Exhibit offers fresh look at coastal environment, maritime heritage

Chancellor Talbot, 8, of East Lyme, looks at one of the "Ghost Whales" created by Kristian Brevik that is part of the "Crosscurrents" exhibit of CT Sea Grant Arts Support Awards program during the opening on Jan. 24. — Chancellor Talbot, 8, of East Lyme, looks at one of the “Ghost Whales” created by Kristian Brevik that is part of the “Crosscurrents” exhibit of CT Sea Grant Arts Support Awards program during the opening on Jan. 24.

Photos by Judy Benson

Groton —”Crosscurrents,” an exhibit of the works of more than a dozen artists supported by CT Sea Grant, opened Jan. 24 at the Alexey Von Schlippe Gallery, located in The Branford House at the UConn Avery Point campus.

About 50 people attended the opening, viewing multimedia works ranging from videos to mixed media sculptures and collages by artists who have received CT Sea Grant’s Arts Support Awards Program funding over the last 10 years. The works were chosen to enhance awareness of Connecticut’s coastal environment and maritime heritage. Shown along with the pieces by the award-winning artists are seven paintings by members of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society created during a paint-out at the campus in September hosted by Sea Grant.

The exhibit will continue through April 7. The gallery, at 1084 Shennecossett Road, is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

For information, contact Christopher Platts, curator of the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery, at: christopher.platts@uconn.edu.

Artist Diane Barceló, left, and Cliff Sebastian of Mashantucket share a high-five during the opening of the "Crosscurrents" exhibit. Barcelo and Ashby Carlisle are the creators of "They Came By Water" work in the foreground, and Sebastian recited Native American words for an audio that accompanied the piece. Behind them is "Sea Form," a work by artist Debbie Hesse. — Artist Diane Barceló, left, and Cliff Sebastian of Mashantucket share a high-five during the opening of the “Crosscurrents” exhibit. Barcelo and Ashby Carlisle are the creators of the work in the foreground, “They Came by Water,” and Sebastian recited Native American words for an audio that accompanied the piece. Behind them is “Sea Form,” a work by artist Debbie Hesse.

Christopher Platts, creator of the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery, talks to some of the 50 people who attended the opening of the "Crosscurrents" exhibit. Next to him is Syma Ebbin of CT Sea Grant, co-curator of the exhibit, and behind them is "Starboard," a work by Carla Goldberg. — Christopher Platts, curator of the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery, talks to some of the 50 people who attended the opening of the “Crosscurrents” exhibit. Next to him is Syma Ebbin of CT Sea Grant, co-curator of the exhibit, and behind them is “Four Seasons at White Sands Beach, Old Lyme, CT,” a work by Carla Goldberg.

Attendees at the opening of "Crosscurrents" learn about women who went to sea in "A Further Sea" and "Seafaring Women" exhibits created by Anastasiia Raina and Rebecca Sittler. — Attendees at the opening of “Crosscurrents” learn about women who went to sea in “A Further Sea” and “Seafaring Women” exhibits created by Anastasiia Raina and Rebecca Sittler.

Artist Deborah Hesse stands beside her work, "Swish, Specimen 2.2," during the opening of "Crosscurrents." — Artist Deborah Hesse stands beside her work, “Swish, Specimen 2.2,” during the opening of “Crosscurrents.”

Artist Liane Philpotts of Madison, center, a member of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society, talks about her work to visitors at the "Crosscurrents" opening. — Artist Liane Philpotts of Madison, center, a member of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society, talks about her work to visitors at the “Crosscurrents” opening.

UConn student Annalisa Mudahy looks at three paper, metal and clay works created by artist Ashby Carlisle, "On a Clear Day," left; "Whispers in the March," center; and "On Shore Breeze," right. — UConn student Annalisa Mudahy looks at three paper, metal and clay works created by artist Ashby Carlisle, “On a Clear Day,” left; “Whispers in the March,” center; and “On Shore Breeze,” right.

Scenes of the Avery Point campus done by members of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society are hung in a hallway leading to the room where "Ghost Whales," a work by Kristian Brevik, is displayed. — Scenes of the Avery Point campus done by members of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society are hung in a hallway leading to the room where “Ghost Whales,” a work by Kristian Brevik, is displayed.

Judy Benson is the communications coordinator at Connecticut Sea Grant.