This is Seaweed - a story of our connection to macroalgae and the marine environment.
Ella curated This is Seaweed, a successful art and awareness event, on behalf of Cornell Marine Extension Program’s Back to the Bays Initiative. The show ran from July 19 - 21, 2024 at Ashawagh Hall in Springs, NY. According to local press the opening reception on July 19 “was a remarkable evening with a tremendous turnout. The show highlights the importance of seaweed and community engagement around local environmental issues.”
Artwork ranged from oil paintings to kelp lamp shades. Also included were pressed seaweed compositions made by 5th grade science students at John Marshall Middle School in East Hampton, NY. Ella led nearly 100 science students in a module on water quality, seaweed, and eutrophication, followed by an environmental art project (pressed seaweed) that students were able to showcase in the opening reception. 40% of all sales were a direct donation to Back to the Bays to support their efforts in marine research and restoration.
In a follow up article published by Back to the Bays Ella wrote, “This event was more than an art exhibition; it was a celebration of the power of art and science to drive positive change. Whether collaborating with science students on water quality and pressed seaweed or discussing the wonders of kelp with artist Scott Bluedorn, the intersection of art and science has proven to be a powerful force for raising awareness and fostering community engagement.”
Kryn Olson’s “Peconic Bay”.
In order starting with Kryn Olson’s “Peconic Bay” (left), Scott Bluedorn’s dried kelp on rock, Mimi Saltzman’s “Seaweed”, Sutton Lynch’s “Seaweed Abstract I” and “Seaweed Abstract II”, Scott Bluedorn’s “Kelpie”, Ella Gatfield’s floating seaweed tank, Carolyn Munaco’s “Bladderwrack”, Kim Barbour’s “Weed Waves”.
Night of the opening reception; July 19, 2024.
John Marshall’s seaweed prints.
Bran Dougherty-Johnson’s three driftwood sculptures "Graceful Redweed”, "Kelp and Lettuce”, and “Fish & Deadman's Fingers” and Eliza Gatfield’s seaweed textiles “Seaweed Spirals I” and “Seaweed Spirals II”.
Ella Gatfield before the opening reception.
Kate Kavanaugh’s naturally died silk “Prayers from the Sea" (left) and Remi Berger’s “Alga Lucerna I” (middle) and “Alga Lucerna II” (right).
Idonline Duke’s “Sea Lettuce Imagined” (left) followed by Carolyn Munaco’s “Sea the Weed” (right).
Gray Berger’s “Untitled I” (top) and “Untitled II” (bottom) .
Attendees of the opening reception in front of Adriana Barone’s mixed media artwork and John Marshall's seaweed prints.
Ella Gatfield’s “Searching for Seaweed” (left) and Roisin Bateman’s “Sea Walk” and “Sea Walk II" (right).
John Haubrich “Untitled I” and “Untitled II” (left), Scott Bluedorn’s “Polygon Lamp" (middle), Kate Salke’s “Mother” (right).
This is Seaweed infographic poster 1.
This is Seaweed infographic poster 2.
Information flyer for John Marshall's lesson on macroalge.
Opening reception promotional material.
List of participating artists.
List of local seaweed species.