Ceramic sculptor highlights impacts of climate change in Gulf of Maine
What do a ceramic sculptor, lobsterman and climate scientist have to talk about? Find out at 5:30 p.m Friday, July 7 at St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle.
University of Maine marine scientist Bob Steneck will join Port Clyde lobsterman Gerry Cushman and artist Nancy Selvin to view images of artist Paula Winokur’s towering installations inspired by Greenland’s icebergs, and discuss how melting polar ice impacts the Gulf of Maine.
Nationally recognized radio producer and writer Julie Burstein will facilitate the talks.
This is the first in a series of public conversations that bring together ceramic art masters, scientists and Mainers working in natural resource-based industries to examine intersections between art and contemporary environmental issues.
The series, “Elemental Intersections,” is organized by the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, in partnership with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Sea Grant Program. Funding is provided, in part, through a Creativity Connects grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.
“‘Elemental Intersections’ enables us to recognize the innovations and contributions of three master artists to the field of ceramics — Wayne Higby, Jack Troy and Paula Winokur — and explore how their work relates to the natural world,” says Fran Rudoff, Watershed executive director.
“Art and science both arise from human creativity, and have inspired each other throughout history,” says Esperanza Stancioff, UMaine Extension/Maine Sea Grant climate change educator. “Many scientists are influenced by artists; many artists create, interpret and react to scientific knowledge. In my work with coastal communities, as in Paula’s work, I see the power of images, sculptures and paintings to evoke and impress upon us how our climate is changing.”
The event is free and open to the public. St. Patrick’s Church, at 380 Academy Hill Road, is a fully accessible venue. Sign language interpretation will be available; contact Watershed at 882.6075. More information is online.