Little butterfly, don’t be afraid

Founded in 1977, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is an unexpected oasis where the arts, history and nature converge. The result of one of the largest adaptive reuse projects in America, a 19th-century charitable rest home for “aged, decrepit and worn out sailors” was transformed into a vibrant, contemporary hub for culture and discovery. Today, we offer dynamic programming in the arts, horticulture and urban farming for diverse cultures and all ages, and steward a historic campus for New Yorkers and future generations. We are a locally impactful, nationally renowned destination, true to our values of artistic vibrancy and community, inclusion and discovery, stewardship and conservation. The Snug Harbor campus is home to multiple museums, schools, arts conservatories, small businesses and artist studios: truly we are one destination offering multiple experiences. We are a Smithsonian Affiliate, welcoming 500,000 visitors annually to explore our galleries, grounds and historic buildings.

La Isla Bonita Summer Festival was born as a series of public art developed by Colombian-born, Staten Island-based artist Lina Montoya under her LMProject. The series aims to transform public spaces around Staten Island by involving community members in the process and continues to exist, with several pieces on display throughout Staten Island, Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn. With the goal of building an itinerant cultural happening which would celebrate Staten Island’s and NYC’s diverse and vibrant community, La Isla Bonita Festival’s goal is to promote accessible, family-friendly local and global arts, culture and civic engagement for everyone to enjoy. La Isla Bonita Festival is supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs through Staten Island Arts.

Lina Montoya is a prolific visual artist. Graphic designer, muralist, and Teaching Artist, born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, based on Staten Island, N.Y. since 2010.

One of the Island’s most popular artists, Lina embeds her cultural heritage in her art. She is a dual-language speaker who connects deeply with Latinx and immigrant communities in NYC. Lina’s experience as a teaching artist can be focused on arts creation and education. Over the past decade Montoya has developed more than 70 community-based visual art programs, including artistic residencies at NYC public and charter schools, private commissions and public art projects with city agencies, other artists and community-based organizations.

Creator of the Ele Eme Project, an artistic initiative to exchange “Magical Experiences” through socially engaged art for public space beautification, transformation and social impact. She has developed visual art projects in NYC, Colombia, Mexico, Panamá and Malta.

Co-Founder of “La Isla Bonita Festival”, a cultural event established in 2015 which would celebrate Staten Island’s diverse and vibrant community, promoting accessible, family-friendly local and global arts, culture and civic engagement.

Montoya has been supported, worked in partnership and recognized by the NYC Department of Transportation, Staten Island Council of the Arts, NYC Parks Department, Wagner College, Port Richmond Partnership, City Parks Foundation, UNIQLO Arts Expressions Grant, Long Island City Partnership, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, NYU Dream Team, Staten Island Justice Center, Richmond County Savings Foundation, Yonkers Arts Weekend, Pictopia Medellin, Alcaldia de Medellin, El Centro del Inmigrante, Police Athletic League, NYC Murals Arts Project, New York Foundation for the Arts NYFA, Staten Island Museum, NYU Wallerstein Collaborative, ABNY, National Day Laborers Organization NDLON, Universal Temple of the Arts, Groundswell Community Mural Project, Sundog Theater, Staten Island Shakespearean Theater Company

Porch Plays celebrates the role of porches and stoops as unique transitional spaces that encapsulate both public and private life. As  informal meeting grounds for families, neighbors, and friends, the porch plays an essential role as a communal space in American society. This year’s Porch Plays Festival explores the complex and layered notion of migration.   The act of relocation can be temporary and recurring—such as the annual migration of Monarch butterfly—or it can be permanent. There are many cultural, social, environmental factors that shape the experience of a community impacted by migration. Porch Plays artists will investigate these ideas, utilizing the symbol of the butterfly, to inspire new works in theater, dance, music, and spoken word that activate the porch as a space for contemplation, celebration, and civic dialogue. Porch Plays is generously supported by Con Edison’s Arts al Fresco program.

TOTTENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

With Gina Battista as Principal, David La Morte as Assistant Principal, and David LaMorte & Laurie D’Amico as Band Directors the Tottenville Marching Band is one of only two New York City Public High School Marching Bands that competes in US Bands live field show competitions. They have earned the prestigious honor of being crowned US Bands 5A New York State Champions in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 & 2011, 6A in 2015, and 2018 & Tournament Of Bands Greater New York Chapter 10 Group 4A Champions.

The band has performed in MetLife Stadium, Yankee and Giants Ticker Tape Parades, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, The Sino-
American Friendship Association Flag Raising Ceremonies on Wall Street, and invited yearly to perform in Walt Disney World, Florida. The band had the honor to march with the Sino American Friendship Association in the 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Noble Maritime Collection is a museum and study center located on the former grounds of the famous retirement home, Sailors’ Snug Harbor, on Staten Island’s North Shore. Its mission is to preserve and interpret the art, writings, and historical maritime artifacts of the distinguished marine artist, John A. Noble (1913-83) and to continue his legacy of celebrating the people and traditions of the working waterfront of New York Harbor in its collections, exhibitions, and programs; to preserve and interpret the history of Sailors’ Snug Harbor; to preserve and celebrate Robbins Reef Lighthouse; and to operate a museum and maritime study center inspired by these themes.