‘Where Light Meets Water,’ Art Inspired by North Sea

Experience art inspired by the beauty of Southampton’s northern coast — where the reflected light of the sky and layered clouds meet the bright green marshes and tranquil blue waters — at the exhibition “Where Light Meets Water: The Art of North Sea,” on view from May 23 to 25, at the North Sea Community Schoolhouse, 130 Noyac Road, Southampton.

The exhibition is part of this season’s programming and supports the North Sea Maritime Center, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people to Southampton’s maritime past and future. The center offers educational programs and creates public access to the Peconic Estuary, all to deepen understanding of the coastal environment and heritage.

The North Sea Maritime Center is currently fundraising to restore the historic Tupper Boathouse, its future home and headquarters.

Part of the ancestral homeland of the Shinnecock people, North Sea is a place of enduring connection, where natural beauty and history are deeply intertwined. The light, shifting across sky and water, continues to draw artists seeking to capture the quiet harmonies and natural rhythms of the land. This exhibition features the work of eight painters and two photographers, each offering a personal interpretation of this timeless coastal landscape.

“North Sea holds cherished childhood memories that inspire me to share its beauty from above — layered landscapes and abstract waterways shifting endlessly with the seasons. It’s a place where natural beauty, community spirit, and a unique culture come together,” said artist Joanna Steidle.

Artist Casey Chalem Anderson added, “Standing before the calm water, open sky, and fragile land spits of North Sea, I feel a quiet stillness and the presence of something timeless. That beauty stays with me, and when I paint, it feels as if I’m reaching for the spirit of the place itself.”

“My work explores Indigenous identity and history through the land,” explained Shinnecock artist Jeremy Dennis. “Capturing images here is a way to reconnect with the ancestral landscapes and waterways of my Shinnecock heritage.”

Proceeds from art sales will support both the participating artists and the North Sea Maritime Center, helping to fund the restoration of the historic Tupper Boathouse and future educational programming for the community.

“Where Light Meets Water” will be on view at North Sea Community House on Friday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (with an artists’ reception from 5 to 7 p.m.), and on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the North Sea Maritime Center’s website for updates, historical information, donation opportunities and more at northseamaritimecenter.org.