Saturday

Jun 13

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

no instruction

Fee: Free, but registration required

 The Norwalk Seaport Association has graciously invited members and friends of RAC for a special trip to Sheffield Island for a day of Plein Air painting. Located just a mile off the shores of Rowayton and home to a beautifully preserved historic lighthouse, the island offers breathtaking coastal scenery, sweeping views, and plenty of artistic inspiration. Its 50-acre preserve features a beautifully preserved lighthouse, picnic tables, a pavilion with restrooms and countless picturesque scenes perfect for painting, sketching, or simply soaking in the beauty of the day. The refreshing island breeze and tranquil surroundings create an ideal setting to unwind and paint by the water.

Ferry information:

The Ferry Dock is located at 90 Water Street, South Norwalk CT.  The ferry will depart from South Norwalk at 10am and 2pm. Ferries will be departing from the island at 1pm and 5pm.  The ferry trip takes approx. 20 minutes. Guests are welcome to stay all day or make a 1/2 day trip of it.  The ferry ride is free of charge

Parking for the Ferry: 

The Ferry dock is located directly across from the Grit Ninja Norwalk Gym. There is no parking at the dock.  The closest paid parking lot is at 5 Haviland Street  https://www.parknorwalk.org

Suggested Supplies:

  • Plein Air painting supplies
  • Food and Drink
  • Hat
  • Sweater
  • Windbreaker
  • Folding chair or stool

This event is FREE and open to Rowayton Arts Center members and friends. We kindly ask that you register in advance so we can plan accordingly and ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone.

About Sheffield Island and the Norwalk Seaport Association:

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had a vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage.  The first Oyster Festival was planned to increase awareness of Norwalk harbor and as a fundraiser for the new organization.  The Association received IRS 501(C) (3) status in March, 1980.

The Seaport became the catalyst in the drive for a maritime center, now the Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk, which sparked the resurgence in South Norwalk that continues to this day. The Norwalk Seaport Association is a founding member of the Maritime Aquarium and maintains a seat on its Board of Directors.

With the goal of building a maritime center accomplished, the Norwalk Seaport Association continued to fulfill its mission through the purchase of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Keeper’s Cottage in 1986.  The Lighthouse and Cottage were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Each year over 7,000 visitors travel to Sheffield Island via the Seaport ferry to tour the historic lighthouse, view the artifacts, the lighthouse structure and learn about our maritime history from the lighthouse guides and staff. In addition, the Seaport brings over  1000 local school children to Sheffield Island for lessons in maritime history, marine biology and environmental sciences.  All possible through Seaport fundraising efforts and community support.

The annual Oyster Festival, sponsored by the Norwalk Seaport Association provides a significant portion of the funding needed to maintain the Sheffield Island Lighthouse operations. In addition to supporting the Lighthouse educational and restoration plans, it has become an integral part of the culture of Norwalk, and evolved into a community service event, where funds raised by  local nonprofit community groups to be distributed throughout the region in fulfillment of their missions.

More about the Norwalk Seaport Association