NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is thrilled to welcome photographer, Charity Grace Mofsen, as an Artist-in-Residence May 31 – August 5, 2024. Mofsen’s astrophotography will be on display at an opening reception on Friday, May 31 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at 33 Washington Street. This event is free to the public. In addition to Mofsen’s opening reception on Friday, May 31, gallery open hours will be held from 5:30pm – 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting May 31 and ending August 4 at 33 Washington Street (subject to changes). Please check our website calendar for up-to-date hours at: https://www.mariamitchell.org/calendar Charity Grace Mofsen captures the island of Nantucket in all its glory – in light and at night. With a particular affinity for astrophotography, she believes there is always light, if you have eyes to see it. From fine art landscapes to intimate weddings, fun portrait sessions, and creative product photography, Mofsen finds joy sharing her love of Nantucket with the hope that others will also cherish the island’s natural beauty. Returning as an Artist-in-Residence for the Maria Mitchell Association, her work speaks to [wo]man’s connection to the cosmos. Describing her style as meditative, Mofsen highlights the beauty of the island’s contrasts – the solitude of the off-season and the joy of summer, the colors of the light and the wisdom of the night. This year’s show will expand to include new work from off-island locations blessed with dark skies.  “I’m really looking forward to working with the Maria Mitchell Association again and creating new work during this year’s Artist-in-Residency program. This year’s show, ‘A Love Starry,’ will feature my Milky Way portrait series – fine art astro portraiture – alongside my fine art landscapes of Nantucket Island, with a couple of new locations added this year. I’ll also be hosting some exciting events at 33 Washington Street to really experience each piece of work that is on display The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ###

May 27. {1857} There is this great difference between Niagara and other wonders of the world, that is you get no idea from descriptions or even from paintings. Of the Mammoth Cave you have a conception from what you are told, of the Natural Bridge you get really a truthful impression from a picture. But Cave and Bridge are in still life, Niagara is all activity and change. No picture gives you the varying form of the water of the change of color; no description conveys to your mind the ceaseless roar. So too the ocean must be unrepresentable to those who have not looked upon it. Maria Mitchell would tour the Mammoth Cave and the Natural Bridge during her trip to the southern United States as Prudence Swift’s chaperone – I have written of these travels and Prudence before. Niagara Falls is a place she likely saw on her way to visit her younger sister Phebe Mitchell Kendall, who once lived with her husband in Pennsylvania. I was a bit surprised that she feels the way she does about the Cave and Bridge being well-represented by images but I do kind of se her point. But Niagara, the ocean, any moving body of water – she is right. You don’t fully comprehend it until you hear it, touch and taste it, see its colors, and feel it splash, sprinkle, or mist across your face. Niagara certainly mists across your face – sort of like a breezy day at the beach and the salt mist that slowly builds across your face and coats the beach grass so that it shimmers in the sunlight. JNLF