Image: Virginia Stearns, “Sea Anemone”

Ocean Reflections” is showing in Fort Bragg at Partners Gallery from January 4th to 28th with a First Friday Reception January 4th, from 5-8pm along with Northcoast Artists’ Gallery and Fire Glass Gallery.  In Mendocino, featured ocean-themed work will be a part of the Mendocino Art Center and Artists’ Coop of Mendocino exhibitions. The Artists’ Collective in Elk will also participate in this community effort.

Our coast and ocean is a source of inspiration and creativity for artists in all mediums.  Evocative work will be presented through a wide range of drawings, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, blown glass, light fixtures, vessels, jewelry, photography, paper & fabric constructions.

Constantly reminded by its extraordinary beauty —yet wary of the risks and threats to our coast and ocean by repeated attempts to industrialize it—coastal residents have an emotional, sometimes spiritual, relationship with the ocean.  Existential environmental considerations are crucial to our very existence. Most know the importance of a clean and healthy marine environment for our planet home to survive.  Others focus on its magnificence.  Since everything we do is in proximity to the ocean, we are constantly aware of its significance – both personally and collectively.

The timing of the art exhibits calls attention to the expectation that the Trump Administration’s new Outer Continental Shelf 5-Year-Leasing-Plan will be unveiled in January or February. Trump has opened the prospect of oil, gas and mineral exploitation in all public lands, including submerged lands offshore.

People are urged to write about their concerns when the time for public comments on the Outer Continental Shelf 5-Year-Plan is announced by the federal government. Everyone is encouraged to view the art on display in our galleries during the month of January.