"Sea Warriors: A Public Art Project" at the South Street Seaport

On September 19th a new public art project, “Sea Warriors” will launch in the South Street Seaport in New York City. Flags of eleven historical pirates from 230BC to 1930 will fly between Front and Beekman Streets. Pirates such as Koxinga, Queen Teuta, Mary Reade, Captain Kidd, Barbossa, Sir Francis Drake and others will hang from the beautiful vintage lampposts throughout the Seaport.

For many years, The South Street Seaport was one of the most important ports in the world, and this project aims to reconnect local New Yorkers with its exciting history. New Amsterdam, the original name for New York, was discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609. The Henry Hudson 400 will mark this anniversary with celebrations in both Amsterdam and New York throughout 2009.

The Pirate Project will help to promote awareness of New York City history as well as the South Street Seaport. The Seaport stands as a landmark of the passage into New York and America. The Dutch, the English, and immigrants from all over the world entered this port as sailors, farmers, merchants, writers, slaves, wives, adventurers, and pirates: a cross section of the immigrants who built New York into the place it is today.

In order for this project to proceed, I am asking friends, family and my community to help support the Pirate Project in any way they can. This project is now sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts, which is a 501c3. You are welcome to make a pledge through Pledgie, but you will not receive a tax write off. Please go to NYFA’s donation page if you would like that benefit. If requested, I can email a PDF of the proposal outline and provide a final budget report at the completion of the project. The minimum amount I need for the project to go ahead is $6,700, while it will cost $8,260 to achieve the project in full.

Everyone who donates will receive a special letter of thanks and invitations to the opening and afterparty. Donations over $100 will receive hand-made items by the artist, while anybody donating more than $500 will receive one of the actual pirate flags used in the project.

Even if you cannot support this project financially, I hope you are able to visit and spread the word. I really appreciate your support for my work, for public art and for standing behind my desire to get local New Yorkers to rediscover once again the historical importance of The South Street Seaport. I look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you,


Michelle Vaughan

www.michellevaughan.net
michellenvaughan@gmail.com