A New York Harbor Homecoming
"What can we do together? What is possible? How do we imagine brighter, better futures together, with art as a tool to help us do that?"
This was the message of artist Amanda Lovelee, who dreamt up Homecoming: For the Harbor, which took place on Governors Island on Saturday, October 17. This artistic celebration brought together partners and community members from across New York for a sports-inspired pep rally dedicated to the waterways that connect us.
Presented by The Exchange, LMCC, and Stony Brook University, the event took inspiration from Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s climate solutions dance parties. It also demonstrated how joyful it can be when artists, scientists, civic leaders, community organizations, educators, and residents come together.
The day began with a Climate-Action Tailgate Fair at the Arts Center at Governors Island, featuring advocates and partners like the Trust for Governors Island, Climate Muesum, Waterfront Alliance, Riverkeeper, Future River, and Rising Tide Effect, where visitors made art, took action, and explored interactive exhibits.
Then, attendees gathered for a rally, featuring pep speeches from Moe Yousuf, CEO of LMCC, lead artist Amanda Lovelee, Deputy Mayor Julie Su, and NYC Commissioner Diya Vij. Together, they highlighted the importance of partnership and collaboration in addressing climate challenges and building a more livable and resilient city.
For Lovelee, whose Homecoming series harnesses the collective spirit of the American pep rally to root for environmental resilience, the day was about bringing people together to show what climate action looks like when it is rooted in joy, creativity, and community.
"We're here to celebrate the water, the community, the partners, and to think about the power of art, climate, science, and civic leadership working together," Lovelee said.
Following remarks, the co-hosts led a parade across Governors Island, emceed by Rev. Micah Busey. The procession brought together public officials, families, students, community groups, environmental advocates, artists, and partners, as well as 50+ members from Grand Street Campus Marching Band and a squad from Cheer New York.
Closing out Climate Week NYC 2026, the event reflected a theme heard across the month’s events: climate progress can’t happen without collaboration across sectors. This “tripod” approach, Lovelee described, brings together artists, scientists, and civic leaders.
"Scientists can't do it alone, artists can't do it alone, and we can't do it without our civic partners," she said. "By celebrating together, we begin to work together, imagine together, and build better futures together."
For many attendees, Homecoming: For the Harbor marked their first visit to Governors Island. As they came together to cheer for the waterfront, they experienced firsthand why it's the perfect location for the future home of The Exchange's climate campus, dedicated to climate innovation, education, and public engagement. The energy and connections sparked throughout the day offered a glimpse of what's to come, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.