About this project
In 2006, I had the unique opportunity to photograph the beauty of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® race series on the Great Lakes in Bay City, Michigan. When I learned this terrific event was returning to our Lakes and carrying an important environmental theme for 2010, I realized I wanted to document this event in a different light beyond traditional "nice boat" images.
Sailing and the race itself are indeed exciting - and this is a terrific tourism event for those states participating. However, this year's main message is much more serious. Our delicate Great Lakes ecosystem is under constant attack from pollution, invasive species, and careless overuse of water due to the growing population in urban areas. Despite education, people consume and waste water at an alarming rate. New threats such as Asian Carp could seriously disrupt the balance of the rich and unique diversity of plants and animals. Roughly 18% of the world’s surface freshwater is contained within our Lakes and their connecting channels - second only to the polar ice caps!
Despite many good efforts to educate the public – there continues to be a sense of apathy towards natural areas and their preservation - even when educational resources and materials are placed before the public to partake of. Many may shrug their shoulders and think, "What can I personally do? It won't make a difference anyway". Yes, it can! Simple personal responsibility such as controlling fertilizer runoff, disposing of hazardous items (such as household batteries) properly, packing up trash or participating in lake shore cleanup efforts can make an enormous positive impact.
Since the launch of my photography career, I decided one of my goals would be to share the best of what nature has to offer, and strongly advocate WHY it needs protection. The Tall Ship series is a very popular public event. I immediately saw an opportunity to connect the excitement of the Race, with the beauty of the Lakes via another popular public interest - photography.
Educational research vessels such as the Denis Sullivan (home port Milwaukee, WI) will be leading the race fleet. I will be boarding this ship to document a leg of the Race, serving as an eco-blogger on the important scientific studies taking place on board the Denis Sullivan. While chronicling the research, I'm certain plenty of natural beauty photo ops will present themselves, along with thrilling Race highlights.
While I have the proper photo equipment and ability to travel, I cannot personally fund the entire voyage and resulting exhibit. All donations will go directly to travel expenses such as my return bus home, lodging (if needed), meals - and the required materials to produce the large ArtPrize 2010 exhibit.
If my funding goal is not reached by June 29, 2010 - all pledges are canceled, so you will only be contributing if the project is a "GO!”
The images captured will be used on a great public scale via ArtPrize 2010. ArtPrize is the world's largest art competition, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Last year, over 200,000 visitors toured the works on display. If you wish to see my entry from ArtPrize 2009, please visit my ArtPrize blog. Creating a large exhibit for ArtPrize also involves a great deal of planning and expense for materials. I'm currently in negotiation with a large venue and am excited about the display possibilities.
At times while capturing a beautiful scene, I’ve wondered to myself, “Am I just taking a nice photo, or sadly recording some of the last known sightings of this particular plant or animal in our Lakes?” For our future generations’ sake - I hope the answer is no. Please considering helping me to capture images to spur the public's imagination and desire to take personal steps towards conservation and protection.
Official Host Ports
- Toronto, Ontario: June 30 - July 4
- Cleveland, Ohio: July 7 -11
- Bay City, Michigan: July 15 -18
- Duluth, Minnesota: July 29 - August 1
- Green Bay, Wisconsin: August 12 - 15
- Chicago, Illinois: August 24 - 29
Event Information
The Photographer
Questions?
- Contact Stacy at info (@) stacy.com or call 616-550-8107
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
9
Backers
$690
pledged of $2,750 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on June 29, 2010.
Pledge $50 or more
For each backer who contributes at least $50.00, you will receive a commemorative, signed 8x10 matted photograph of an image captured during the event.
Pledge $100 or more
For each backer who contributes at least $100.00, you will receive a commemorative, signed 16x20 photograph of an image captured during the event.
Pledge $250 or more
For each backer who contributes at least $250.00, you will receive a commemorative, signed 20x30 canvas gallery-wrapped art piece of an image captured during the event.
Project By
Connected as Stacy Niedzwiecki (737 friends)
Stacy Niedzwiecki leverages her talents in digital photography and digital art. Her fascination with nature’s beauty has found its way through the camera lens, earning awards in many art and photography competitions. Her work has been featured in the "Michigan 24/7" photography book, Whisper in the Woods Nature Journal, the Rockford Squire newspaper, Michigan Blue and Michigan History magazine and the "Explore St. Louis" official visitors’ guide.
In August of 2009, Niedzwiecki was awarded second place in the Pure Michigan Photo Competition, a highly-competitive event sponsored through Travel Michigan, (a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation) the State of Michigan’s official agency for the promotion of tourism. Some of the 30 images Niedzwiecki captured in Muskegon County are showcased the "Pure Michigan: Spring" book, released in February 2010.
Two of Stacy’s artworks were selected to hang on display at the Governor’s Residence in Lansing as part of the Governor’s Residence Michigan Artists Program from July 2008 through July 2009.
Her most honored accomplishment is the installation of 63 of her nature images at the permanent art collection in the new Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion, which opened June 30, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. These images are showcased in her first book effort, "Healing Images – A Selection from the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion" which was released in March 2010.
