Art
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In conversation with Lauren Oelkers: a community woven through hair
When people picture a hair salon, they often imagine rows of classic styling chairs, neutral colors, and shelves lined with hair products. But at Defiant Hair and Lonely Girl Vintage in Flemington, New Jersey, that familiar image is turned on its head. Equal parts salon and vintage boutique, the shop offers far more than a…
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In conversation with Conni Freestone: proof she was here
Every photograph is, in some way, an act of preservation. For photographer Conni Freestone, whose camera has captured everything from sweaty club shows and wrinkled bulldog faces to classic cars and the changing landscape of Asbury Park, photography has always been about proving a moment existed before it didn’t. That philosophy became the foundation of…
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In conversation with Kenny Bieber: a document of sound
Many would characterize the path to photography as a passion, or even a calling. But for New Jersey-based photographer Kenny Bieber, his introduction to the visual arts could be described as a requirement. Bieber first began his journey as a professional photographer while finishing up his degree in journalism and media studies. Like most college…
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In conversation with Uchenna Agbu: educating future artists
Uchenna Agbu wears many hats: director, writer, arts manager, HR consultant, just to name a few. But her most important hat, one that encompasses her fullest passion and career, is educator. In 2024, Uchenna made her Broadway debut as a management fellow in the revival of Our Town while freelance directing. Most recently, she created…
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In conversation with Zainab Masoud: more than just art
Zainab Masoud is more than just an artist—she’s a political activist channeling her beliefs through art. This wasn’t always the goal, though. As an artist who has experience with still life and landscapes, Masoud says that her political art wasn’t initially on her radar. “[Political art] has just come naturally,” she explained. “I haven’t necessarily…
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Highlighting local vendors at Sea.Hear.Now Festival 2025
Fall festival season is officially in full swing. This past weekend, Asbury Park, New Jersey, welcomed over forty thousand beach lovers to the Sea.Hear.Now music and art festival. For the first time since the festival’s creation in 2018, local businesses were invited to put up a booth. Six stores had the opportunity to showcase their…
