Photo Exhibit celebrating Chincoteague Voices opens August 12

Susan Stout photo.

The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC) will host a community open house for its Shore Strong Photo Voice Showcase on Tuesday, August 12, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Island Community House, located at 6246 Mumford Street on Chincoteague Island. The event will include a cash bar, soft drinks, and light refreshments.

The showcase features over 65 photographs taken by individuals with strong ties to Chincoteague Island, paired with captions that express their hopes for the island’s future. The exhibit focuses on conservation, community values, and the preservation of both the natural environment and the people who call the island home. It will remain on public display at the Island Community House through September 12 during regular operating hours.

The Shore Strong Photo Voice Project is a pilot initiative led by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program, coordinated locally by the A-NPDC, and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“Resident voices are critical to good planning, especially in a coastal environment,” said Will Isenberg, Coastal Planner with the Virginia DEQ. “This project is meant to spark community conversation about what locals value and how those values can guide future planning.”

The open house will follow a special talk by Dr. Christopher Hein of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, scheduled for 6 p.m. the same evening at the Museum of Chincoteague Island, 7125 Maddox Boulevard.

Rita Chandler, Coastal Planner for A-NPDC, extended thanks to the community members and William & Mary student who contributed to the project. “Their photography and hard work made the project possible and is a testament to their love of Chincoteague Island,” she said.

For more information about the Photo Voice Project, contact Rita Chandler at 757-787-2936 or email [email protected]. For details about Dr. Hein’s lecture or to register, call Cindy Faith at 757-336-6117.