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Here's the link for the revised project goal! If you'd like to contribute, please do so here:
http://kck.st/cSdFkG

Here's an excellent article written about the S/V Denis Sullivan - the ship on which I will begin my travels through the Great Lakes - in less than four weeks!

http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-10885-milwaukee-schooner-denis-sullivan-marks-10-years.html

My journey will begin in Bay City, Michigan - in the Saginaw River. I will board the S/V Denis Sullivan - the world’s only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner.

I will be traveling along with the crew on Lake Huron through the Saulte Saint Marie locks into Lake Superior to Duluth, MN (see the map below - legs #2 and #3). The S/V Denis Sullivan has been selected as the signature vessel representing Great Lakes United. When we are traveling, you'll be able to track the ships here: http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/tsc2010.phtml

Through an intensive, adventure-based, academic program, the ship is designed to provide students of all ages an opportunity to participate actively in all ship’s operations while investigating the different features of the marine environment.

It is also an experiential study of history and culture viewed through the maritime lens. Major topics include: introduction to fresh and salt water ecology, nautical science, maritime studies, seamanship and natural resources. Additional topics covered included: team building, personal reflection, journaling and life skills’ enhancement.

Sailing between communities of the Great Lakes will bring environmental messages to the residents of the Great Lakes via the Festivals. The programs presented will educate the public on the loss and degradation of habitat, urban growth, the invasion of exotic species, and the cycling of toxic chemicals and pollutants. The Denis Sullivan’s journey across the lakes during the Great Lakes United TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® will remind all of us why these lakes are absolutely worth protecting.

The images I'll capture during the voyage will allow me to again serve as a reminder of environmental awareness of our freshwater resources when they are displayed at ArtPrize 2010. I am currently in negotiations with a large venue in downtown Grand Rapids (to be announced shortly) who has offered me a generous display area to showcase my project.

I have been confirmed by the American Sail Training Organization as having a spot on the S/V Denis Sullivan to document a leg of the Great Lakes United TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® 2010 race series.

There's been a sudden rush of preparations in anticipation of such a large project. Fun, but admittedly, a bit stressful...

For example - today I'm filling out a passport application. I didn't consider the possibility of crossing onto the Canadian side of the fence while traveling through the Great Lakes. And I've never had a passport! When I visit my local post office today for my mug shot - I can only hope they'll hurry up a bit - and expedite the need to have the passport issued quickly.

There's been countless emails to various organizers, media pass requests to fill out, lodging and family arrangements outside of actually being on a ship. There's been camera equipment issues. My main camera suddenly stopped working two weeks ago, forcing me to ship it off to its manufacturer for review and hopefully - repair (and not replacement!).

Then there's the whole ArtPrize artist / venue matching application process. I'm pleased to say that my artist bio has been completed online. I've carefully submitted requests to 20 different venues. As of yesterday, my first venue offer materialized. I'll be entertaining the offers for a couple weeks, as a venue must be carefully chosen. ArtPrize venues need to be a good fit for the artwork created and the visitors' accessibility and viewing experience. To learn more about ArtPrize, visit http://www.artprize.org

Last week, I had my first real sailing experience. I was graciously allowed to go on board a large sailboat with the Bayshore Yacht Club out of Lake Macatawa (near Holland, MI) during a race. Since I have almost literally no sailing experience, I feel there's much to learn about the terminology of ships (and how to even walk upright while on one!). The race was exciting and gave me much food for thought on how I can approach photographing from such a unique angle. See some of the Race images here!

Via photography, I will bring the beauty of the Great Lakes via an unusual perspective to a larger audience at ArtPrize (and beyond). Our amazing Great Lakes are under constant threat by toxic pollution, mining runoff, invasive species like the Asian carp, over-development, and unrestricted water use. Almost daily, I am receiving emails warning our Lakes are on the verge of ecological collapse.

Join me in support of stepping out of my comfort zone - in order to capture images that will be uniquely Pure Michigan from a Great Lakes angle! Contributions as low as $5.00 are accepted, and photo rewards are available for those who contribute at higher amounts. The funding covers purely travel expenses such as bus fare, passport fees, possible hotel for a night or two while on the return trip, meals, access passes, and eventual production / installation of the ArtPrize entry itself.

As of today - May 19, 2010 - I have booked my spot on board the USCG certified Denis Sullivan, an educational sailing vessel. The S/V Denis Sullivan is the world’s only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner. Navigated by a crew of 10 - it is a scientific laboratory, with two computer workstations and modern communication and navigation equipment.

The ship will sail approximately the second week of August from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Green Bay, Wisconsin. This will allow opportunity to photograph the Soo Locks, under the Mighty Mackinac Bridge, and all points in between.

