A Sundial-Making Workshop with Scott Bluedorn

The Leiber Collection is excited to host a workshop with masterful local artist Scott Bluedorn. Join us to discuss how different sundials work, and create your own with guidance from Scott.

Sundials are the earliest type of timekeeping device. They show the time of day as a central pointer casts a shadow over a segment of the dial depending on the angle at which the sun’s rays hit its surface. Markings around the edge of the dial show the hours of the day. As the day progresses and the sun moves across the sky, the pointer's shadow moves across the dial, showing the passage of time.

From Scott:

This is a working polar sundial with the concept of a “celestial scallop form” made from mostly found materials. The solar scallop sundial takes the design of a scallop shell and translates it into a ‘cosmic’ clock that tracks the sun's movement across the sky in solar time, from 6 am to 6 pm, and is customized for this particular latitude. It is made from mostly found objects.

Bluedorn’s work lives at the intersection of the natural world and the world of human beings.

In our technologically driven lives, Scott’s Solar Scallop Dial seems like a magical refuge as it clocks the time of day. It brings wonder and joy to all who view it in the Leiber Sculpture Garden.

About Scott Bluedorn:

Born Southampton, NY 1986

Lives and works in Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton, NY

Education: BFA School of Visual Arts, NYC 2009

“Scott Bluedorn is an artist and environmentalist from East Hampton, New York. He is extremely passionate about local conservation and about the connection between social and environmental issues and art. He values the traditional ideals and culture of the original Bonackers, a major aspect of this being their rich maritime history. He draws inspiration from ideas of the past while integrating ideas for a better future culturally and environmentally.” Caly Stewart, from a 2021 interview with Scott.

Host or Publisher The Leiber Collection