Reading the Wrack Lines

To raise awareness about climate change, Professor of Art Andrea Wollensak launched an environmental project designed to engage the local community.

To raise awareness about how climate change impacts Conn’s community, Professor of Art Andrea Wollensak has launched “Reading the Wrack Lines,” an environmental literacy and educational outreach project designed to engage the local community in innovative learning approaches based on southeastern Connecticut’s coastal environment and our changing climate. 

“The project represents a unique, diverse and inclusive partnership of faculty, students and youth clubs at Connecticut College, UConn Avery Point and Stonington High School. Focused workshops promote local and global awareness of climate issues and provide opportunities for the general public to participate,” Wollensak said.

A wrack line is said to be the debris washed onto the beach by high tide. The wrack can be made up of seaweed, crustaceans, feathers and bits of plastic.

“Reading the Wrack Lines,” a Connecticut Sea Grant funded public art project, premiered on Earth Day, April 22, at 8 p.m. at UConn Avery Point. It features creative writing responses to climate change by UConn Avery Point and Connecticut College students which are used as audiovisual source material within generative multimedia artwork projected onto both the Branford House and the Avery Point Lighthouse. Collaborators for “Reading the Wrack Lines” include software developer and Professor Emerita of Mathematics and Computer Science Bridget Baird and sound artist Brett Terry. The exhibit is presented in cooperation with The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art.

This project will continue into next year with additional support from a recently awarded Ammerman Faculty Research grant, a summer 2021 ConnSSHARP grant with Althusa Lin ’22, and as part of an upcoming year-long hybrid artist residency at the Anchorage Museum beginning in October 2021.