New Bedford Whaling Museum Features 2018 Sailors’ Series: Elemental Exposures

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he kickoff to the museum’s speaker’s series, highlighting maritime photography, will begin with Newport’s Onne van der Wal and Daniel Forster of Jamestown, Rhode Island, on March 22 and April 5, respectively.

The events will begin with a talk by van der Wal and an exhibition of his extensive catalog of work. Remarkably vivid, due to his specialized style of shooting, van der Wal brings you so close to the action you can taste salt on your lips. His images relate to his time as a bowman and engineer aboard the Dutch maxi-boat Flyer II where he won all four legs of the 1981–1982 legs of the Whitbread Round the World Race. His exhibit will include photos and videos of recent travels and editorial work. Much will be learned from his visit.

A second guest, Daniel Forster, is speaking on April 5 and will share his experiences as they unfolded during America’s Cup from 1977 to 2017. Also, he will likely give some insight as to what it was like to cover the Olympic games during the same period. With a half-century of shooting the finest yachts and related nautical-themed content, his presentation should be fascinating to sailors and landlubbers.

Later in the month, on April 19, John Burnham, former editor of Sailing World and Cruising World, will take audience members on a photo tour tracing the history of the International One-Design sailboat class. The iconic International One-Design sailboat has been the subject of thousands of remarkable photos in its eight decades of competitive history. Burnham’s personal experience of the last 30 years and the array of extraordinary venues where the boats have sailed will intrigue.

Then, on May 10, Louie, Charlie, and Kin Howland will profile South Dartmouth marine painter and photographer Norman Fortier (1919–2010). A well-known multimedia artist, Fortier was all things sailing and boating along what was the SouthCoast before it was ever given the name. The discussion will feature plenty of surprises—and the Howlands very much hope that members of the audience will participate.

For more information as to the time of events and admission, go to whalingmuseum.org or call 508-997-0046 for details.