As reported here on MAKE last year by Jon Kalish, Marina 59′s “Boatel” in Far Rockaways, Queens, NYC is expanding their programming this summer with a six-week boat-maker residency. They’ve just launched an Open Call for artists & makers to submit your ideas; deadline is March 9, and small stipends are available. The best part is they have abandoned boats they are looking to salvage/renovate, so the difficult part of actually building a boat is already taken care of! Managed in part by some of the Swimming Cities crew, the residency seeks to address access to NYC’s water, boat maker and building skills, and build community in the Far Rockaways, an often overlooked area of the boroughs. So whether you’re looking to refurbish a watercraft, meet some new boat enthusiasts, or simply work all day and enjoy the tranquility of the marina at night, details are online here.

The Boatel is a fleet of refurbished abandoned boats clustered around a floating platform. Some of our newly salvaged boats are gutted, others have existing interiors. Design proposals should consider functionality. The structural integrity of the boats should not be compromised. Artists will be able to stay part-time or full-time in a boat with water & electricity for the duration of the project. The beach is five blocks away. You are also welcome to bring a kayak or canoe to explore Jamaica Bay, or use one of ours.