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Newport, RI – In advance of the tall ships returning
to Newport, RI in July, the American Sail Training Association
will be exhibiting the exciting tall ship photography of Wojtek
(Voytec) Wacowski in the ASTA Tall Ships®
Gallery. The exhibition, which is entitled “…down
to the seas again,” will run from July 8th
through December 23, 2004. There will be an opening reception
with the artist from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on July 8th which
is also Newport Gallery Night.
The theme and inspiration of the exhibition comes from arguably
the best known nautical ballad written in English, “Sea-Fever”
by John Masefield. While many are familiar with the phrase
“... and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer
her by...” fewer may be acquainted with other lines
of this literary classic. In addition to popularizing tall
ship culture through his own artwork, Voytec Wacowski presents
a precious and extremely rare book - a first edition of the
“Salt Water Ballads“ by John Masefield. Handsomely
bound, this classic containing the famous “Sea Fever”
is well preserved, and remains a compelling object of maritime
cultural heritage. Only 500 copies were originally published
in London in 1902, and one of the few surviving copies will
be displayed in the ASTA Gallery.
Peter A. Mello, ASTA executive director said “As the
TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE fleet prepares to sail into Newport Harbor
on July 16th to take part in Tall Ships Rhode Island 2004,
we are excited to give Rhode Islanders the opportunity to
experience Voytec’s unique panoramic images of tall
ships from around the world. Voytec’s art charts a new
course for maritime photography.”
“Wojtek Wacowski's photographs capture the majesty of
the sea and the beauty of tall ships upon it,” remarked
CAPTAIN Eric J. Shaw, Commanding Officer, USCG Barque EAGLE.
“As an experienced mariner himself Wojtek knows his
subject. The vivid images he creates truly capture the spirit
of each vessel which comes within his lens.” said Quentin
Snedike, director of The Henry DuPont Ship Preservation Shipyard
at Mystic Seaport Museum.
Founded in Newport in 1973 by Barclay Warburton III, the American
Sail Training Association is a youth education, leadership
development and maritime heritage preservation nonprofit.
ASTA is an international institution with nearly 300 tall
ships hailing from more than 20 countries and sailing all
of the world’s major bodies of water. ASTA, the organizers
the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE annual series of tall ships races
and maritime festivals, is bringing an international fleet
of tall ships to Newport this summer to take part in Tall
Ships Rhode Island 2004 at Goat Island, Newport, RI. (July
16th through 19th). For Tall Ships Rhode Island 2004 details
including online ticket sales go to http://www.tallshipsrhodeisland.org
or call (401) 849-1184.
The American Sail Training Association’s Tall Ships
Gallery exhibits the work of renowned and emerging photographers
and artists that sail the globe. The gallery is located at
240 Thames Street at Mill Street on the second floor. Hours
are Monday through Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm. The phone number
is 401-846-1775. For additional information visit the ASTA
website at www.sailtraining.org.
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