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The Coral Reef Project

February 10 – April 15, 2018

Coral Garden, oil on canvas, 12 in x 36 in, 2016.

The Coral Reef Project is a mixed media exhibition with a unique sculptural installation that demonstrates the fragility of coral and its ecosystem. This exhibition, curated by Tekla Zweir, Chair of the Art Department at the Williams School in New London, CT, includes research into various species of coral. Included in the exhibition are studies of coral in oil on canvas, 50 individual coral sculptures in an installation to demonstrate a living coral reef, and plaster relief sculptures to represent bleached coral. The juxtaposition of the different sculptures will show the fragility of the reef. Also included are experimental encaustic paintings that utilize Tekla’s underwater photographs of a coral reef that evoke a sense of looking through the water into various reefs. An actual aquarium with living coral from the Cradabel Coral Lab in New London will be showcased in the gallery as well.

The main objectives of this exhibition are to show the diversity of coral species; demonstrate the fragility of the coral reef; educate the public about coral and its habitat, show the connection of science to art; explain the importance of research in the artistic process; utilize art for environmental awareness; and inspire students to create art that fosters critical thinking.

Tekla has studied coral at the Mystic Aquarium, the Boston Museum of Science, and the Key West Aquarium, and has also visited three coral reefs at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida. Her research there included taking photographs, making notes, sketching, and learning about different coral species.

Coral #24, sculptural installation, 2017.

About the Artist
Tekla Zweir earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture in 1999 from Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts in Art Education in 2013 from Boston University. She is an artist and an educator who has taught studio art at The Williams School for sixteen years. She lives in Quaker Hill with her musician husband, Ben Kane, their children Cassius and Scarlet, and their two cats and a dog.

Filed Under: Past Exhibitions

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6:30 PM - Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
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Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
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Grab your friends and join us for drinks and art-making on the first Thursday of every month! Tickets include two drinks, light bites, and creative [...]
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Free First Saturday
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Join us in the art studio from 11 am - 1 pm and create your own Proverb Painting! Join us for landscape painting connected to [...]
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Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
Wednesday, March 8, 2023    
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
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Registration after 3/2: $15 Members / $20 Non-members The Lyman Allyn Art Museum will host Thames River Heritage Park’s winter lecture series, “Stories from the [...]
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Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
Thursday, March 9, 2023    
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
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Join Behavioral Sciences Professor Nancy Parent for a special discussion of the photographs in Where Children Sleep. Afterwards, participants will have the opportunity to view [...]
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Science Saturday
Saturday, March 18, 2023    
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This fun drop-in program, designed for children ages 7-11, encourages participants to explore the intersections between art and science. March 18: In my perspective… Learn about [...]
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Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
Thursday, March 23, 2023    
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Join us for a special Open Mic night! This program is hosted by New London Poet Laureate Josh Brown, known as AnUrbanNerd, and will feature [...]
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Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
Wednesday, March 29, 2023    
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
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Registration after 3/23: $15 Members / $20 Non-members The Lyman Allyn Art Museum will host Thames River Heritage Park’s winter lecture series, “Stories from the [...]
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What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
Thursday, March 30, 2023    
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
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Join Julia Pavone for a discussion on the building blocks of abstract art and how she applies these ideas in her works. RSVP to 860.443.2545 ext. [...]
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Free First Saturday
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Join us in the art studio from 11 am - 1 pm and create your own April Fools Surprise Card! Celebrate April Fool’s Day by [...]
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Events on Thursday, March 2, 2023
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
2 Mar 23
New London
Events on Saturday, March 4, 2023
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
4 Mar 23
New London
Events on Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
8 Mar 23
New London
Events on Thursday, March 9, 2023
Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
9 Mar 23
New London
Events on Saturday, March 18, 2023
Science Saturday
Science Saturday
18 Mar 23
New London
Events on Thursday, March 23, 2023
Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
23 Mar 23
New London
Events on Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
29 Mar 23
New London
Events on Thursday, March 30, 2023
What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
30 Mar 23
New London
Events on Saturday, April 1, 2023
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
1 Apr 23
New London

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Lyman Allyn Art Museum
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Tel: 860.443.2545
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