Institute with Aqualumina 2024

Saturday May 4, 2024 | Saturday May 11, 2024 | Saturday May 18, 2024

Art

Using the form of recycled material sculpture, the students created artwork that reflected their research and observation of the fish of the Raritan River. With mediums of marker, paper, recycled material, and speech, each student crafted a unique and creative fish sculpture. Each student gave their fish a physical feature, behavior, and personality trait that connected it to one of the three species of Raritan River fish; Sturgeon, Eel, and Shad. During the field trip to Sunbeame Lenape Park, Teaching Artist Dave taught students an original song inspired by the Sturgeon, Eel and Shad titled “Will you Come Join Us?”

Advocacy

Over the course of our three Aqualumina sessions the students learned about three common species of fish that live in the local Raritan River. Then they created fish sculptures out of art supplies and recycled materials collected during an LRWP cleanup at the Raritan River. The fish sculptures are physical representations of the students’ new-forged relationship with their local waterfront, and its fishy inhabitants.

Community

The Raritan River is New Brunswick’s largest waterfront. Unfortunately Route 18 runs between the city and its river severing the community’s connection to it. The sculpture project allowed the students to create a physical relationship with the river and its inhabitants. On the last day of Aqualumina the students took their sculptures to Art Yard, a visual and performing art space in Frenchtown, NJ. They displayed their artwork in a waterfront parade with other community members. During the parade, students were challenged to engage with the other art present and to publicly share their sculpture and personal connection to one of the features in their sculpture with at least one other parade participant.