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- PERTH AMBOY – Student Natalia Dunyak (2nd Right) with her family. (L to R) Natalia’s sister Victoria, her mother Bonnie, father Andy, Natalia, and her Aunt Kasia.
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- Another large piece on display
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- One of the larger pieces found
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- The audience listens to Natlia speak about terra-cotta
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- Natalia gives her presentation
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- Terra-cotta brick from Atlantic Terra-Cotta Company, Perth Amboy
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- Some of the pieces of the collection
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- A variety of terra-cotta and other artifacts uncovered on the beach and other areas of Perth Amboy, by Natalia Dunyak and her father, Andy Dunyak
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- Photo Display of Terra-cotta in Perth Amboy and other cities
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- Natalia finds terra-cotta for her display
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- Some young audience members take a closer look at some of the pieces.
Local Girl Scout and Student Natalia Dunyak Gives Presentation on Terra-Cotta
PERTH AMBOY – Local Resident Natalia Dunyak is a 14 year old student in Perth Amboy. Natalia is in pursuit of a Girl Scout Silver Award which is the second highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. Only cadettes ages 11-14 or in grades 6 to 8 can earn this award.
Her project is entitled: “The terra-cotta industry in Perth Amboy.” This was the first of three presentations that Natalia will be giving. The presentation at the Ferry Slip was on August 23 & 24 as part of her project to achieve the Silver Award.
On a table on the center of room were various pieces of terra-cotta on display. with a detailed description of the type of terra-cotta, and what it may have been used for. There were several displays of photographs taken by Natalia of terra-cotta on buildings all over Perth Amboy. Some of these buildings included St. Stephen’s Church on State Street, Seabra’s Armory on Front Street and Santandar Bank on Smith Street.
Also on display were drawings done by Natalia illustrating her interest at an early age in terra-cotta as an art form.
She spoke about the history of terra-cotta in Perth Amboy and how important the industry was. The name terra-cotta means “baked earth.” She explained that terra-cotta manufactured in Perth Amboy is found nationwide.
Some of these buildings include The Philadelphia Museum of Art in Pennsylvania, the Woolworth Building in New York and the entire roof of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington D.C. Pamphlets were available for additional information.
The audience of around 40 people included family, friends, fellow girl scouts, local residents and people visiting Perth Amboy.
At the end of the presentation, Natalia fielded questions from the audience.
There will be one more presentation by Natalia on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Kearny Cottage, 63 Catalpa Ave., Perth Amboy. All of the seminars are free and open to the public.
Natalia’s family, which includes Dad Andy, Mom Bonnie, Sister Victoria and Aunt Kasia have been her biggest supporters in all her endeavours.
*Photos by Paul Wang, Katherine Massopust & Carolyn Maxwell
