The Art Barge Partners With Cornell Cooperative Extension For “Art And Science” Series

This summer, The Victor D’Amico Institute of Art, AKA The Art Barge, is joining forces with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) for Art and Science, a series of educational workshops lead by CCE’s scientists, in collaboration with Art Barge instructors.

“We are excited about working with the Art Barge to advance our Art + Science objectives,” said Kimberly Barbour, Marine Program Outreach Manager, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. “Inspiring people through science and nature, and having them express their creativity through art, plays an important part in helping foster stewardship of our marine resources.”

The programming will launch on Saturday, June 11th with a Back to the Bays event. The debut will commemorate the scientist’s and the community’s stewardship of the waters that we all appreciate and adore. The evening will feature a discussion with researchers and educators from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Back to the Bays Initiative, which will be moderated by CCE Marine Program Director, Chris Pickerell.

“Our kick off event this Saturday will include a discussion on current issues facing our marine environmental and stewardship opportunities that offer solutions to such issues,” noted Barbour. “The presentation will also feature an overview of the Art + Science Workshop programming line up we are offering with the Art Barge this summer.”

“The water that surrounds all of us is a most important issue,” explained Christopher Kohan. “The Art Barge is honored to host an event that will help us understand how to respect and preserve it.”

The series will continue with The Salt Marsh, Nature’s Water Filter with Rachel Neville and Stacy Myers on Wednesday, June 29th from 4 to 6 p.m. Seine & Sketch with Rachel Neville, Christine Tordahl and Franca Bombieri will follow on Saturday, July 9th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Additional July classes will include Flora and Algae Pressing with Rachel Neville and Stacy Myers on Wednesday, July 13th from 4 to 6 p.m., Light in the Water Column with Rachel Neville, Kim Manzo and Franca Bombieri on Saturday, July 23rd from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Oysters and Scallops and Clams with Rachel Neville and Kevin Cahill on Wednesday, July 27th from 4 to 6 p.m.

August will cover Coastal Plants with Rachel Neville, Steve Schott and Franca Bombieri on Saturday, August 6th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fish in Our Waters with Rachel Neville and Kim Manzo on Wednesday, August 10th from 4 to 6 p.m., and Marine Debris with Rachel Neville, Kim Barbour and Franca Bombieri on Saturday, August 20th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“The founding Director of the Art Barge, Victor D’Amico and his wife Mabel recognized the importance of the natural world, and it’s role in artistic expression,” added Barbour. “Chris Kohan, current Director of the Art Barge, has made it a point to continue their legacy by designing programming and outreach opportunities that reflect the profound role the natural environment plays in our lives and in the art world. We are very happy to be working with such an excellent partner to offer unique Art + Science programs.”

Art and Science classes are $25 per person. During each session, attendees will learn more about the local environment and pay homage to the East End by creating a masterpiece inspired by the area.

The Art Barge is a non-profit arts education organization that is housed in a converted WWI Navy barge moored on Napeague harbor. Currently celebrating its 56th year, The Art Barge, which is currently celebrating its 56th year, remains devoted to the principles of its founder, Victor D’Amico, “that the arts are a humanizing force and their major function is to vitalize living.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County – Marine Program is a non-profit community education agency that was established in 1917. The organization’s researchers and educators work to educate the community about how they can do their part to protect the environment.

The Art Barge and CCE’s Back to the Bays event on June 11th begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are complimentary and available on The Art Barge’s website.

Victor D’Amico Institute-Art is located at Napeague Meadow Road in Amagansett. For more information, call 631-267-3172 or visit theartbarge.org.