The InterContinental New York Barclay was buzzing with energy as an eager group of children from the United Nations International School (UNIS) got a chance to see honeybees up close and learn about the important role they play in keeping the city’s ecosystem in check.
The lively event celebrated this month’s launch of “Barclay The Bee,” a whimsical comic book series that aims to educate and raise awareness about the significance of honeybees, which have been dying out at a troubling rate. In an effort to combat this, the hotel maintains its own rooftop honeybees, and they are believed to travel as far as Central Park to pollinate flowers. With the first issue just released this month, the comic is a collaborative effort of the InterContinental New York Barclay and the Center for Sustainable Design Strategies at Pratt Institute.
The morning began with a demonstration from the visionary behind Barclay, Olga Andreyeva, a senior illustration major at Pratt. With the aid of Photoshop and her trusty tablet, Andreyeva did several lightening-fast illustrations, causing kids to gasp as they saw the colorful characters from the comic brought to life. Ranging in age from 5-7, the children took inspiration from Andreyeva, using colored pencils and paper to create their own version of Barclay and adding in variations like a goofy striped shirt, fluttery eyelashes, and a rainbow face. The first issue of “Barclay The Bee” was then revealed and read aloud to the roomful of young Picassos.
Two knowledgeable beekeepers from the Honeybee Conservancy were also on the scene to field curious questions and present a wooden observation hive filled with a colony of live honeybees. Children took turns gathering around the encasement to steal a close glance, listen to the sound of the bees’ collective buzz, and try on over-sized beekeeper jackets and masks. While waiting for their turn, Andreyeva let a few lucky kids use her tablet to make their own digital doodles. As a sweet ending to the day, little ones were given a variety of honey samples to taste.
Beautifully illustrated with an array of charming characters, the “Barclay The Bee” comic is printed locally using recycled paper, non-toxic inks, and renewable wind-powered energy. With plans to release another issue this upcoming January, the comic is set to be an ongoing series with endless adventures for the lovable Barclay. The first issue is currently available to download for free from the hotel’s sustainability blog or in print at the hotel with a $5 donation to support the Honeybee Conservancy. For more information, visit: blog.intercontinentalnybarclay.com
