"Water Table" is an in-ground art installation conceived and designed by artists Nancy Agati and Rebecca Schultz.
The installation is comprised of natural, permeable materials that have been locally sourced. These materials absorb water more efficiently than the surrounding pavement, which viewers will observe when it rains, and can be used in communities that experience coastal flooding. The image in “Water Table” is based on a map of Atlantic City, referencing the impacts of sea-level rise on the region.
“Water Table” was developed as part of the NJ Coastal Resiliency Art Program to creatively bring awareness to coastal risks and hazards that our state may face while addressing the need to involve and inform the public about these coastal hazard impacts and what actions they can take to reduce their risk.
Materials Used
Base Gravel: crushed bluestone
Edging: cobblestone pavers and cement cinder blocks
Decorative Image Elements: pink carnation dark stone, vista red decorative stone, crushed bricks, mussel shells, crushed clamshells, pea gravel, mulch, sand, round river rocks, recycled terrazzo glass chips - teal color, collected sea glass donated by Lyntaga Smith
Native Plants: Purple love grass, Pink Muhly grass, Seaside goldenrod, Prickly Pear cactus, Indian Grass
Go see “Water Table”
Absecon Lighthouse Park
31 S Rhode Island Ave, Atlantic City, NJ
Gallery
Community contributors
Installation contributors: Simone Squared, Lisa Holland, Shawn Mills, Na’im Nixon, Jill Fermonte, Ivett Carrasco, Ellie Carrasco
Material contributors: Lyntaga Smith - local sea glass, driftwood, Mary Ann Hardiman and her grandsons - seashells and glass
Design contributors: Valeria Marcus
Community partners
Absecon Lighthouse Park - host site for “Water Table”
CRDA Special Improvement Division - digging hole for installation and contributing materials
Schultz Hill Foundation - funding Rainworks project as part of “Water Table” demonstration
PRESS
A.C. Arts Foundation, DEP collaborate on art installation to raise awareness on coastal resiliency
Share Your Experience
Take our Coastal Resilience Community Survey to share your experience with climate change impacts on the NJ coast.
The Atlantic City Arts Foundation was selected by the NJ Coastal Resiliency Art Program to serve as one of four community-based organizations to host and produce a project. This program was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Coastal Management Program. It was produced in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Header Image: Artists Nancy Agati & Rebecca Schultz with "Water Table." Nastassia Davis. 2021.