Jersey shore

Community-Based Coastal Flooding Resilience

public art project

about the project!

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE RESILANCE PROJECT ?

The Climate Resilience Project was created through the collaboration of local and national environmental and Art organizations with the mission to “involve and inform the public about the coastal hazards impacts they will face and what actions they can take to reduce their risk using art as a communication tool.” Danielle Bursk

Organizations include:

New Jersey DEP Coastal Management Program (CMP)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Coastal Zone Management Enhancement Program.

New Jersey State Council on the Arts (Arts Council).

HOW DID JESSICA OSBORNE-MUNGEKAR GET INVOLVED

NJ Sculptor Jessica Osborne-Mungekar was awarded the grant, out of a pool of many to participate in the Climate Resilience Community-Based Arts Program by Ms. Chase Jackson, Executive Director of The Ocean City Arts Center (OCAC), to create public art sculptures with local two barrier islands residents with the mission of helping coastal communities learn more about climate impacts on their community.

WHERE DID YOU DO THE PROJECT?

Jessica built the sculptures in her studio then transported them to the two barrier islands' cultural organizations, The Longport Public Library in Longport and The Rita Schiavo Memorial Library in Strathmere where participants of two workshops painted them. Jessica returned to her studio to out the final touches on the spheres and seal them, returning them to the two libraries for installation. The final sculptures are now proudly displayed in front of both organizations for the public to enjoy, learn from, and be inspired. 

WHEN CAN I SEE THE PROJECT?

• The Longport Historical Museum.

• Location: 2300 Atlantic Ave, Longport

and

• The Rita Schiavo Memorial Library.

• Location: 801 Commonwealth Ave, Strathmere

WHAT DID THE WORK INCLUDE?

Jessica build a determined number of large and small spheres for community members to paint.

She then conducted four workshops with residents from both barrier islands' to create individual 5" and collaborative 20+" spheres.

In each workshop, Using a hands-on, creative painting approach with the participants Jessica encouraged them to paint their stories while thinking about how coastal flooding affects them – before, during, and after storms and how they built resilience. 

After the workshops concluded, Jessica continued to work on the 20+ inch spheres, creating one cohesive picture using the pictures the participants painted. (without changing them ) and sealed them. She sealed the smaller spheres.

Before installing the sculptures,  Jessica built bases for each large one and at Strathmere, the smaller ones too. And lastly, installed them at the two sites.

In celebration, Jessica attended both public events unveiling the final public art. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks to Chase Jackson, Executive Director of Ocean City Arts Center for choosing Jessica to complete this project.

Rickey Gerhardt, Director of Longport Public Library, Melissa Warren, Director of Rita Schiavo Memorial Library, for their enthusiasm and assistance every step of the way.

A resounding round of applause for each of the town's participants for their interest, time, and talent bringing this project to life and creating beautiful art.

A Big acknowledgment to New Jersey DEP Coastal Management Program (CMP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Coastal Zone Management Enhancement Program, New Jersey State Council on the Arts (Arts Council), and Ocean City Arts Center (OCAC).