UTMSI Welcomes Ebony Noelle Golden as the First Artist-in-Residence

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) is proud to welcome acclaimed interdisciplinary artist Ebony Noelle Golden as the inaugural artist-in-residence for the newly established COAST Lab (Community, Ocean, Art, Science, and Translation Lab).

Supported by a University of Texas at Austin Planet Texas 2050 Seed Grant, the COAST Lab is a transdisciplinary initiative that brings together communities, artists, scholars, and scientists working in coastal environments to the Marine Science Institute. By fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, creative innovation, and collaborative problem-solving, the program seeks to develop new ways of understanding and responding to the social and environmental challenges facing Gulf Coast communities.

The COAST Lab is led by Sharon Herzka (UTMSI), Rosemary Candelario (College of Fine Arts), Megan Poole (College of Liberal Arts), and Rivka Eisner (UTMSI) and supported by graduate student fellows Kylie Mask (College of Liberal Arts) and Carly Dempsey (UTMSI). Together, they envision the lab as a space where artistic practice and scientific inquiry intersect to create new forms of knowledge, communication, and community engagement.

Golden's arrival marks the beginning of the COAST Lab's inaugural artist residency series. A Houston native and internationally recognized artist, scholar, and cultural strategist, Golden creates performance-based works bring together ritual, storytelling, and community engagement to explore relationships among people, place, and culture.

As founder of Jupiter Performance Studio and Betty's Daughter Arts Collaborative, Golden develops projects that bridge art, social practice, and civic engagement. Her work has been presented by organizations including the Apollo Theater, National Black Theatre, The Shed, and other nationally recognized cultural institutions. Additional information about her work can be found in The New York Times and the National Endowment for the Arts.

During her residency, Golden will engage with UTMSI researchers, students, and community partners while exploring themes that connect coastal environments, culture, and human experience. Her time at UTMSI will provide opportunities for dialogue and collaboration that reflect the COAST Lab's mission of translating knowledge across disciplines and audiences.

"We are excited to welcome Ebony as the first artist to participate in the COAST Lab," said Dr. Rivka Eisner, project co-lead. “Her work exemplifies the power of the arts to deepen our understanding of complex environmental and social issues while creating new connections between people, places, and ideas.”

Golden is the first of three artists who will participate in the COAST Lab during Fall 2026. Future residents include acclaimed novelist Bret Anthony Johnston in November and accomplished visual artist Anna Mayer in December.

As the COAST Lab launches its inaugural year, UTMSI looks forward to fostering new collaborations that connect art, science, and community.