HABITAT: Andy Warhol Nature Preserve Workshops 12/10/2020, p. maurides
Reflection
Our workshop series – HABITAT exceeded my expectations. Covid brought challenges, and also an unexpected opportunity of collaboration and outreach. It offered Laurie Lambrecht and I a chance to visit the Warhol Preserve, to share our commitment to protecting and preserving the natural environment while expanding our own artistic practice within the Preserve and allowing us to design a program that reaches out to the Explorers program - a regional arts initiative for individuals with varied needs and abilities. During our Workshops, we shared our ecological discoveries (both sea + land) and encouraged our group of participants to step outside for an artistic experience with the natural environment.
Covid isolates all of us, but is especially impactful to the disability community. Many of the programs that offer interaction, community enrichment and development of life skills were canceled due to the pandemic. We all struggle with the challenges of Covid, and I can think of no better way to cope, heal and move forward than to spend time outside – outside with trees, birds, and the nourishment of the sea. I feel we reached a vulnerable community in a meaningful way – for the participants, and for ourselves.
During our visits to the Preserve, I learned so much about the natural ecology and varied habitats within the Montauk Peninsula through my photographic investigations. I often felt like an intrepid explorer hiking down to the ocean to see what was new, what treasures were waiting for us on its shores? Each visit was different, the rhythm of nature guided our projects. The wind, the sun, the rocks, the sand, and those magnificent bluffs! Once, when while working, I had an odd feeling of being watched…truly, then glanced up to see a large set of antlers above on the Bluff. I waved and waited. This curious animal watched, and as soon as I moved to get my camera – he disappeared – one of those precious ‘unphotographable’ moments that marked my time spent in such magnificent place.
Throughout our workshops, Laurie and I shared our own individual way of working in the natural environment – our inspiration, our process, and our images. We took many many photographs at the Preserve and were excited to share our adventure and Montauk discoveries with the group. Everyone responded enthusiastically to our ‘story’ – a tale of nature, photography and friendship. We also included a selection of ‘fun facts’ related to the natural artifacts/treasures we discovered – such as the magnetic properties of the garnet magnetite-rich Montauk sand or the abundance of ‘mermaid purses’..aka Skate pods.
We continue to hear from the group, they are so generous with sharing their discoveries and offering us insights from the experience. Living here in Eastern Long Island, we all share the gift of the sea, and the trails and parks that feature a rich diversity of native wildlife. We hope that our Workshops offered everyone the opportunity to learn more about The Nature Conservancy and Montauk Peninsula while also prompting all of us to spend more time in the natural environment for creative expression, friendship, and the calm and wonder that it offers.
~
Below is a poem that I took with me on my first visit to the Preserve. Each visit, I always carried with me a poem or personal relic …and an abundance of gratitude for what the day would bring.
I Go Down to the Shore
by Mary Oliver
I go down to the shore in the morning
and depending on the hour the waves
are rolling in or moving out,
and I say, oh, I am miserable,
what shall —
what should I do? And the sea says
in its lovely voice:
Excuse me, I have work to do.
~
All participant images + poems featured at:
HABITAT WORKSHOP GALLERY
https://www.patriciamaurides.com/new-index-1