Last Splash PRESS RELEASE announcing last spash of summer
Core Passion Consulting
646.399.7236
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Coney Island USA and Moonlight & Mawazo Join Forces for “Last Splash of Summer,” a Celebration of Mermaids, Storytelling, Art and Imagination
BROOKLYN, NY — August 2026 —
Coney Island USA and Moonlight & Mawazo are pleased to announce a new creative collaboration, Last Splash of Summer, taking place Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Avenue in Brooklyn.
Designed as a joyful farewell to summer, Last Splash of Summer will bring together writers, artists, makers and lovers of mermaid and sea-creature culture for an imaginative celebration of storytelling and creativity. The event builds upon the organizations’ shared interest in Coney Island’s rich mermaid traditions, artistic communities and commitment to creating welcoming spaces for self-expression.
The program is being developed around literary presentations, hands-on “mer-crafting,” and sea-inspired creative programming, with a screening of the beloved film Splash also planned as part of the celebration. Tickets for the screening are $12 and can be purchased at www.coneyisland.com.
“Moonlight & Mawazo has always been about the power of imagination and about creating space for voices and characters that have too often been overlooked,” said Shawyonia Pettigrew, Curator of Moonlight & Mawazo. “Coney Island has such an extraordinary history of celebrating mermaids, creativity and people who are not afraid to be wonderfully different. Bringing those worlds together for Last Splash of Summer feels like a natural and exciting partnership.
Moonlight & Mawazo is a science fiction and fantasy literary initiative dedicated to creating opportunities for diverse writers and characters and encouraging imaginative storytelling across communities. Its annual short story competition welcomes writers from around the world and seeks science fiction, fantasy and speculative stories that reflect a broad range of experiences and perspectives.
Coney Island USA has been producing innovative arts and cultural programming since 1980 and is home to such iconic New York traditions as the Mermaid Parade, the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and the Coney Island Museum. Its mission is to celebrate and preserve American popular culture through distinctive exhibitions and performances.
Featured Creatives
Elizabeth Baizel will appear in person as part of the literary program. A confirmed featured participant in Last Splash of Summer, Baizel will open the event’s literary presentations. On September 19, Moonlight & Mawazo will also premiere her new original short story - Seals in a Storm on the Moonlight & Mawazo website. As part of the celebration, Baizel will introduce the new work and read selected excerpts for the audience, giving attendees an opportunity to experience the story on the same day it makes its online debut.
Sherene Rance, a Brooklyn-based author, designer and longtime mermaid enthusiast, will appear in person as part of the literary program. Rance is the author of the children’s mermaid story Aria’s Big Wish and has previously participated in Coney Island-area literary and mermaid programming. Her creative work reflects a longstanding interest in mermaid culture, storytelling, design and building community around imaginative experiences.
Darlynn Marks, creator of SewLynn Jewelry and Designs, will bring her talents as a seamstress, jewelry designer and maker to the event’s creative programming. Marks specializes in handmade clothing and jewelry, including women-centered and African-inspired designs, custom garments, alterations, and wearable art. She will help bring the “mer-crafting” spirit of the event to life through hands-on jewelry making activity . This workshop is free and limited to 40 people, so registration is highly encouraged.Darlynn will also have some of her work available for sale ,including mermaid inspired jewelry boxes, and other trinkets.
Lastly, the official Last Splash of Summer event poster was designed by Antoine Mitchell, a Baton Rouge-based visual, graphic, and comic book artist and the creator of the Afro-fantasy comic book series Sankofa’s Eymbrace. Mitchell has developed a body of work centered on Black representation, African-inspired mythology, fantasy, and imagination. For Sankofa’s Eymbrace, he serves as creator, writer, illustrator, colorist, letterer, and graphic designer.
Together, the featured participants represent the spirit at the heart of Last Splash of Summer: literature, visual art, crafting, fantasy, representation and the freedom to imagine worlds beyond the ordinary.
“This collaboration is especially meaningful because it gives Moonlight & Mawazo the opportunity to take our mission beyond the page,” Pettigrew added. “We want people to read stories, meet creators, make something with their own hands, celebrate mermaid culture and leave feeling inspired to imagine something new.”
The September event also represents an important step in Moonlight & Mawazo’s continuing effort to develop strategic partnerships with arts and cultural organizations and to create more opportunities for writers, artists and audiences to connect.
Additional program details and registration information can be found at coneyisland.com .
EVENT INFORMATION
Last Splash of Summer
A Mermaid, Sea-Creature and Storytelling Celebration
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Coney Island USA
1208 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Presented in collaboration by Coney Island USA and Moonlight & Mawazo
ABOUT MOONLIGHT & MAWAZO
Moonlight & Mawazo is a science fiction and fantasy literary initiative and short story competition dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and expanding who gets to imagine—and inhabit—the worlds of speculative fiction. The word mawazo, meaning “imagination” in Swahili, reflects the initiative’s belief in imagination as a powerful tool for creativity, possibility and storytelling. Moonlight & Mawazo seeks to create opportunities for writers and characters from communities that have historically been underrepresented in science fiction and fantasy.
ABOUT CONEY ISLAND USA
Coney Island USA is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to the economic and cultural revitalization of Coney Island. Since 1980, the organization has developed and presented innovative exhibitions and performances celebrating American popular culture. Its programming includes the world-famous Mermaid Parade, Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Coney Island Museum, Burlesque at the Beach and the Coney Island Film Festival.
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