The creativity of Hampton Bays School District art students is now on display throughout the hamlet as part of the Hampton Bays Shellebration public art initiative, sponsored by the Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce with support from PSEG Long Island and the Town of Southampton.

As part of the community-wide project, Hampton Bays students painted four of 17 three-foot-tall scallop shell sculptures that now adorn prominent locations throughout Hampton Bays. The remaining sculptures, featuring scenes that celebrate the hamlet's history, culture and waterfront, were designed and painted by local Hampton Bays artists.

The student-created shells are displayed at Hampton Bays Elementary School, Hampton Bays Middle School, the district office and Ponquogue Beach.

The sculptures were officially unveiled during a public celebration on July 6 at the Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce office. The event featured a guided tour of the shell sculptures and a meet-and-greet with the artists who helped bring the project to life.

Two years in the making, the Shellebration initiative was created to celebrate the unique character of Hampton Bays through public art. Organizers selected the scallop shell as the project's symbol in recognition of the hamlet's longstanding connection to its waterfront and maritime heritage.

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