Thursday, June 2, 2016

Groundbreaking Collaboration by NSAA, Ocean Alliance, and Rocky Neck Art Colony "Art Exhibition of the Sea and Science" June 17-July 30

Ocean Alliance research vessel "Odyssey"
American writer, artist and philosopher E. Hubbard said " Art is not a thing, it is a way." The historic North Shore Arts Association of Gloucester, celebrating its 94th year, reflects this philosophy with its "Art in Action-Connecting Communities" focus this season, by hosting a groundbreaking collaboration with Gloucester's marine conservation/research group Ocean Alliance, now headquartered in Gloucester's iconic Paint Factory, and historic Rocky Neck Art Colony.
Supporting the Ocean Alliance mission to protect and preserve our oceans and marine life and North Shore Arts Association and Rocky Neck Art Colony's mission of supporting the arts, an "Art Exhibition of the Sea And Science" will be on display June 17 through July 30 in the galleries of NSAA.
Although works of all genres will be on display, the main focus will be works depicting the sea and Cape Ann. A very unique component of the exhibition will be a show and silent auction of works painted on old roofing slates removed from the historic Paint Factory building. These historic slates donated to NSAA by non profit Ocean Alliance provide the substrate used by NSAA Artist Members to create original paintings, each approximately 12' x 24" depicting a myriad images. Bids for the silent auction may be placed June 17 through July 30 by visiting or contacting NSAA. One hundred percent of silent auction proceeds will go to fund the ongoing restoration of the NSAA's gallery building and Ocean Alliance's Paint Factory headquarters.
"Underwater Whales", Donald Doyle
The collaboration also offers an extraordinary series of Ocean Alliance and Rocky Neck Art Colony lectures and performances. This special programming was made possible through partial funding by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The first of the series will be marine conservation/research group Ocean Alliance presenting a lecture "Why Whales?" by CEO Dr. Ian Kerr on Sunday, June 26th, 12:30-1:30 p.m. followed by a reception, open free to the public 2-4 p.m. A dynamic performance/poetry reading, "Sea Change: Reversing the Tide" will be presented by President of Ocean Alliance Dr. Roger Payne - whose profound discovery of whale songs has been a major force in their protection - and his wife, noted British actress Lisa Harrow on Thursday, July 7th at 7 p.m. Rocky Neck Art Colony President and arts and marine conservation advocate Karen Ristuben will present a lecture "Intersection of Marine Science, Conservation, Activism and Art" on Saturday, July 23rd at 3 p.m. All lectures and performances are free with a suggested donation of $5.
To learn more about these three iconic  non-profits visit  www.nsarts.org, www.whale.org, www.rockyneckartcolony.org

NSAA EVENTS SUMMARY:


June 17 through July 30 NSAA "Art of the Sea and Science" Exhibition

June 17 through July 30 Original artwork on Paint Factory slates Silent Auction

June 26 (12:30 - 1:30 p.m.) "Why Whales?" lecture with Dr. Ian Kerr

June 26 (2:00 - 4:00 p.m.) Reception open free to the general public

July 7 (7:00 p.m.) "Sea Change-Reversing the Tide" performance with Dr. Roger Payne and Lisa Harrow, noted British actress

July 23 (3:00 p.m.) "The Intersection of Marine Science, Conservation, Activism and Art" lecture with Karen Ristuben

-Susan Britt, NSAA staff writer

"Single Whale", photo courtesy of Ocean Alliance