Sousa Nautical Bench

Sousa Nautical Bench. . , Every year the Sousa Elementary School’s graduating 5th grade class works with art teacher Stephen Moore and a guest artist to create a collaborative sculpture as part of its legacy. During school year 2007–08, Mayor Robert Weitzner approached principal Dr. David Meoli to submit a proposal to create something for the Bay Walk Nautical Art Museum as their artistic endeavor for the year. Together with Landscape Architect Christopher Crowley, the class planned a collaborative bench that would include an individual artistic piece from each of the 77 students. With the Mayor’s help and funding from both the Port Washington Board of Education and the East End Arts Council/New York State Council on the Arts, two benches were fabricated , one on the east side of the Sousa School and this one you see here., About the Artists , Students chose marine subjects for their work, drawing upon lists of local plant and animal life. Each created an individual piece in clay which was then made into a mold from which bonded brass (resin infused with brass powder) casts were made. As inspiration for the stainless steel and teak bench structure, Mr. Crowley combined the shapes of a fishing net and the nearby historic keel from the International Star, an Olympic class sailboat designed and built in Port Washington. The lovely bench they created also serves a utilitarian function for strollers who might want to rest and enjoy the view., The 77 participating Sousa artists, along with their teachers, principal, and guest artist, are proud of their contribution to the Waterfront Park. Please enjoy the beauty of both their artwork and the natural surroundings.