OCEAN CITY — Photographer Kevin Husta, Hammonton, New Jersey, brings his photographs of the docked SS United States passenger ship to the Ocean City Arts Center throughout February. A “Meet the Artist” reception will be held Friday, February 6, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.
Mr. Husta is one of several photographers to be given permission to photograph the docked ship in Philadelphia, Pa. Its fixtures have been removed and the former elegant ballrooms and staterooms have been stripped.
The SS United States sailed during the 1950s and 1960s. Its final trans-Atlantic trip was November 1969. It was the fastest passenger ship travelling from New York to London in about 10 hours. The SS United States offered the elegance and grandeur of the Titantic with safety. It featured first and second class accomodations. Amenities included elegant ballrooms for lavish parties, movie screenings, a swimming pool and upscale restaurants.
The SS United States hosted such famous people as Marilyn Monroe, who used the ship as the backdrop for her film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, Marlon Brando, and Lucy and Desi Arnaz, who filmed a segment of “The Lucy Show” aboard the ship.
Ocean City Arts Center Executive Director Rosalyn Lifshin said, “Mr. Husta captured the current condition of the SS United States in his photographs, while encouraging audiences to imagaine its past beauty and elegance. “The Arts Center will feature stories from local families who travelled aboard the ship. It was surprising to me to find so many passengers who live in the tri-state area and were happy to share their memories.”
Husta, 31, is a graduate of Richard Stockton College. He builds his wooden frames, using materials from abandoned buildings. Husta uses his work to preserve history by photographing structures that are no longer useful and are in decay.
The SS United States Conservancy is an organization that is attempting to save the ship to be used as a hotel or convention center.
For more information visit www.oceancityartscenter.org, or call (609) 399-7628. The Ocean City Arts Center is located in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue. It is open 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday.
Please note–samples of photos will be emailed on Thursday, January 16. Interviews with local residents who sailed the ship can be arranged through Rosalyn Lifshin, 609-399-7628 or rozl@oceancityartscenter.org.
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