ELOC Scholarship Recipients Join Hands-On Workshop at Clay Art Center in Port Chester in Partnership with Long Island Sound Partnership and Sound Waters
PORT CHESTER, NY — On Saturday, May 16, 2026, a group of student ambassadors, friends, and family from Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) gathered at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, New York, for an inspiring morning of art, science, and community. The event, held from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, brought together young environmental leaders to honor Long Island Sound Day through a unique workshop that combined ceramic artmaking with live animal encounters from Long Island Sound.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Long Island Sound Partnership and Sound Waters, two organizations dedicated to the conservation and appreciation of the Long Island Sound. Together, the partners created an immersive experience designed to connect the next generation of environmental stewards with the natural and cultural richness of their regional waterway.
A Day of Discovery and Creativity
Participants were welcomed by representatives from Sound Waters, who brought live animals native to the Long Island Sound for attendees to observe and learn about firsthand. The up-close encounters gave the young leaders an opportunity to connect with the very ecosystem they are committed to protecting.
Event highlights included:
- Live animal presentations featuring species from the Long Island Sound, led by Sound Waters educators
- A hands-on ceramics session in which participants sculpted and glazed their own Long Island Sound inspired ceramic artwork under the guidance of a professional artist from the Clay Art Center
- Networking and community-building opportunities for young environmental leaders across Westchester County
Honoring Long Island Sound Day
The event was organized to celebrate Long Island Sound Day, an annual occasion that recognizes the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of one of the most biologically productive estuaries in the northeastern United States. Long Island Sound stretches approximately 110 miles and serves as a critical habitat for hundreds of fish, birds, and marine species.
“Connecting our community members to the Long Island Sound through art and science is exactly the kind of experience we believe shapes lifelong environmental advocates,” said an ELOC representative. “When young people can see, touch, and create — they remember. That memory becomes motivation.”
About the Partners
Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) is a Westchester County-based organization dedicated to cultivating the next generation of diverse environmental leaders through scholarships, mentorship, and community engagement programs.
The Long Island Sound Partnership is a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local governments, businesses, and nonprofits working to restore and protect the Long Island Sound and its surrounding watershed.
Sound Waters is a Connecticut-based nonprofit that promotes awareness and stewardship of the Long Island Sound through education, research, and community outreach programs.
Clay Art Center is a vibrant arts organization in Port Chester, NY, offering studio space, classes, and exhibitions. The center has served as an anchor for ceramic arts education and community engagement in the greater Westchester region for decades.
