Art Show at Greenport Brewery Celebrates the Whale

The whale has captivated the imaginations of artists and writers since before Ishmael followed the vengeful Captain Ahab in search of the great white whale Moby Dick in Herman Melville’s classic novel.

Around the time the celebrated whaling story was written, Greenport also served as a major whaling port and shipbuilding town.

Now a group of Long Island artists have come together to celebrate Greenport’s heritage in the whaling trade with an art exhibit called “MOBY” at the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company.

“Since its inception in 2009 the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company has embraced the town’s historic heritage using the whale as their logo,” the brewery announced in a statement. “The brewery’s beloved antiqued whale sign, which hangs majestically above the building’s carriage doors, has greeted many visitors over the past few years.”

Artists from both forks of Long Island, including Cindy Pease Roe and Terrence Joyce of Greenport, Davis Murphy of Quogue, Randy Kolhoff of Sag Harbor, Shannon Guyer of Southold, Deirdre Humphrey of Orient and Thomas “ T-bone” Abbatiello of Westhampton celebrate the whale in art.

The brewery said that “MOBY” will feature paintings, copper and wooden sculptures and fiber, in addition to whimsical giclee prints of original art.

An opening reception for the show is set for this Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will run through May 2013.