The cost of the voyage is $600 - but if you review my previous update, you'll see my approximate breakdown of expenses. $1125.00 for this portion of the journey.

So what is earmarked for the other $1625?

I will also be traveling aboard the Princess Wenonah out of Bay City on July 17 into Saginaw Bay to greet the Tall Ships as they come into port, and covering the entire Tall Ship Celebrations. We will be camping for four nights ($35 a night), plus food and gasoline expenses from Grand Rapids to Bay City.

Then there's the entire cost of production of the ArtPrize canvas pieces themselves. I have already registered for ArtPrize ($50) and am actively seeking a venue for my work. Based on the number of canvases needed to create my entry piece to fit a venue, costs will vary. Last year I produced 18 canvas pieces - roughly over $2000 for materials alone. However, I think this year's exhibit will not contain as many pieces, but rather the very best images on a larger size canvas.

41 days left to go to fund the project. Generous photo rewards for those who can contribute at least $50 - but you can contribute as little as $5.00...

So far, these are my rough estimates of projected expenses for the Tall Ship photography project. Of course, there are variables based on scheduling and unforeseen circumstances - but this gives a general idea:
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Green Bay, Wisconsin

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• Four-day passage on the Denis Sullivan out of Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Green Bay, WI - $600.00
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• Travel from Grand Rapids to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan: 590 round-trip if husband takes me upe – $90.00 in gasoline (one-way) or one-way via an Indian Trails Bus: $55.00
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• Travel to Green Bay, WI to Manitowoc, WI via a Greyhound Bus to catch lake ferry to Michigan: 41.4 mi – $10.00 - $20.00
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• S.S. Badger Ferry from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI - $69.00 one-way
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• Ludington to Grand Rapids - (200 miles round-trip if my husband comes to pick me up): $35.00 in gasoline
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• Possible hotel stay(s) night prior to departure or arrival (depending on ship / bus schedules): $75.00 x 2 = $150.00
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• Extras (food, necessities): $150.00
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Questions? Please feel free to contact me at info@stacyn.com or 616-550-8107.

Please enjoy a slideshow of my images captured on the opening day of the Tall Ship Celebration 2006 - in downtown Bay City, Saginaw River and Lake Huron - July 20, 2006.

CLICK THIS TEXT TO PLAY SLIDESHOW

I realize many visitors to this project may already know me - or are familiar with my work. However, there may be those who have clicked through to this project simply out of sheer curiosity. For those who want a few more details on who I am - and why I am working on this project - read on!

Having grown up on a large farm in rural upstate New York, I've always had an affinity for the outdoors. I attended college in Grand Rapids, worked in Chicago and spent the first half of married life living on the busy west side of Grand Rapids. It seems you can “take the girl out of the farm”, but apparently not “the farm out of the girl!” I soon found myself trying to plant large veggie gardens in our city plot and taking a lot of drives “out to the country” just to appreciate simple things such as cows, pastures and old barns.

Once we moved to a somewhat more rural setting north of Grand Rapids and started a family, I began working my graphic design services from home. While having a successful business out of one’s home can be very rewarding (No morning commutes! No putting on hosiery for meetings! No expensive lunches out!), I found myself staring into a computer screen far more often than I felt was healthy. The lack of fresh air, sunshine and exercise were stifling my own creative abilities.

A childhood friend suggested I take up photography again, and after two years experimenting with a basic point-and-shoot camera, I was hooked. Upon winning a few photo competitions, I began to exhibit regionally at small art shows. In 2007, I was accepted into the Artist-in-Residence program through the Glen Arbor Art. Glen Arbor is located in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area, and for two weeks I roamed the forests, dunes, back roads and shoreline of Lake Michigan. I was awestruck by its beauty, and realized it was a rare and unique place very worth of its special protection through our National Park System.

It was at this point I decided one of my goals would be to share the best of what nature has to offer via photography. If I could somehow share the same beauty I witnessed with others through images, perhaps folks would understand. Perhaps they too could strongly advocate WHY our lakes and lands need protection. I feel our freshwater systems are in more danger than ever, due to excessive overuse, pollution, agricultural runoff and by those who are careless. While politicians from both sides argue over many points, the fact is – it takes all of us to put forth a conscious effort to protect the outdoors. We don’t have to wait for some congressman in Washington to sign a bill – we can pick up our own trash, dispose of waste properly and remind our children not to litter. We can avoid disturbing native wildlife, and take care not to transport or inadvertently encourage the spread of invasive species. We can recycle plastics and batteries properly. We can take CARE.

By using the environmental message provided through this year’s Tall Ship Challenge along with photography, my goal is simple. Take some fantastic images = inspire folks to care about our fresh water and natural resources. Can you considering helping me reach this goal?

Watch a short video trailer of some of my images captured at in the Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore region. Enjoy...