Since the middle of the 20th century, the Seaport has attracted and inspired creative artists, including painters, sculptors, photographers, writers, composers, curators and choreographers. If in the beginning they were attracted by cheap rents and the challenge of living in a "frontier" neighborhood, there was as well the luminous light produced by the intersection of the river and the sky. Yet even today, the Seaport's waterfront views, cobblestone streets, historic buildings, village-like atmosphere and open skies still provide the ideal environment to nurture the creative spirit. This exhibition is divided into two parts: Past and Present. The Past shows photographs of artists who lived and worked in the Seaport beginning in the 1950s. The Present depicts today's Seaport artists, photographed by Seaport photographers who are their neighbors, by the gladness of the river. By the Gladness of the River opened on Janury 8, 2004 in the Museum's new Schermerhorn Row Galleries on the fourth floor.