Daily Archives: January 21, 2021

Thursday, January 26, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – The Audubon Mural Project: NYC Street Art for Endangered Birds, Online

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If you walk around the Northern Manhattan neighborhood of Hamilton Heights, you’re bound to stumble upon beautiful artworks on seemingly every corner. But unlike other art collectives around New York City featuring an eclectic range of themes, this one focuses exclusively on birds — and not just any birds, but those North American species that could become extinct if nothing is done to address climate change. From stunning designs on storefront security gates to oversized murals covering an entire side of a building, it’s time to explore one of the country’s most ambitious and environmentally-focused street art initiatives, captivating birders and non-birders alike.

Join New York Adventure Club for a virtual exploration of the Audubon Mural Project, a collaboration between the National Audubon Society and art gallerist Avi Gitler that aims to create murals of every climate-threatened North American bird — mostly throughout the neighborhood of Hamilton Heights, where famed American ornithologist John James Audubon once lived.

Led by licensed New York City tour guide Leigh Hallingby, our digital showcase of this incredible collective will include:

  • An introduction to the New York neighborhood of Hamilton Heights and impact of former resident / landowner John James Audubon (1785-1851)
  • The origin story the Audubon Mural Project, which to-date, includes nearly 100 murals depicting over 125 bird species
  • A close look at over 40 murals, along with commentary around the artists and their vision
  • The latest developments in the Audubon Mural Project, from temporary art exhibitions around the city to mural sites in other boroughs and cities

Stick around afterward for a Q&A with Leigh — any and all questions about the Audubon Mural Project are welcomed and encouraged!

Can’t make it live? Don’t worry, you’ll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Leigh

Leigh is a licensed NYC tour guide who specializes in Harlem, Morningside Heights, and the Upper West Side. She is passionate about exploring all five boroughs and beyond on foot, mostly through organized walking tours. Leigh is retired from a 36-year career as a non-profit librarian in New York City. She loves doing research about the neighborhoods in which she gives tours and sharing the information about them with attendees. Leigh is a feminist, collector, genealogist, and lover of arts, culture, and travel. She lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

$10. Register at www.nyadventureclub.com.

Friday, January 22 – Sunday, February 21 – Hatched: Breaking Through the Silence

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To mark the 20th Anniversary of the Esplanade Association’s successful public-private partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Esplanade Association (EA) will present “Hatched: Breaking through the Silence,” a four week illumination and sound experience to provide a family-friendly and physically-distant celebration at the famed Hatch Memorial Shell. “Hatched” will cut through the darkness of the winter months, offering a public space for joy and optimism in the New Year. The work is an original 15-minute visual and sound performance led by Boston-based creative Maria Finkelmeier of MF Dynamics and is shaped specifically for the 80-year-old amphitheater itself.

The projection-mapped visuals for Hatched will celebrate the many sounds that Hatch Memorial Shell performers have expressed over the facility’s impressive musical history. Finkelmeier and her team will feature geometric shapes of musical instruments as kaleidoscope pieces, human hands magically tapping, scratching, and creating beats on the surface itself, and colorful animations accentuating the Shell’s Art Deco form – all set to new music composed by Finkelmeier and recorded by local musicians. Featuring a team of predominantly female-identifying artists and directors, Hatched will bring to light a balanced pedestal, an opportunity for underrepresented communities to “break through” and share their skills, vision, and voice.

Powered by Epson laser projectors, “Hatched” will bring vibrant color and form to the inner surface of the Hatch Shell. With custom-built weather housing for the projectors, the experience presents a rare opportunity to experience projection mapping in the winter months and will bring joy no matter the New England winter weather.

Major Sponsor Algorand is joined by Sponsors MFS Investment Managers and Wayfair, and Supporter Xfinity and donors to the Esplanade Association’s Public Art Program. Projector Sponsor is Epson, and Project Partners are DCR Massachusetts, and AluminArtz.

The event will take place January 22 – February 21, from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, starting every 20 minutes at the Hatch Memorial Shell, best reached on foot from the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. Wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others outside your household. Please note the DCR Hatch Shell cannot be accessed by car, There is no site parking or rideshare drop off on site.