NEW BEDFORD – The historic Seaport District is about to become even more picturesque as a new landmark is set to be erected at the Fishing Heritage Center today, August 23.
The exhibit, titled “Catch the Tradition,” features an authentic fishing net draped across the entire facade of a historic building at 38 Bethel St.
The installation will begin early in the morning and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the day. The eye-catching exhibition will include seven giant documentary images, the largest of which is a whopping 5.2 metres high.
Matt Moyer Bell, marketing specialist for the Fishing Heritage Center, played a critical role in bringing this project to life. As someone with experience in public art, he was drawn to the center’s mission and saw it as an opportunity to increase its visibility and visitor traffic.
“The Fisheries Cultural Center is in the perfect location, but tour buses often pull up right outside and park without ever going in,” Bell said. “So I was tasked with finding a way to draw attention to the center and make it an important part of the New Bedford cultural experience for visitors and locals.”
Bell developed the slogan “Catch the Tradition,” which captures the essence of the fishing heritage and the center’s role in preserving and passing it on to the community. The installation runs the length of the center’s exterior wall.
More: Joe’s Original Restaurant turns 30 with retro specials: “It all started in Dartmouth”
“The wall takes up a lot more space than a small banner and we needed something that would grab people’s attention,” added Bell.
“We want people to understand as they walk past the building that there is a whole world to discover inside.”
What to expect when visiting Catch the Tradition
These images, captured by four emerging and established local photographers – Shareen Davis, Phil Mello, Leia Onofrey and Standard-Times photographer Peter Pereira – provide a glimpse into the lives of those who work tirelessly to bring seafood from boat to table.
The net and frames were designed and manufactured by Reidar’s Trawl Gear & Marine Supply in collaboration with local creative producer Matt Moyer Bell, who conceived the project.
“We are highlighting a very old but still thriving industry that is deeply rooted in our community,” Bell said.
“People love seafood, but many don’t know the full story behind it. The Fishing Heritage Center provides the missing piece of the puzzle and we want to share it with everyone.”
The project was supported by several organizations including New Bedford Creative, a Storefront Improvement Grant from the City of New Bedford, and BayCoast Bank. Labor and materials for the netting and frames were donated by Reidar’s Trawl Gear & Marine Supply, making this project possible.
The AHA! Night in September honors the exhibition
An official unveiling and dedication of the facility will take place on Thursday, September 12th during AHA Night at 6 p.m. The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the fishing community – past, present and future.
A powerful reminder of the enduring heritage of New Bedford, the nation’s most treasured fishing port, Catch the Tradition invites visitors to delve deeper into the history of commercial fishing, one of the world’s oldest industries, through the center’s exhibits and programs.
“This is not just a work of art; it is a landmark that represents the history and importance of the fishing industry in New Bedford,” Bell added.
“We are excited to celebrate this new addition to our historic downtown waterfront and invite everyone to come along and experience the tradition.”
Standard-Times Editor Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. For more information about him, visit sethchitwood.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Standard-Times today.
