination of owner and artist Robert O’Connor’s project to bring an arts related business and presence to First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands. Taking its name not only from its location on the second floor, but from its focus on work with a story, the gallery presents art and exhibitions with some narrative, fantasy, drama or other feature that inspired its creation.
This first exhibition “Bending Me Powerless” was created during the blackout following Hurricane Sandy by Robert O’Connor. With painterly images of clouds, a lone figure on a beach or abstracted snapped telephone poles and boat sails, these hauntingly rich pictures find something beautiful in the destruction that visited the Jersey Shore last October.
“Bending Me Powerless” will be open to the public until October 19th. Following this exhibition will be “Celebrating the Art of Nano Campeggi”, which celebrates some of the most recognized and iconic movie posters in Hollywood’s golden age.
