Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Announces "Oika for Artists" Workshop with Rita Leduc

June 15, 2023

NANTUCKET, MA— The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces that it will offer the program “Oika for Artists” beginning June 22, 2023. The program is a four-part series of virtual workshops, led by the MMA Scientist-In-Residence, Dr. Rich Blundell, and visiting artist Rita Leduc, and will dive into the principles and practices of Oika, which refers to the relational intelligence of nature that can be perceived and expressed through humans.

In this course, we merge scientific concepts with artists’ lived-experience in nature to strengthen creativity and amplify cultural impact. By positioning contemporary, holistic, and scientific understandings adjacent to creative engagement with the outside world, individualized creative practices are supported, enhanced, and empowered.


· Week One (June 22): Who are you? How did light become you? What is the purpose of your artwork? What does the physics of the early universe tell us about the interconnectivity of all things?

· Week Two (June 29): Where are you? How did humans join the family of galactic phenomena? How are you connected to your place? What celestial features surround you?

· Week Three (July 6): A special planet emerges. What is your creative practice? How does life and intelligence flourish here? How is your practice connected to who and where you are?

· Week Four (July 13): What does it mean to be prosperous? What does it mean to be an Earthling? How does who, where, and how you are relate to your creative prosperity? How do Earthlings hold within them the creativity and prosperity of all humanity? What can we do with it?

Optional engagements:


*A weekly “studio hour” for in-depth conversation on individual artwork and practices. Time TBD.


**In-person, on-island experiences that guide participants in direct engagement and co-creation with place. July 8 and 9.

This course is designed for self-identifying adult creatives of any discipline. The format includes viewing and discussing short films, online conversation, and individual practices. This program meets weekly on Zoom from 6pm - 7:30pm. Pre-Registration is required for this progressive workshop which is a 4-week series. To register, please visit this page.


Cost per-participant: $150

Registration deadline: June 21, 2023 (6pm)

Program dates: June 22, 29, July 6 and 13


Contact email: rblundell@mariamitchell.org

 

The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. 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.

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For Immediate Release

June 15, 2023

Contact: Molly Mosscrop,

mmosscrop@gmail.com

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Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

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April 1878. The conference of Woman’s Congress officers met in Washington. Because we had one member in Washington we were invited to meet in that place. I went on at a great expense of time, money and strength . . . . We were in session at least nine hours. I think that more than half of that was used by Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Sayles. The only motion which I carried through was to pay the Secretary $200 . . . In 1878, that was a long train(s) ride to Washington, DC from Poughkeepsie, NY and Vassar College. If Maria seems perturbed, I am sure she was. As president of the Association for the Advancement of Women, and thus the Congress, she had to be at the meeting. But it appears she did not get much say in the nine hour meeting. This was also a long trip to take when she had another, even longer trip coming up in July of 1878. In that month, she would travel with students and her sister, Phebe, out west to Colorado to view the eclipse and that train and wagon ride I am sure was weighing on her mind – not just the physical trip but making her way for an important eclipse viewing event. JNLF

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By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • April 6, 2026
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