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The crowd admires kelp-inspired art and products.

From left, Chris Pickerell, director of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s marine program; Steve Schott, CCE marine botany educator and project leader on the Peconic Estuary Kelp Aquaculture Feasibility Study; and Jason Havelin, CCE dive safety officer and habitat restoration team. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Kelp took center stage on Friday night at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s Peconic tasting room. 

The brewery and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program came together to present  Kelp Art + Awareness event, which featured a limited-release kelp beer and kelp-inspired art and products.

More than 13 East End artists and vendors displayed work that incorporates grains and images of sugar kelp blades. Cornell Cooperative Extension had challenged local artists and vendors to create kelp-inspired products, which were available purchase at the event, as a way to raise awareness of Cornell’s pilot program growing kelp in the bays.

Vendors included Life is Grruff All Natural Dog Treats, Nauti Gal Soaps, Dirty Mermaid Beauty, Mana Made Jewelry, and more.

The brewery also poured its limited release of Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s Sea Farm Salted Caramel Porter, brewed with locally-grown sugar kelp donated by the Cornell.

 

Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s head brewer, Pat Alfred, worked in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program to create the Sea Farm Salted Caramel Porter from local kelp.
Vendor Amanda Paulsen of Mana Made Jewelry
Christine Moran sold Nauti Gal Soaps.
The crowd admires kelp-inspired art and products.
Kelp Art + Awareness debuted the limited release of Sea Farm Salted Caramel Porter brewed with local kelp in collaboration with Cornell University.
Kelp Art + Awareness debuted the limited release of Sea Farm Salted Caramel Porter brewed with local kelp in collaboration with Cornell University.
Ann Vandenburgh, part-owner and Kelp Art + Awareness curator, poses with Scott Bluedorn, who suggested creating a kelp-inspired beer last year. Scott’s piece “Kelpie” hangs over the bar in the background.
Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. part-owners Rich and Ann Vandenburgh pose below Ann’s piece, “Floating Forest.”
Michael Johnson, currently residing in Orient, with his wearable piece, “Swamp Thing.”
Southold’s Rachel Neville created watercolors inspired by her work as a program educator at CCE.
Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. staff (from left): packaging’s Lee Carlson, tasting room manager Katie Hoffacker and head brewer Pat Alfred at Friday’s Kelp Art + Awareness event.
August Ruckdeschel and Matthew Kapell of the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning. CCE’s Peconic Estuary Kelp Aquaculture Feasibility Study was funded by the Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program and Land Stewardship Initiative.
Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s Kelp Art + Awareness Event.
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