Habitat walk, paint-out bring artists to Avery Point

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Doug Andersen of Simsbury set up his easel near the seawall between the campus and the Shennecossett Yacht Club.
Doug Andersen of Simsbury set up his easel near the seawall between the campus and the Shennecossett Yacht Club.

Photos by Judy Benson

Nine members of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society visited UConn Avery Point on Sept. 9 at the invitation of Connecticut Sea Grant. The event is part of Sea Grant’s efforts to reach out to new groups during its 30th anniversary year celebration.
The morning began with a habitat walk around the campus, led by Judy Preston, Sea Grant’s Long Island Sound outreach coordinator. She talked about the history of the campus as well as the rocky shoreline, marsh and island habitats visible from campus. After the walk, the painters fanned out across the campus for a plein air paint-out, using oils, water colors and sketching materials. Works created during the paint-out are tentatively scheduled to be displayed on campus at a later date. More information about the event can be found here.

Judy Preston shared information about the history of the Avery Point campus, including the lighthouse, during the habitat walk.
Judy Preston shared information about the history of the Avery Point campus, including the lighthouse, during the habitat walk.
Judy Preston, center, tells members of the painters group the history of the Avery Point lighthouse.
Judy Preston, center, tells members of the painters group the history of the Avery Point lighthouse.
Preston pointed out two large beach plum shrubs, a native plant, that are thriving atop the grassy hill overlooking the rocky shoreline at Avery Point.
Preston pointed out two large beach plum shrubs, a native plant, that are thriving atop the grassy hill overlooking the rocky shoreline at Avery Point.
The habitat walk hugged the rocky shoreline at Avery Point, where migratory and other bird species including this northern mockingbird often stop.
The habitat walk hugged the rocky shoreline at Avery Point, where a migratory and other bird species including this northern mockingbird often stop.

 

Liane Philpotts of Madison painted a scene at the mouth of the Thames River.
Liane Philpotts of Madison painted a scene at the mouth of the Thames River.