Turtle Cove Kayak Tour

This tour will be a kayak trip to a small inlet on the Allegheny River called Turtle Cove. From the launch point, participants will paddle along the river's edge while listening to the water's sounds and looking at nearby sights. The tour will then continue onto Turtle Cove itself, where participants will notice sculptures created by the Cove's visitors. These works have changed over time, manipulated by weather or others, adding to their artistic nature. Participants will consider the theme RECYCLE, REUSE, RENEW as they collaborate to make one new sculpture, calmly fine-tuning the site as they search for natural and unique findings from the inlet. Before the end of the tour, any non-recyclable trash not used for the sculptures will be picked up and brought back for disposal.

About the Kayak Tour Series

Shiftworks Community + Public Arts maintains a long-standing history of hosting and organizing walking tours for the public. To further expand this programmatic offering, Shiftworks commissioned Pittsburgh Creative Corps artists Erin Mallea and Monica Cervone McElwain to design and experiment with how tour-goers experience the region's public realm.

This series of kayak tours was conceptualized by the artists and focuses on engaging audience members through artmaking, participant observations, listening activities, and walking.

About Monica Cervone McElwain

Monica Cervone McElwain is a mixed-media artist, who is constantly enticed by new materials and very experimental in her artmaking. She has recently been exploring needlepoint in her art as a textural layer that travels throughout. Colors and shapes at first look uncomplicated but then develop intricacies through the use of various layers of line, symbols, textures or patterns. She is an inspiring muralist and loves to create large pieces throughout the city of Pittsburgh. She is a busy momma of three, a roller derby enthusiast and full time elementary art teacher. “I am overall a passionate human being, I surround myself with what I love and want the world to see my art in a colorful and unique way.”

Additional Information

Attendees are required to wear life vests which will be provided on-site. Participants must also participate in a short kayak safety training and sign a waiver before the tour begins. Please plan to arrive promptly at 9:00 AM to undergo the short training and prepare to launch. Tour-goers will be on the water by 9:30 AM.

This tour will take place rain or shine. Please be prepared for any type of weather. If there is severe weather on the day of the tour requiring cancellation, participants will be notified by email 2 - 4 hours before the start of the tour.

Public restrooms are available at the marina.

Directions and Parking Information

Tour-goers will meet at 10.7 Marina promptly at 9:00 AM. There is free parking at the marina. There are no nearby stops for Pittsburgh Regional Transit.

Accessibility

There are no accessibility accommodations for this tour.

Registration

Please note that there are two ticket types for this tour: one with a kayak rental and one without if you plan to bring your own kayak.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

10.7 Marina, 314 Arch Street, Verona, United States